Wednesday Group

This group arranges walks every Wednesday which are led by experienced
members. Walks are taken at a relaxed pace with distances between
3 and 8 miles.
All walks include at least one stop for refreshments or just to
enjoy the view. We sometimes use public transport to get to the
start of a walk.
Apart from local walks, London walks are very popular taking in
parks and gardens north and south of the Thames, while exploring
places of interest en route such as the Thames Barrier, Greenwich
Observatory and Hampstead Heath.
An annual coach trip is arranged for visits to places of interest.
Over recent years we have had a varied programme of visits including
Hatfield House, Slimbridge, Chartwell and Arundel.
Our year always finishes with a sociable walk and a Christmas
lunch.
To find out more about our walks and events please see
the Walks Programme.

Torrential rain fails
to spoil a great day out
Trip to Arundel Castle, Wednesday 11th July
The coach departed promptly in bright sunshine despite road closures
because of the Olympic Torch procession earlier that morning. Travelling
through some lovely countryside, we arrived at Arundel in good time.
Unfortunately dark ominous clouds began to build up and it started
to pour with rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Some of
the party escaped the deluge in a nearby cafe and hopefully the
rest of the party made it to the castle before the rain began.
Arundel Castle stands at the top of a hill overlooking the town.
It has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors
for nearly 900 years. The castle was restored in the current Victorian
Gothic design during the late 19th century at great expense.
After the storm had passed, the sun shone briefly and some of us
made for the castle gardens which comprise a new formal garden called
The Collectors Earls Garden, and extensive herbaceous borders, kitchen
and fruit areas, with many glass houses displaying exotic plants.
The new formal garden included a domed pergola and fountains and
a rockwork mountain planted with palms and ferns. The gardens were
very impressive despite the vast puddles. Heavy rain then started
to fall so it was time to visit the shelter of the castle. On the
way, the Fitzallan Chapel was visited which is the burial place
of the Dukes of Norfolk and has some grand tombs.
In the castle there were many rooms open to the public with paintings,
furniture , tapestries, china and clocks on display. There was also
an impressive armoury. The keep involved climbing steep and narrow
steps with parts open to the elements . By now it was raining hard
so views from the top of the Keep were limited. There was a garderobe
at the top of the keep and one could only sympathise with the inhabitants
who had to use it in days of old in inclement weather. Some rooms
in the keep depicted characters and scenes from the Civil War.
Despite the weather it was a very interesting day. Thank you Sheila
for arranging the outing.
Dennis and Linda Rumble
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