Monday 13 December 2021

To the woods men, again!

Mad Midweeks

Following on from the success of our last mini break, before the start of the zombie apocalypse lockdown, we thought we'd try another now things were easing up. David suggested a cycle to a camp, go for a walk and then cycle back. Not long, three days. A Mini adventure.

Good idea!

Mad Midweek two - Lea Vally and Epping Forest

Well, not really midweek - Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.

This time we invited Keith along.

Again we let Komoot plan our route, this time via Keith's place near Brent Cross. At the last minute Keith dropped out, but I kept the route as it promised to travel through more parks, including Hampstead Heath, than the more direct route through Finchley. However all I can remember of that day, part from an excellent pint in the Talley Ho, North Finchley, were the busy roads!

Views of London open up as we near our destination.

Finally we turned North up the Lea Valley along first cycleways before finally along the much better A-roads along side the River Lea. Roads that the local petrol heads seem to use as a test track.

'Base Camp' for the weekend was 'Lea Valley Campsite, Sewardstone'. A large site obviously catering for families.

A very friendly bunch of people. In fact, every where we went we met smiling helpful people.

After some confusing directions we pitched up where we thought we ought to be. We're still not sure we pitched in the right place!

it was getting late so we went to The Plough, just up the road. More smiling faces and good food. Eventually. Service was a bit slow.

Nettle tea for a night cap. Yes, I forgot the decaf!

A noisey night followed. Families, huh?

The following day we breakfasted at the excellent Valley Cafe. Fortified, we explored Epping Forest, taking a very pleasant meandering route to the King's Oak Hotel. It was was completely jammed. The visitor centre on the other hand was empty!