We hope that everyone will be able to enjoy walking with others of the same ability. So often if we walk on our own there are times that we ‘get out of the habit’ of going out regularly!!!
Walking with members of Cardiac Friends, everyone chats and benefits from the exercise at the same time as having a pleasant, enjoyable few hours. The social side of these groups is as beneficial to many as well as the physical exertion giving us a feeling of satisfaction.
LONDON GUIDED WALKS
The ‘Walkers Group’ is for those who are able to walk a distance and keep up with our Blue Badge London Guide, though the speed is governed by the slowest walkers. We have coffee near the start of the walk and keep going for 2 hours with a comfort stop.
The group returns to the Sir John Oldcastle for lunch around 2pm (not included in the cost).
The coach will pick up in Letchworth, Hitchin and Stevenage.
Approx 6 walks per year.
Always on a Sunday.
Cost – to be advised.
To make a booking please send your enquiry to cardiacfriendswalks@outlook.com
LONDON WALKS 2020
Walk One: Sunday 19th April 2020 – The Barbican Estate – Follow the Yellow Brick Line!
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Fri 20th March For our first walk of 2020 we start 75 years ago with the largest single bomb site in Europe. The following years saw an experiment in housing that would give us the famous Barbican estate with housing, a school, shops and services and the largest arts centre in the capital. Come and explore the labyrinthine walkways that are wonderfully free of traffic and dip below to see the only survivor from the Blitz with its connections to Oliver Cromwell and the Romans in London.This should be a pretty easy walk on even paving. There will be some steps but inside the arts centre itself there will be lifts for those who prefer not to climb.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Walk Two: Sunday 17th May 2020 – 20th Century Spies – Fact & Fiction
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 19th April (or on coach)
James Bond’s martinis? Ian Fleming’s club? An anonymous building where Kim Philby stole secrets for the Russians? A spy headquarters that was announced by the bus conductors? It’s hard to tell which is true and which is a story and the more you delve into London’s secret service past the more confused it becomes. Join us for a stroll around St James’ to see where every Bond has bought his shirts, the origins of Q’s name and the place where two of the Cambridge spies had their last lunch on British soil. And as for what is going on today? I couldn’t possibly tell you. This is street walking. No great up-hills but one set of steps. It will be one of the longer walks.
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Walk Three: Sunday 7th June 2020 – Greenwich Park – Bella Vista
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 17th May (or on coach)
Our early summer offering takes us to another Royal Park which is full of delights. There are herb, rose and fruit gardens. We have one of the best views in London and there are stunning architectural pieces to admire. But what’s the story of the Queen’s Bath? Who owned the Ranger’s House? And can we find the Anglo-Saxon cemetery? A walk that will take you from the eastern hemisphere to the west and back again with a spring in your step. This will be an easy walk on paths and grassy surfaces. It will be of medium length with a steep slope downhill towards the end.
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Walk Four: Sunday 12th July 2020 – Blubber, Brunel & Boats
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 7th Jun (or on coach)To mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage to the New World we visit the place where the first Pilgrims left London – Rotherhithe. From a boat building heritage where sea captains lived, it saw the first docks to be opened to accommodate the whaling fleet and then grappled with the problem of how to cross the Thames and yet allow large ships to pass. The answer was the first underwater tunnel anywhere in the world and brought the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel to the fore. Today we’ll see how the area has changed with new housing, enclosed water spaces, gardens and green spaces to enjoy. A medium length walk with no hills. Will either be on pavements or grass surfaces. There may be some larger, busier roads at the beginning as there is a major shopping centre to navigate but the rest of the walk should be pretty quiet.
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Walk Five: Sunday 6th September 2020.
Battle,Eurovision and Station – it’s time to meet your Waterloo!
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 7th August
London’s first gateway to Europe as the station where so many of our troops left to fight in WW1 to the Eurostar, we start our walk with platforms and plinths. From there we venture into the surrounding area and discover one of London’s most loved theatres and a new venue that uses the space under the railway. And it’s this space to which we are drawn because did we mention STREET ART? We will walk through the most amazing tunnel in London where you will not know where to look next and if we’re lucky we’ll see some of the artists at work. Bring your cameras, it has to be seen to be believed! An easy walk, not very far distance wise, all on pavements. No slopes and although there may be steps they will be down from the station to the roadway.
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Walk Six: Sunday 18th October 2020 – The Last Journey of the Unknown Warrior – the centenary walk.
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 6th September (or on coach)
100 years ago this November the Unknown Warrior was entombed just inside the West Door of Westminster Abbey. We are all familiar with the memorial itself and also understand the importance of it, but do we know how it came to be? Find out how the idea was born, how the Warrior was chosen and trace his final journey to his eternal resting place. This will be a slightly longer walk than normal but will be all on even ground with no steps.
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MONDAY WALKS
March 9th.
These walks are shorter and taken at an amble with frequent stops if needed. It is a time to meet friends and chat as well as walk. Perhaps if you are not accustomed to going out and walking then this group might just help you to change. Come and ‘walk’ with a group of supportive friendly people.
The start venue is usually a garden centre with a café so that refreshments and a chat can be enjoyed after. Also, members who are unable or do not wish to walk can wait in the comfort of the café for the others to return.
(30 – 45 minutes).
Fortnightly.
Start time 10.30.
Start venue: Various.
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WEDNESDAY WALKS
February 26th
The Five Bells
101 High Street,Henlow
SG16 6AE Tel:01462 811125
These walks tend to be out in the countryside rather than in built up areas (unless the weather and ground conditions make the country paths unsafe).
Some are further afield – out towards Royston, Pirton etc., Always meeting at a pub where everyone is able to pre – book lunch if they choose for when they return.
The walkers set off around 10.30am and return at approx. 12.30pm. Many walk in all weathers, enjoying the company of all the regulars.
Some members of Cardiac Friends are unable to walk the distance or cope with the terrain, but do join the walkers at the pub afterwards for a meal, chat and laughter.
(90 – 120 minutes)
Fortnightly on Wednesday.
Assembly time 10.15 am.
Start venue: Various.
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