Five initially gathered at the appointed meeting point and were soon met by 2 other late starters in Mile End park, making for 7 on a cloudy but dry evening. Some liberties were taken with the route -- but we covered most of the ground in Mile End, along the canal and through Victoria Park where a local in the group showed us the memorial bench for Stephen Backes (aka Bridie). Starting to get a bit parched, we made our way to the designated pubs and opted for the recently renovated Coborn Arms where most had a meal and drink. A fun night out!

Hi Karen, I'm messaging about Scotland 2023, not this walk.. Sorry. Just to say that I couldn't send an email to the address given, to find out a bit more information. Do you have the correct email address? With thanks, eliz Parker

With many away in Buxton, just a select 4 met at Mile End Station for this short exploration around East London parkland on a mild cloudy evening. We enjoyed the sunset from a little hillock in Mile End Park; then headed along the canal to Victoria Park. Our route through Victoria Park was somewhat curtailed as some barriers were still up from the All Points East Festival -- though none seemed disappointed to head directly to the pub....where we enjoyed a drink outside before moving inside for a tasty meal.

This one goes ahead rain or shine?

Hi Matthew. Sure. These days, walk posters are supposed to be on the walks they post (and on time, note to self). Come rain or shine...

Great, thanks.

Rain or shine, indeed...

Steady rain was coming down when we assembled outside Mile End station, which soon after starting to walk turned to heavy rain, which - on the postive side - meant there was little competition for pathspace in the park. We had to (?) take a slightly longer route around the far end of Mile End Park, as the usual route through the sports facilities seemed to have locked gates, other than that we stuck to the suggested route.

After about 30 minutes the heavy rain became a bit lighter and some blue sky appeared (but some way away), meaning we saw the odd rainbow or two. Only towards the very end did the rain stop, so quite probably this has been the wettest evening walk I have been on.

1 locally living walker bailed out halfway along, one other (living in the opposite direction and with her bike) about 3/4 through the route. The rest got to the Morgan Arms at 21.15, and we took the two free tables they had.

A nice group, and all in good spirit despite the circumstances: 12 in total, in very wet weather.

3 in windy but dry weather.

Having walked this for the second time now, I am again surprised how nice Mile End Park is. Obviously lots of investment went into it to create a varied parkscape. We explored the far corners of the park and then migrated along the canal into Victoria Park, then followed the route through very pleasant residential streets to the Morgan Arms. Left there once a musician started up (playing what sounded like a Fleetwood Mac song, of all things...). Had another drink at The Coborn, which has had a complete makeover since last time around. Young's-owned and sympathetically refurbed. Nice.

copy of the original post but w/o n= and w=, so that the full number of walkers from the following post gets captured...

Anonymous said...

1 having missed the (perhaps non-existent) group by 15 minutes I started the walk alone to try out the Hikesmith iPhone app in glorious-sun-fading-to-pleasantly-cloudy. Park-lovers should note that most of the Victoria Park section is closed off, apparently due to the wrong sort of rain at the Field Day festival last weekend. Nevertheless a very pleasant urban walk and easy to navigate. The canal side section is well used by commuting cyclists - I recommend walking in a straight line and keeping your ears peeled if you don't want to get knocked into the canal. I didn't bother with the on-road return route to Mile End

8 walkers then in dry but humid conditions.

7 were on time and waited a while for potential laties, as Central and H&C line were troubled, but - admittedly - not 15 mins. After an extended tour through Mile End Park South we were then probably behind Anonymous Walker 8. Another extension became necessary as the Field Day-Festival high wooden fencing was still in place and blocking the exit path.

Very pleasant walk, immaculate parks with plenty of features to look at. 5 walkers then descended onto the Morgan Arms gastropub and had a rather nice meal (3) or just a few drinks (2).