5 despite the wet weather forecast for the evening.

There had indeed been some rain earlier and the woods had that wonderful damp soil smell when we walked through them, but there was no mud and no new rain, although later we experienced a little spittle .

The lake in the park initially seemed very silted up and overgrown, without any water in it, but later on there was quite a bit of water in the far corner, just at a very low level, so maybe (no joke this) there is a leak somewhere?

Eventually, we circled through the lovely bluebell wood near the end of the route and then were led astray by a local SWCer to try to find another part full of the blue pest but we didn't find it, so eventually picked up the proscribed route again.

Food and drink at The Cuckfield it was then, and the conversation still kept flowing. Nice.

4 met at the posted time and proceeded at pace, wary of the sun setting soon-ish. We got around the route though, with just one very minor shorcut towards the end, before darkness fell, no probs. We retired to The Cuckfield for a meal, where we got contacted (and then met) by another walker that had started late. 5 in fine dry weather

I live near Wanstead Park and took a photo of the bluebell wood on 15.4.20. I'll check the wood out again nearer the date of the walk and update on their progress.

I saw my first bluebell patch of the year between Sutton Vallance and Harrietsham on Saturday (3 April). They were in full flower.

Bluebell photo now on walks photo album, at the end. Short walk 11. Thanks Andrew.

Bluebell check am Sunday 11 April. A few starting to show so walk date looking good. Ground rock hard, some rain and higher temperatures needed.

Bluebell check Sunday 18 April. More blooms showing but looking frazzled by the heat and lack of moisture. No rain forecast and ground rock hard with cracks appearing. Should be a fair display but what happened to those Aprils of my childhood when it rained every day! Still this will make a lovely walk in late evening sunshine as there is much to discover and enjoy.

9 walkers tonight in sunny weather

A generally very nice walk further enlightened by wood anenomes, celandines and bluebells in many places, and then later carpets of bluebells in Chalet Woods, which we ventured into along the looping paths. As per our local spy on the ground: there probably hasn't been the rain that the flowers need, but this was the best display so far on all the walks I've been on.

One walker had booked a table at The Cuckfield, towards Snaresbrook station, and we booked another one to accommodate everyone. Nice food and drinks with the now obligatory online ordering and all kinds of other Covid-procedures, but also with fast and efficient service. Recommended.

9 at the start, plus 1 met at the entrance to the park (having cycled there from work) plus 2 with a later start, whom we saw (across the water) but never met during the walk, just afterwards, when we were debating where to go for post-prandials. Uneventful(unless you count the couple of swans with 6 cygnets, all in a row) outing through the beautiful park, and at good pace. 8 went on to a pub way down Wanstead's High Street for a meal, way beyond the walk's text, based on a local couple's recommendation. As it turned out, The Cuckfield is where they had their first rendezvous many years ago! Bless...

The tube gremlins were in operation on the way back to town, delaying us for about 20 minutes at Leytonstone (an earlier broken down train, apparently). 12 very pleasant

14 on a balmy summer evening enjoying this shortish stroll around a pond or two in a rather lovely park. all but 1 went for a drink at The George afterwards, some had a meal.