Our Memorial Walk for Colin Pearson

Colin had been with CLOG for at least five years and had left his mark as a sociable and well liked member of our walking community. He had planned to lead this walk before his untimely passing away at the age of 67, nowadays an age at which many of us can expect to look forward to a future with promise and new challenges. Jim and Penny felt that it would be a nice tribute to Colin to do this walk in his memory. In the event we had an excellent turnout of fifty-one participants - a fitting tribute indeed.

The early rain had eased off completely as,
undeterred by the weather, we walked across Enfield Chase.

Our walk took in the London Loop from Cockfosters to Turkey Street. So, Trent Park, Enfield Chase and Clay Hill were all on our schedule. We stopped for lunch at the traditional "Rose & Crown". This stop gave us the opportunity to exchange some memories and anecdotes about Colin's time with CLOG. Then we proceeded to the historic Forty Hall which dates from 1629. After that we headed for Turkey Street to embark on our respective homeward journeys. A pleasant and reflective day was had by all.

This part of the London Loop may be known to some CLOGgies. For example, on 28th April 2013 Martin led a similar walk in the opposite direction - similar but with but some different features. However, it is often nice to repeat a walk, especially on an occasion such as ours today.

Cockfosters

We all meet at Cockfosters Underground Station, whose main entrance hall gradually fills up with our party over the hour before our intended departure. There is a general buzz of conversation amongst our swelling numbers. For some it's time for a quick coffee or snack before we set off.

For those of you who are interested in a bit of history, Cockfosters Underground station exemplifies thirties architecture and has a look-alike in Uxbridge Station, one of the other ends of the Piccadilly Line, out west. Indeed, as of this year (2017), Cockfosters Station is 84 years old. Tempus fugit! At Cockfosters, four or five large 3D versions of the thirties retro-art "UNDERGROUND" logo are proudly sprinkled on high around the outside of the station, so that travellers have no excuse for not finding their speedy connection to the heart of the Metropolis and indeed to Heathrow (on the end of the other western branch of the Piccadilly Line).

The lights are still on to welcome the tube trains which have just completed their long journeys from the western reaches of London - from Heathrow or from Uxbridge.




Serious thirties architecture and deco greet us on our arrival.




We are still in London, as this rather weathered sign lets us know.




We have had our tea, coffee and snacks as we wait outside before we set off.




Here you see our whole party gathered "before departure".




One of our party has even brought her pet
- a calm and collected canine despite being called "Spikey".

Trent Park

Close by, at the entrance to the station car park, we conveniently find the start of the next stage of the "London Loop". We are immediately enveloped by the golden tints of autumn all around us. We can also savour a bit of history in the form of not one, but TWO obelisks.

Trent Park was an erstwhile hunting ground of Henry VI (no, not your friendly Henry VIII this time), and belonged to Enfield Chase. Today we skirted around Trent Park House which dates back to the fourteenth century, and until 2012 housed a campus of the University of Middlesex. The name "Trent" derives from Trient/Trento in the South Tyrol. The actual reason why is "Googleable" knowledge.

At least some parts of the London Loop are known to many CLOGgies. The "Loop" stays just within the boundaries of London but as such, takes in much of the pleasant countryside around the Capital.




Autumn greets us with a vengeance ...




... as we strike further and further ...




... into Trent Park.




Now here's the first obelisk. According to the Enfield Society, "The obelisk was brought from Wrest Park (Silsoe, Bedfordshire) by Sir Philip Sassoon in 1934 in order to impress the then Duke and Duchess of Kent, honeymooning at the estate." He sure wanted to impress his honeymooning guests. The obelisk welcomes present day visitors to Trent Park, but I don't know how many visitors actually look at it and appreciate why it's there.




This is the part of Trent Park for the motorized visitors, as the cars ...




... and the colourful descriptive board tells us.




We tarry not ...




... but head straight for ...




... the countryside ...




... in all its autumn glory.




It's time to pause for a chin wag ...




... and to make sure no one is left behind.




Then we are off once more.




Here's obelisk number two. This large obelisk - so the inscription - celebrates the arrival of a son to the Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1702. According to the Enfield Society, "The obelisk was [also] brought from Wrest Park (Silsoe, Bedfordshire) by Sir Philip Sassoon in 1934 in order to impress the [descendants of the (1702)] Duke and Duchess of Kent, honeymooning at the estate in the thirties."
From the monument there's an impressive view of Trent Park House.

Enfield Chase

Here we strike into open country, which as mentioned above, was part of Henry VI's hunting ground. Indeed, the word "Chase" tells us of the hunting connection. We savour some more autumn tints; we are lucky because wind and rain have not yet caused mass leaf-fall. We also catch a glimpse of the City of London sky-line through the autumn mists.

The early rain had eased off completely as,
undeterred by the weather, we walked across Enfield Chase.




Wide open parkland ...




... more open space ...




... and yet more open space.




And now it's time for ...




... some more autumn tints.




Further on, we stop to admire the skyline of the City of London, looming up through the mists.




It's time to pause for another chin-wag and to let some of our party catch up.




We are not actually galloping, but this notice was here in 2013, albeit in not quite so battered a condition. What four years does to a harmless notice!




We are on our way again
and have a chance to admire a nice wrought iron gate.




It's time for another pause
and to appreciate that this is good territory for housing developers!

Clay Hill

And so we come to Clay Hill, the tower of whose Victorian church suggests early pioneering experiments in rocket science. We enjoy more autumn countryside and pass a bandstand that's actually a big bird cage. Then it's time for our lunch stop at the "Rose & Crown".

The Venetian style church, dedicated to Saint John's the Baptist, was completed in 1857. Its tower seems to suggest early Victorian experiments in rocket science. Apparently, the church is a listed building because of its stained glass windows.




We enjoy ...




... yet more autumn countryside.




I don't know the name of this stream, but it makes its way
to Enfield Lock and the Lea (or Lee if you prefer) Valley via Turkey Brook.




We descend the slopes of Clay Hill ...




... and pass the birdcage which is not a band-stand.
Next stop: the "Rose & Crown".

Rose & Crown

We eventually reach the "Rose & Crown" which is not only our lunch stop, but gives us a chance to look back on the life of Colin, his involvement with CLOG and his other achievements. Jim and Penny made special arrangements to let us to spend about 1½ to 2 hours over our lunch as we reminisce.

The grade II listed "Rose & Crown" is located at the bottom of Clay Hill and was built in 1700. It was once owned by the aunt and uncle of the eighteenth century highwayman Dick Turpin (hanged in 1739), whose ghost is said to haunt the pub, and many other places besides! A busy ghost!

This traditional pub is fairly busy, ...




...but, considering its history, could perhaps do with a more artistic pub sign!




The pub hadn't expected a party of more than fifty.




However, the pub staff did a good job ...




... and of course, those who placed their orders in advance with Jim benefitted.




However, there was a lot of time for socializing and reminiscing.




Jim then invited us to discuss Colin's contributions to CLOG and to recall some anecdotes from his life. Interestingly, Colin was an engineer and had invented a special water pump for use in developing countries. It looks as if Colin's invention may have a commercial backer. What a pity that Colin would not be alive to see it happen!




It's time to make tracks, and having reminisced and dined, ...




... we all gather outside for the last stage of our "Memorial Walk".

Turkey Brook

Our walk now takes us along the wooded banks of the Turkey Brook. Our previous stream, mentioned above, feeds into the "Brook" and eventually reaches the Lee (Lea) Valley and Reservoirs. Of course, we have many more autumn tints. We also have the opportunity for some more group piccys as we stop awhile on the banks of one of the picturesque lakes fed by the "Brook". I'm not sure if this area is already part of the Forty Hall estate; however, we savoured the surroundings in this rural outpost of the Capital.

We have more attractive countryside ...




... and a well-maintained bridge leading to a destination unknown.




There are lots ...




... and lots of autumn colours.




Eventually, our path takes us to ...




... one of the small lakes (or ponds) fed by the Turkey Brook. Here we tarry awhile for some group piccys, and as on almost every CLOG walk, some more chin wagging.




Penny and Jan are discussing a point ...




... and Penny is making a point!




We all hold fire for a few minutes ...




... before we get immortalized in pixels.




There's still time to record some of nature's artwork at this time of year.

Forty Hall

As a final flourish, Jim suggested a detour to Forty Hall. It was nice to take in the lakeside setting and some of the ornamental grounds just before candlelight. We appreciated that it could be nice to incorporate a visit to Forty Hall and its attractive gardens in a future CLOG walk.

Forty Hall is full of historical interest. It is supposed to represent a transition between the Tudor and subsequent building styles. The Hall was built between 1629 and 1632, probably by a Sir Nicholas Rainton, wealthy haberdasher and Lord Mayor of London. In 1951, after a chequered history, the building was taken over by the Borough of Enfield, who use it for public events and also open it as a museum and art gallery.

We approach Forty Hall along a wide tree-lined avenue.




Our pleasant day is drawing to a close
as I get this twilight picture of Forty Hall presiding over its lake.




A close-up is also in order.




Now it's time to head for the station, but not before I get a picture of this - apparently Edwardian - notice gracing a nearby hump-backed bridge. Its wording reminds us that life is transient.
Carpe Diem. So seize the day, the hour, the very second!
I think Colin would have approved of this sentiment!

Finale

Our walk today was full of scenic, seasonal and historical interest. I'm sure that was what Colin had intended. Thank you Jim and Penny for arranging and leading our walk. Thank you to all who came to celebrate, in our modest way, the life of Colin Pearson. I think Colin would have been pleased with the occasion, and importantly, that we had thought of him in this way.