Wednesday, 15 September 2021 - JOYDEN'S WOOD - ALBANY PARK TO BEXLEY - 9 miles - Leader: Simon A

An interesting walk through woods, meadows and the picturesque riverside along the River Cray, before heading off to explore the countryside towards the south leading to the ancient and impressive Joyden’s Wood and it’s Saxon earthworks. We take a detour through the Birchwood Park Golf Centre (for a possible coffee break) and then head deeper into the woods for a picnic lunch. After lunch we head back on some bridleways, past many stables, out of the woods and finishing in Old Bexley with its many pubs and cafes.

The Gang

All Saints, Foots Cray was built in the 1330s but is believed to stand on the site of an earlier (possibly Saxon) church evidenced by the late 12th century Norman font

Lunch on a Spitfire -  site of a WWII Spitfire crash – pilot survived only to be killed a few weeks later;

The Tree Monster

Art!

· Leader leading us out of the wood

Says it all, ha ha

Enjoying the River Cray (probably from 'the clean, fresh and clear river' or possibly 'the river that often floods’)

· Heading off to promised coffee at Golf Club!

· Heavy machinery on our route

· Trying to catch a signal to guide us through diversion avoiding Works

· Even the horses in the field give no trouble.

Photos: Simon A, Ruth