04/04/11 - Capital Ring - Stage 1

Distance - 4.5 Miles
Walk Details
Start - Woolwich
End - Falconwood
Geocaches - None (Surprisingly)

Capital Ring - Part 1 at EveryTrail


Here's some new goal to aim for... walking around London in 15 different stages.  The light evening are with us, so if I manage to get one a month in whilst down in London working, I should be able to finish it in three years.

Leave London Bridge and arrive at Woolwich Docklands in 20 mins.  The walk gets off to a very dodgy start... well sign posted from the station but taking you straight through bandit country as you walk through a high rise estate.  Lots of suspicous hoodies hanging around on street corners.  At one point a man in a russian bear trappers hat comes out and shouts at some youth - "Oi - why keep running from me - you know I am going to get you sooner or later".

Doesn't exactly fill you with confidence.

Soon in Maryon Wilson park.  Proper jumpers for goalposts here with the next generation of Wayne Rooney's practising their swearing.  Who would have thought the first animal that I see today would be deer as you walk through the middle of a urban farm.

First bit of impressive architecture can be seen in Charlton Park.  Across the playing fields that say "No Dogs" and the people walking their dogs on them, you can see the impressive Charton House.  One of London's finest Jacobean buildings. 

Charlton House

A little bit of road walking before coming out on the wilds of Woolwich Common.  This is soon crossed as you come out at the wonderfully (for South London) named Shooter's Hill.  A stiff climb up through Eltham Common in woodland brings you to the equally wonderfully named Severndroog Castle.  Sounds like its out of "A Clockwork Orange".

Where the Droogs Live

This had some droogs hanging around on BMX's practicing being American Gangsters.  Didn't fancy tolchocked by these bolnoy vecks, so I scuttled away, going downhill from the sweeping views to Falconwood Station.

Stage 1 complete - the walking was good, and wild for an inner city.  The signposts were so good, I didn't have to use satnav once.  Nice to be out in the fresh air on an evening but I would be lying if I said I felt 100% safe.