Kings Cross Walk – 22 April 2015
Eleven Polyramblers braved the icy wind to discover the amazing changes in Kings Cross. They patiently listened to me reading my notes while I told them about the history of the Kings Cross area and the station itself designed by Lewis Cubitt and opened in 1852. King’s Cross is the site of Boudicca’s final battle and she is said to be buried under one of the platforms. The ugly 1972 extension has been removed and been replaced by an open-air plaza. We admired the new semi-circular departures concourse, opened to the public on 19 March 2012 and which has been described as a ‘reverse waterfall’. We then went on a walk to discover the new developments and the old buildings being refurbished.
We passed the Great Northern Hotel, also designed by Cubitt and went to see the first of the art installations set in Kings Cross to celebrate the area’s heritage and its future: the Birdcage and its swing – which Geoffrey tried. Continue reading Wednesday 22nd April: Evening walk–Discover the new King’s Cross (circular) →

An impressive 24 were out, surely a sign that spring has sprung. Especially good to have Ingrid and Tony along, of whom who we have seen all too little recently. We had a pleasant stroll along the towpath downstream from Marlow as far a Bourne End where we crossed over the railway bridge, for lunch at the Bounty. How refreshing to see a sign welcoming dogs, children and muddy boots. We took the towpath upstream before turning  up and over a low ridge and down to Cookham. En route we called into the church at Cookham Dean with its painting by Stanley Spencer. A modest walk at 7 miles, but most enjoyable. Thanks Dan