LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I travelled to Crystal Palace from Battersea by bus. I started the walk from the bus station on Crystal Palace Parade and entered the park immediately. I inspected the National Sphinx then passed the National Sports Centre to the Dinosaur sculptures. They were very interesting in the bright sunshine. From the waterfall, topping up the lake, I exited the park at the railway station to follow the signs for this tenth and final section of the Capital Ring. A few streets lead to Weston Park and Upper Norwood Recreation Park with its 1891 drinking fountain. I walked amongst the buttercups, down Biggin Hill with gold views across the city to Norwood, then into the ancient and dense Biggin Wood. From the wood a straight route along Covington Way to Norwood Grove, with its gardens and majestic hall, immediately followed by Streatham Common with its impressive cattle trough. Through Streatham streets to the railway line, through the subway to a magnificent building, which I thought was a temple or a mosque, but turned out to be a Thames Water pumping station. Further along Riggindale Road is a church, Streatham Methodist Church. Welcome architecture amongst the houses. Over another railway line and into Tooting Bec Common with its wildlife and pond. I saw the usual dogs, ducks and birds, plus a moorhen, coots and a flock of crows on the park grass, looking for scraps. More streets, passing Du Cane Court luxury apartments and St Mary and St John the Divine Church to Wandsworth Common. Past the rail station and the Common Ponds where the rhododendron bushes were in bloom and where I saw a pair of Tufted Ducks. I was most pleased. Over Trinity Road to the famous Wandsworth Prison. I'd never seen it before, honest. Round the corner to the full Wandsworth Cemetery. One grave was on the path, obviously without its coffin, but very strange to see. Poor Edward, lost his stonework. From the cemetery past more church architecture of Earlsfield Baptist Church and River Wandle to Durnsford Road Recreation Ground in Merton. A couple more streets to the junction of Durnsford Road and Arthur Road, by the Woodman Public House, the end of the walk and the Capital Ring. This is where I started The Ring on 19 February 2020. A young lady with a pushchair kindly took a photo of me celebrating the completion of the Capital Ring.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Finish: Crystal Palace
Start Wimbledon

None