Westerham Walkabout - 12 April

[Mike Farley]

Assuming that the reluctant Fates can be cajoled into complying, later this month we should finally come out of the Great Covid-19 Lockdown of 2020-21. We have lived under its restrictions, for all intents and purposes*, since the beginning of last November. Any resemblance of what was once “normal life” remains a way off but for the first time in many months, we will be permitted to meet outside in groups of up to six people from different households. Time, then, for a modest outing.

On the afternoon of Monday 12 April, I plan to spend a couple of hours wandering around Westerham, camera in hand. The place has a long history and there is plenty to see and do, including the central green, church, high street and an attractive row of cottages. If anyone is interested, up to five members of Croydon CC are welcome to join me. Simply respond to this thread to express interest and I will provide details of when and where to meet via e-mail. First come, first served. If more than five people want to participate it might be possible to have more than one group if others are willing to coordinate them. As 12 April marks the date when non-essential business should be able to re-open, we might even find a café where we can have a cup of tea.

Participation is subject to the social distancing rules in force at the time.

* Yes, I am aware that there was a slight relaxation of the regulations for a few short, glorious days at the start of December which interspersed Lockdown 2 and Lockdown 3.

[emmanuel]

Hi Mike. I am up for the Westerham walkabout on the 12th of April. Hope some more members will join.

Emmanuel.

[toms]

Hi Mike,

Covid and weather permitting whilst there might not be that much to photograph it is an ideal opportunity for a few members to meet up and to hopefully look towards arranging some activities later this season. Perhaps for those who have not had the opportunity to do much photography or like many have lacked the will, it would present opportunities to create stock for next season.

Please count me in.

Tom

[davidb]

I would love to visit Westerham - but I have no transport and would need to share. Any volunteers?

[Mike Farley]

..... there might not be that much to photograph it is an ideal opportunity for a few members to meet up and to hopefully look towards arranging some activities later this season.

I do envisage this as much as a social occasion after the long months of lockdown as well as a photo opportunity without having to travel too far. As you say, we can think about going further afield for subsequent trips. Hopefully, this will turn out to be an initial foray as part of the return to more normal life.

[Mike Farley]

The government has confirmed the further easing of restrictions, including that cafes etc can re-open for oudoors service from next Monday, so this trip is going ahead. I will circulate privately the meeting details to those attending.

If others wish to organise an outing, perhaps somewhere accessible by public transport for those without cars, it is straightforward to make the necessary arrangements.

[Mike Farley]

An e-mail with the meeting details has gone to attendees.

[Mike Farley]

On the morning of our outing, I did not expect to wake up to falling snow. Especially in the middle of April. Neither did the BBC's weather forecasters, it would seem. The Met Office website appears to have a more accurate prediction, with the snowfall stopping between 10:00 - 11:00 and warming up this afternoon sufficiently to melt any snow.

[Mike Farley]

The BBC's forecasters have either just found some seaweed or stuck their heads out of the window and have now updated their prognosis to something closer to reality.

[Mike Farley]

An enjoyable afternoon in Westerham earlier on, with the opportunity to meet up in person with Tom and Emmanuel.

A couple of topical shots from the day. Not many bunches of flowers in the second.

Half mast

Topic (2 of 2).jpg (91.23 KiB) Viewed 5901 times

Floral tribute

Topic (1 of 2).jpg (76.2 KiB) Viewed 5901 times