Hullo everyone,

Many thanks to all who braved the weather and attended the opening of the Green Chain Walk's extension on Sunday 26th. Thanks also to those who took part in the fifth Crystal Palace to Erith 'Megawalk' on Saturday 25th.

It was a real pleasure, on both days, to walk with such splendid people. I'm sorry I couldn't speak with more of you. The penalty of being stuck at the front...

I had my work cut out. About 200 people participated on the 26th, I wonder how many more there'd have been with better weather?

The railway to Crystal Palace High Level station closed in 1954. Since then it's been a well trodden route, not least by my fellow railway enthusiasts. The Green Chain footpath network opened in 1977 and adding the old railway was first mooted decades ago. Publicly financed mootings began about seven years ago. Today's route follows the line less closely but I hope you'll agree that the landscape and views are the better for that.

Now that the extension is with us you might like to follow the Green Chain a little further, perhaps a lot further. It's well worth it! One of the participants on Saturdays Megawalk has placed an insight into what's East of Crystal Palace online. If I put the link here his bandwidth would be exceeded very rapidly! But, if you send me a PM, I'll supply said link.

There will be more walks on the Green Chain over the last weekend in January. I hope the moderators won't mind if I post some details here.

Again, thank you all for being such great company and I hope you enjoyed last weekend's walks as much as I did.

All the best

Ian Bull