We will meet outside Hendon Central Tube station at 11 am and leave at 11.10 am. to go for a hot drink in The Hendon Park Cafe {as above image}

We will be walking stage 11 of the capital ring to Highgate 5.5 miles.

This is an interesting and varied walk, and time will be allowed to take photographs.

The walk is quite hilly and can get muddy at times so please wear adequate footwear { if it has been raining or is raining this walk will end at East Finchley}

If you walk slow or have a knee problem this walk is not for you.

We will stop for lunch at a Cafe along the route {or you can bring your own}

{If you need any more info do message me or phone me on[masked] this is not a smart phone. }

£6 meet up fee payable on arrival.

If you have a knee problem or walk slow this walk is not for you.

COV'D 19 regulations will apply so please bring along a mask, and hand sanitiser with you.

If changing your RSVP to not going, Please advise me at least 24 hrs before, so some one else can take your place.

Failure to do so may result in when you sign up for another of my walks, that you will be moved to not going.

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NATURE GETAWAY IN OLD PLOVDIV AND THE VALLEY OF ROSES
Repeat trip due to popular demand!
Return flight currently £70!
Explore the history-rich sites of the 6th oldest city in the world, Plovdiv, (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/The-worlds-20-oldest-cities/1old-plovdiv/) visit Bulgaria’s enticing valley of roses with its acclaimed Rose Festival and discover the secrets of the age-old tradition of rose oil production.
OLD PLOVDIV – A JOURNEY TO ANTIQUITY
Plovdiv is one of the most ancient cities in the world with signs of habitation dating as far back as the 6th millennium BC. The Old Town of Plovdiv is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s small, quiet and picturesque and a real gem for culture and history lovers!
Fascinating highlights:
The world’s most aromatic rose oil today comes from Bulgaria.
‣ The highest percentage of rose attar in the world is obtained from the Valley of Roses, Bulgaria
‣ The Bulgarian “attar” of roses is an important component in the perfume business throughout the world.
‣ Rosa Damascena is the name of the oil-yielding rose, which made Bulgaria famous for the production of the best rose oil in the world. Damascus, Rosa Damascena Mill was brought to Bulgarian lands during the 17th century.
‣ Plovdiv is the World’s 6th most ancient city and European cultural capital for 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtH_TAXUf80
The festival itself takes place every year on the first Sunday of June. It originates in the Rose Valley and runs across the near by towns of Karlovo, Kalofer, and Kazanlak. The area is breathtaking when the famous Bulgarian rose blossoms in May/June exuding its enticing fragrance.
3,5 tons of rose petals go into the making of one kilogram of rose oil, which costs as much as gold.
Join this extraordinary experience in Bulgaria, take part in the authentic rose-picking ritual and gain insights into the rose-distillation process. In addition to the authentic rose gathering ritual, the festival offers a small beauty-pageant of a kind, where the most beautiful girl amongst the rose-pickers is crowned Queen Rose.
But that’s not all! There are even more celebratory events taking place during the festival weekend, such as choir a cappella, folklore concerts, art shows, exhibitions, wine-tastings and much more!
Dates 2nd June- 6th June 2023
Itinerary:
Day 1 Friday
Arrival in Sofia
Meeting and greeting with your local host.
Guided walking tour and lunch
Departure for Plovdiv and check-in at your hotel. ( around one hour and 30 min drive)
Day 2 Saturday
Breakfast.
Walking tour in the Old town of Plovdiv.
Lunch near Plovdiv Roman stadium.
Dinner and folklore program in an authentic Bulgarian restaurant
Day 3 Sunday
Breakfast.
Departure to Rose festival - a day full of impressions.
Transfer to Plovdiv in the evening
Day 4 Monday
Breakfast.
Free time for shopping, sightseeing in Plovdiv.
Day 5
Breakfast
Last impressions and departure for Plovdiv airport for an afternoon flight.

What is included:
4 nights in a 3-star central hotel in Plovdiv
4 breakfasts
2 Guided walking tours
One day trip to Rose Valley Festival
Rose picking ritual
Degustation of rose products: rose jam, rose liquor
Wine tasting- selection of 5 wines
Transfers from/to the airports in Bulgaria
Social event with the group, before flying to Bulgaria
Tour leader
Compliance with Travel Package Regulations and financial protection 1992

What is not included:
Flights: London- Sofia/Plovdiv;
Personal expenses;
Travel insurance.
The price for this trip: £480 in a twin/double room share.
Single supplement: £ 80
In conjunction with other groups.
To secure your place [masked] or[masked] for further details.

 
 
 

Another fantastic walk by our member Barrie,

KENSINGTON - When The Swinging Sixties Moved West

Lennon's secret lover, the magic of Hendrix and the Biba story

Kensington today is a shadow of its former self, once a major shopping district. But back in the day it was very much part of the swinging sixties and this walk, transports you back to those magical years when the world flocked to the clubs and boutiques of the area and the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea really lived up to its name.

Barrie has many personal memories and stories to tell you about those years as well as the interesting history that is all around you as you walk.

For example : The first time The Jimi Hendrix Experience ever played on stage together was in Kensington.....but where?

The most famous boutique the world has ever known, began and ended its short life in Kensington.....but where?

John Lennon had a secret crush on a famous local resident and he visited her in Kensington.........but where?

All of this and much, much more.

Our walk which lasts a bit more than two hours costs £12, cash payable on the day, will be illustrated by historical photographs and music of the time.

Contact Barrie on[masked] phone or text
for further info or questions or e.mail
[masked]

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NEW FOR 2023

WEST HAMPSTEAD…WALKING TOUR
Ultra trendy today ……ultra musical yesterday

One of the great mysteries of West Hampstead is why it has taken me so long to put a tour together around this cool and fashionable area of London. Not only is there much to take in about it’s uber laid back restaurants and cosmopolitan way of life West Hampstead oozes musical history especially from the swinging sixties era.

Over the years many famous people from actors to singers from poets to artists have chosen to live in the area even though it has always been considered the main Hampstead’s lesser relative. It's complicated railway history renaming the area West Hampstead from its original village name of ‘West End’ adds to the mystique of the area today, three lines covering three stations, one of which has a fabulous farmers market outside every Saturday. Hard to resist the bread stall.

However because I am from the baby boomer generation it is
for me the sixties music legacy that underpins this tour. A recording studio that rivals Abbey road holds enough stories and memories to fill an entire tour. But there is more much more, however I’m not giving away any more secrets. If you have 60's memories or 60's music history is your thing this tour is an absolute must.

The price is £12 cash on the day

contact me Barrie
phone or text[masked]
if you have questions or just rsvp on line

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