Thames Tributary Dollis Brook
First thanks to all who enjoyed the Dollis Brook Walk - 9 of us am, 7 pm. Travel more or less successfully achieved; lovely walk, through very muddy fields in Barnet at first then following the stream on its rather more urban but always green course to Hampstead Garden Suburb and the Heath extension. The majority got a glimpse of one or more kingfishers. Lunch was surprisingly good, and very cheap in a rather unprepossessing "greasy spoon", which turned out warm and welcoming.
Out: From Totteridge and Whetstone we will take the 251 bus, direction Edgware and get off at Hendon Wood Lane to start the walk.
Return: Brent Cross station; Northern Line
Across Totteridge Fields Nature reserve to pick up the London LOOP along Dollis Brook linking to the Dollis Brook Greenway between Barnet and Totteridge, Whetstone, Woodside Park.
Lunch in the pubs of N Finchley High Rd.
Dollis Valley Greenwalk is a 10-mile riverside walk from Mill Hill to the northern friges of Hampstead Heath linking areas of public open space along the valley of the Dollis Brook, a tributary of the Brent, that rises near Arkley. It passes through Barnet Gate Wood, an ice age forest remnant, Totteridge Fields, and under Mill Hill viaduct. It provides many habitats for plants and other wildlife. Spot colourful flashes of the Kingfisher in Finchley or Ragged Robin in Brook Farm open space.
Most of the route is moderately flat and surfaced. The path is waymarked with white direction arrows on a green disc. It links the London Loop with the Capital Ring, and is coincident with each for part of its route.