Brixton circular via Herne Hill, London (only 4 miles but full of interest)

Starts at Brixton Station right in the heart of the colourful market, then passes the Windrush Square with its memorial to the Windrush Generation, opposite the imposing Lambeth Town Hall. In the square is the Ritzy Cinema, the second oldest in London.  Close by is a very fine 18th-century church, St. Matthew's, consecrated as one of a series of Waterloo churches desgined to offset any threat of revolutionary secularism in the newly developing areas of London. Further up Brixton Hill we saw the oldest surviving Post Office in continued use and the only windmill in Inner London, set in a lovely little park. 

Further on we suddenly get into much more gentrified territory and go through Brockwell Park, with its 1930s lido, still in use, and a beautiful walled garden associated with Brockwell Hall and meticulously maintained by volunteers. The route returns via  Herne Hill and a very eclectic mix of builidngs. 4*

About 15 miles (over 2 days) on the Fife Coastal Path

Walking from St. Monans to Crail and then from Boarhills to St Andrews, as a special birthday treat. 5*

25 miles on the Norfolk Coastal Path

The first tranche of a new long-distance trail. Two and a half days (about 25 miles), from Hunstanton to Holkham. Watery marshlands, plentiful bird life (Marsh Harriers, egrets, Brent geese, snipe, oyster catchers etc.), iron-stained yellow paths, deserted beaches. Brilliant sunshine for one day, horizontal sleet the next, but we were able to shelter in the brilliant new Holkham Estate Lookout café and dry out a bit at the end. 3* (so far).

Dollis Valley Greenwalk, 13.5 miles, mainly flat

One of London’s loveliest walks, it starts at Golders Green, then via Hampstead Garden Suburb, both interesting estates, with the Suburb’s beautifully tended gardens and fruit tree blossom looking particularly fine in the early Spring sunshine. The walks then reaches the Dollis Brook as it emerges into the River Brent and thereafter follows the Dollis all the way to its source, through fine stretches of woodland, some busy with family outings, some completely isolated.

Towards the end of the walk, as we approach Edgware, the path becomes completely rural — no sign of habitation — for most of the last 3 miles. A convenient bus stop at the end gets us to Edgware for the tube home. 5*

A circular from Chingford via Epping Forest. 7 miles, pretty flat

Ventured into Essex (only just) to visit Epping Forest. One friend commented "why would you want to go there?". And, although it was a pleasant walk, at times it reminded of Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, or at least of Delamere Forest, close to home (N): multiple paths through woods, ancient trees, but with, at one point, a remarkable long-distance view of London. Chingford seemed like a nice place. 4*