A Sad Anniversary

 Ken and I met in the Wallington frost pocket on another bright but bitterly cold January day. Not being too sure how far "staying local " allowed us to go but knowing we wanted to be home before it got colder we agreed on Oaks Park as our destination.  The roads up through Wallington were deserted and we found our way to the smallholdings.  Here there were plenty of pedestrians enjoying their daily exercise and we slowly cycled along Telegrah Track and turned right down Oaks track.  Crossing Woodmansterne Road we cycled into Oaks Park and here met congestion and confusion. Cars were everywhere including on the pedestrian/cycling track.  Carefully making our way up to the cafe Ken suddenly recognised some friends and greeted them.  Nearing the cafe the mayhem got worse and I was really pleased to get to the bicycle parking area.  Bikes secured I joined the coffee queue while Ken looked in the park for seating away from the crowd near the site of the original Oaks Mansion house. 

It was here that the 12th Earl of Derby and his friends established the two prestigious horse races, The Oaks and The Derby, which now take place at Epsom Racecourse.  The Oaks originally ran through the park and part of the off rode route still exists.

                                                 

                                                       The Oaks Burgoyne and Derby board

After coffee we walked round the chalk markings of the original Oaks Mansion house before leaving the park turning left  to cycle along Woodmansterne Road before a right turn up Metcalfe Ave.  We decided to visit the  area of park land with the David Aylett Memorial Area in what remains of the original Queen Mary's hospital grounds. Rather sadly it is almost 3 years to the day since David died.

                                                   David Aylett Dog-free and Picnic Area 

Now getting cold we headed for home. We left the estate  to enter Stanley Road and made our way across the maze of roads to Boundary  Road where we parted. An interesting ride, brief but perfect in the cold.