The Moon Walkers

Knole Park. Sunday 4 October

2009-10-05T04:31:00.000-07:00

Christina, Amber, Tim and Richard did a circuit of the National Trust's Knole Park - a golf course with the added entertainment of deer / a deer park with the disappointing intrusion of golfers, depending on your predilection for golf or deer. We spotted the moon after dinner in Sevenoaks.

Todmorden. Friday 4 September

2009-09-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

No group walk this month. But I did spot this beautiful full moon as I settled in for the night at Grumpy's Mill, HQ of Incredible Edible Todmorden.
Richard

Oldshoremore. Thursday 6 August

2009-08-06T05:01:00.000-07:00

Part of an idyllic holiday in the North Western Scottish Highlands. Lyla and Richard walked from The Bard's House through the wild flower meadow, down the sandy cliffs onto the white beach, at which point the moon broke through the cloudy skies. Then back over the headland, past the grave yard and up into the hamlet. Meanwhile Amber and Steve were driving from Inverness to join us, and we hoped we'd pass them on the road back to the house. Unsure whether they were yet to join us, Lyla and I returned to the house to discover they had not just arrived, but were already in bed and we didn't see them until breakfast!

Marrakesh. Sunday 7 June

2009-06-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

I was in Marrakesh for Clara's 30th... so I didn't go on an official formal moon walk, but there was lot of us, plenty of walking and some beautiful scenery! (A few holiday snaps attached).
Richard

Stourhead. Saturday 9 May

2009-05-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

We gathered for dinner at the Spread Eagle, Stourhead the day before the full moon. This gave us night time access to Henry Hoare's beautiful landscape gardens at night, heavy with the scent of Rhododendrons, for a full moon eve walk. The next day we set about walking from Stourhead to Castle Cary. The park was filled with numerous choral groups as we left, we stopped at Alfred's Tower to climb it, feasted on Ryvita and fine cheeses at lunch, inspected the dove cote outside Bruton, took tea in an old chapel there and headed for our hotel via apple orchards and wild flower meadows. (It was all wonderfully far away from the Walworth Road police cell I'd unexpectedly and undeservedly had to spend the day in before we left!)
Richard

Peasenhall. Thursday 9 April

2009-04-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

Meike, Erica, Lyla and I drove to from London to Peasenhall in Suffolk for Easter weekend. The full very orange moon was Maundy Thursday and we got a photo of it as we arrived late at our Timber framed cottage. The walk (and kite flying) was around Southwold the day after.
Richard

Dickens' London. Monday 9 February

2009-02-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

A Monday moonwalk in cold and soggy February seemed a good choice to visit Charles Dicken’s London. Five weather defying Moonwalkers set off from the Arches under Charing Cross station – where Dickens once blackened shoes – and headed towards Covent Garden.

We passed the Rules restaurant, once the choice of the rich and famous – even boasting a secret entrance to accommodate Royalty and their mistresses. Next was the home of London’s first Police force (the Bow Street runners) that had doubled up as jail for Oscar Wilde. Then past the Church where Dickens’ Parents were married and to an Old Roman Baths that was popular with the writer. We then switched back past the Olde Curiosity Shop which was hard to miss with the name painted across its walls. Up next to Lincoln Inn Fields where Bleak House overlooks the square and then around to appreciate the fine lawyer’s living quarters of Lincoln’s Inn. By this time, rather bedraggled from the heaviest Full Moon rain for some time, we decided to retreat to the inviting warmth of the Seven Stars Pub, Carey Street.

Unfortunately, finding a table from which we were allowed to order the fine home cooked food we could see being delivered to others proved elusive. So after a warming drink or two we crossed back across Lincoln’s Inn Fields and further north to Lambs Conduit Street in Bloomsbury. Here we found ourselves in a brilliant Italian Restaurant - Ciao bella – where the food was not only fine, but was accompanied by tunes from a white grand piano. The white of the grand piano was the nearest we got to the white of the full moon – which was hiding behind the heavy rain clouds!

Christina

Penshurt. Sunday 11 January

2009-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Amber took us to Penshurst for a one way walk between two railway stations in brilliant sunshine and through icey fields. This thoroughly rural outing was made all the more wild by the inclusion of two dogs, though Lizzie's Inca was significantly more mischevious than Dave's pedigree pet (who needed so little commanding I forgot his name). After a hearty meal in Penshurst's Leicester Arms we split. Christina, Amber and I went cross country with just a bicycle lamp as guide in the very dark and muddy fields. For most of this section we felt lost but miraculously ended up being spat out onto a road from a muddy track barely a few strides from our target branchline station, and only a few minutes from our train home.

Little did we know that at the time the 'official' Moonwalkers were wandering around Penshurst so was the occasional moonwalker Tim and his 18 month year old offspring by complete and spontaneous coincidence. It's remarkable we didn't actually bump into each other. It must have been the moon drawing us together.

Richard

Elba, Italy. Monday 15 September

2008-09-23T01:52:00.000-07:00

Lyla and Richard took a ferry to the Isola d'Elba looking for clear skies but within minutes of disembarking at Portoferraio thunderous clouds stormed across the Mediterranean and lashed the island with torrential rain. Cars pulled over to let small mud flows take the circuitous roads and all prospects of a decent moonwalk seemed banished.

But like Napoleon making a dash for the mainland these dark and powerful forces soon left the island and by evening crisp cold skies appeared and moonshine cast shadows through the exotic flora. We walked along the twisting coast road from Seccheto to Cavoli where we explored the small beach, briefly stopping for some moonbathing on the loungers and scribbled our territorial claims on behalf of The Moonwalkers in the sand.
Richard

Bourne Woods. Saturday 16 August

2008-08-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

Eight moonwalkers converged at Farnham Station and Richard did a quick shuttle a couple of miles south to the Bourne Village green where they'd rather thoughtfully put on a proper english game of cricket. So a feast contained in a fine array of tupperware was laid out on the grass and enjoyed to the sound of leather on willow.

Once fueled and once joined by local residents Sue, Jim, Matt and Annie (who were to be our guides) we set off into the Bourne Woods. Once we had climbed to the top of the woods Sue painted a picture of when Ridley Scott filmed Gladiator in the woods. Unforunately the reminents of all the filming that has gone in the woods. The most recent addition - a small spooky cottage possibly for upcoming Wolfman or Harry Potter movies - was no longer there. But as dusk fell, the light was atmospheric enough.

The walk then wound past cattle grazing and through a recently cleared area for Bird Spotting. No birds were spotted and as we re-entered the woodland the light levels were dropping. This unfortunately did not mean us exiting the woods to the sight of the moon.

A quick drink was had in the Fox pub's beer garden en route back and the moon still hid. But eventually it did put in an appearance later that night, viewed from a beer garden in nearby Hartley Wintney.
Christina

East Lulworth. Friday 18 July

2008-07-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

Regular moonwalkers are once again flung far and wide and despite my encouragement to share these potential mini and disparate walks no one bothered. I shared a moon moment with Lyla from the chaotic location of Camp Bestival in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset. A brief peak of the moon was visible in the cloudy skies as Chuck Berry boomed out from the main stage.
Richard

Tring. Wednesday 18 June

2008-06-16T03:22:00.000-07:00

Steve and I got the train to Tring and walked 1st up on to the ridge high land where we had a picnic a few years ago. The views and were great. After battling our way through some 5ft grasses in a field that I insisted we go down to avoid a rather fast commuter type road we headed to the canal for our main walk. The canal to Berkhamstead was dark and over grown at first with a rather industrial feeling. After the 1st mile it quickly opened up and became quite twee with canal boat homes and gardens. We rather over estimated how much we could walk and Berkhamstead seemed rather a long way at some points. However, we arrived at the train station in time to get the last fast train of the day and get back to London in time for a curry.
Amber

South Bank. Tuesday 20 May

2008-05-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

It was a casual affair, organised at the last minute - Meike and Lyla arranged to meet at Waterloo and then have a walk along the river to London Bridge and gaze at the moon. Richard was able to get home in time to join us too. Sadly we couldn't see the moon from the river, but as we headed home, we turned the corner and there she was!
Meike

Frampton. Sunday 20 April

2008-04-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

Having delivered Bella, the flat coat retriever puppy, successfully to Devon Lyla and I were on the return journey to London and stopped off in the little Dorset village of Frampton for the night and a moonwalk. The location was the grounds of Frampton House, a B&B in what was once the wing of an enormous stately home called Frampton Court but was demolished in 1931. Lancelot Capability Brown had sculpted the landscape which made a beautiful backdrop to a night of thunder, lightening and heavy rain. As a result of this heavenly disruption, (and also the absence of any other moonwalkers) we made our walk simply the short stroll up the gravel driveway from my car to the front door of our home for the night. Dinner of celery soup, game pate and beef goulash was served in the conservatory and taken in the friendly company of fellow guests Doreen and Derek from 'somewhere between Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells'. Had the clouds been clear the full moon would have presumably lit our meal, but instead we made do with the light of the silver candle sticks that lined the table.
Richard

(And here's a shameless beauty shot of Bella from earlier in the day)

Egham to Runnymede. Friday 21 March

2008-03-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Amber led us on a Good Friday afternoon stroll which turned out to be a Biblical torture test of dramatic heavenly turbulence. Showers, storms, sleet, sunshine and a whole load of stone monuments (including the one above in memory of JFK). We got lost somewhere round the back of Brunel University but Noel got us back on course, and as night fell we found sanctuary in a fine Egham bistro... but lost a couple of batter addicts on the way who rudely insisted on scoffing fish and chips elsewhere. The full moon finally made its appearance as we walked back to Egham station.

Swindon. Thursday 21 February

2008-02-23T02:37:00.000-08:00

Although a lunar eclipse was forecast to be visible at 3am this morning we kept to the tradition of moon walking in the evening. Less traditional was the elaborate mission to do some guerrilla gardening around the HQ of W H Smith. Richard arrived early to check out the location and stock up with plants and collected Lyla, Jude and Kate from the train station. Our first walk was a matter of navigating ourselves to a comfortable seat in Pizza Express in Swindon old town. Onwards (via car) across the Magic Roundabout and to the industrial estate. Our second walk was scurrying around the bleak environs of Greenbridge Road in the shadow of the huge W H Smith complex while we planted a couple of roses, curry plants, yarrow and primulas at the base of their concrete greetings post. The police stopped to ask what we were up to but seemed convinced by my disguise as a Wiltshire farmer. The work was done before midnight and we returned to London in the early hours of Friday morning.
Richard

Falmouth, Cornwall. Tuesday 22 January

2008-01-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

For the first time a total stranger has shared their moonwalking with us. We present Robert Self-Pierson:

In the Waterfront, Falmouth, I talked to a local student about his new horror film. As I stood to leave for my moonwalk, he said, 'Lunatics - comes from lunar. People are supposed to go a bit mental at full moon. See ya.'

Now filled with dread and fear, I climbed Swanpool Street and Pikes Hill. They felt steeper than ever. Youths raced old bangers up and down the gradients. I panted my way to the top and then down the unlit alleyways to Cliff Road. The plan was to walk a circuit of the town picking the most isolated areas to fully appreciated lunar lighting.

My planned journey soon changed as I encountered a group of swearing, shouting, stone-hurling lads on the same walk around the coastal path from Gyllyngvase to Swanpool Beach. Research in Brighton has tried to prove there's an increase in violence in towns at full moon - the werewolf effect. Alex from the pub had slurred about increased testosterone, the moon's regulatory influence, and menstruation. Not your average pub chat. As the louts turned and took in the unseasonably warm air, and possibility of a good fight, I stared in their direction. Perhaps quizzing them on their testosterone levels wasn't the wisest thing to do tonight, so I turned. A reverse of the journey was indicated, finishing with a walk from Swanpool to Gyllyngvase.

A drunk swayed up Melville Road - a main residential route out of town towards Penryn, driven at night only by the odd taxi. Marlborough Avenue leaves the lit roads and heads downhill by gravel. My poor sense of direction took me this way and didn't disappoint. I was lost. By mile-high street lights, I referred to my map. A quick re-adjustment and I cut across to Theydon Road, through chicanes that wouldn't look out of place at the Monaco Grand Prix. I was completely alone. The moon rarely showed her shape, the warm air didn't move; all that sounded were the last calls of a blackbird in a distant tree.

Boslowick Road leads towards Cuckoo Mile - a path shown on the map as a dotted crescent. Surely darkness guaranteed and with luck a moon to aim for? Before I reached the Mile, I passed a garage. At 12.45am a man stood washing his car inside a carwash. There's dedication for you. The water trickled down to a stream that splashed under the road.

Cuckoo Mile may be a mile long but in complete darkness, alone, by full moon, armed only with a snazzy torch-compass, it seems longer. It takes you down. It's a track. Slush and leaves and mud had turned it into a ski slope. Beyond the streetlights of the Devine View cul-de-sac, Cuckoo Mile is a tunnel, leading into a narrower tunnel. My eyes had adjusted enough to make my torch useless - but that doesn't mean I knew my next step, or my possible killer. No wolves howled, no witches cackled, no vampires attacked - but darkness had its effect: disconcerting but exhilarating. A heart thump to accompany every step.

At least half a mile down I reached the cross-paths. The map showed this: a curving mile clearly intersected by a smaller quarter mile; a crucifix of paths. In reality, my path split four or five ways. I turned and looked for an obvious continuation of Cuckoo Mile, but soon all paths became moving hands on a muddy clock face. I unfolded the map but couldn't read it. Heart thump. I started down one heart thump. Nothing. It led to a rushing stream. It turns out the noise of angry water is the howl on a moonwalk alone.

A sign for Captain's Walk appeared. I knew that name: a walk along the cemetery towards Swanpool. A cemetery in darkness seemed no scarier than a muddy mile. At one point graves lined me either side. Still no moon but the again the unerring silence - absolute silence. There are no motorways, no A-roads, no louts through the graveyard at 1.30am on full-moon.

On Swanpool Lake a gaggle of geese were having a late one. The smell of seaweed took me back to childhood crabbing evenings, leaning over the promenades on Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight, my older brothers pulling and pushing me. But this was the sea of Swanpool. It was 2am. A man sprinted across the dead road onto the beach; he then disappeared between rocks. I looked up to see the clouds had parted, leaving the moon to reflect to earth, full if a little spotty. The spring tide, which earlier had revealed the longest stretch of algae I'd ever seen, fizzled in and out like clockwork.

Earlier I spoke to Sue from Avalon, a Wicca shop in town. People think the full moon having an effect on humans is rubbish, she said. But if you look at the tides, we accept the moon controls them - and we are 80% water, so it seems pretty clear that it will affect us too.

The coastal path led me home. Three Battleships twinkled on the horizon, not sunk by my stone-throwing opponents. I sweated below my overcoat - partly due to the clammy night but also the excitement of my first moonwalk of the year. The moon stayed with me, occasionally obscured by feathery clouds. For the first time it looked like the moon of Bram Stoker, of Shelley. Through the trees, stripped by winter, she became gothic horror, the moon of Alex's film. But I smiled back home. With nothing more than a torch-compass, map and moon, I'd spent two hours enjoying the things of nightmares while everyone else stayed indoors.

www.rob-writes.blogspot.com

Moorgate to London Fields. Tuesday 22 January

2008-01-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

It seemed about time a moonwalk was done in appreciation, not only of the moon, but also of the fine historical City of London. So the walk was to start in the City, in a little nook off Bow Lane, at Williamson's Tavern – a pub claiming historical heritage and ghosts to boot.

We set off weaving in and out of our richest financial institutions, through to Spitalfields of the Weavers and up Brick Lane to the worst slums of the Victorian age. Then pressing on up Columbia Road (sans Flower Market) past the Hackney City Farm and over the Regents Canal onto Broadway Market at the bottom of London Fields – phew!

The level of grand architecture led to a greater than usual call for tour guiding, which around Spitalfields the walkers started to take on themselves. Here cries began - 'Jeanette Winterson lives there' which I possibly relayed to the group sufficiently loudly that poor Jeanette might have been scared to venture near her illuminated windows for some time after. Further declarations came of where Tracey Emin or Gilbert and George may be found. Around here three walkers tagged out the walk and 3 new walkers tagged in, punctuated by the moon's main appearance above the Hawksmoor church.

As we walked through the Old Nichol (once home to London's worst slums), a small group of hoodies loitered on a corner – not quite as threatening as the vagabonds and thieves that once left the average Londoner too scared to enter the area. The slums were torn down now the site of Britain's first social housing Victorian style, the impressive Arnold Circus. Still shadowed by nearby Council blocks that we know Tower Hamlets for. By this point tummys were rumbling, so we pushed on for food, drink and chocolate fondue (with a sort of moon-like heart-shaped flame if you squint) at the Dove Pub.

Primrose Hill to Trafalgar Square. Monday 24 December

2007-12-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

Walk up Primrose Hill through the gardens of Regents Park. Carried heavy bike over large fence. Good decorations in Carnaby Street. Big tree Trafalgar Sq. Expensive curry after.
Amber.

East Portlemouth. Saturday 25 November

2007-11-30T03:55:00.001-08:00

Brockley. Friday 26 October

2007-10-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

On 26th November the Moon Walkers ventured into the malarial zone South of the river for a walk from Brockley (known to locals - at least one of them - as 'Little Tuscany') to riverside Greenwich (known by the council as 'the Millennium Borough'). The group were joined early on by a new junior member, Master JGR Sarson, who had to retire early for his milk and a new nappy. The moon made an appearance early on and stayed out, pushing through the sodium glare as the group meandered down Greenwich High Road towards the Cutty Sark and the Trafalgar Inn.
Tim.

Paris. Wednesday 26 September

2007-09-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

In Paris with no fellow moonwalkers I marked the moment with a brief (2 minute) walk along a canal in the 19th arrondissement. It was a moment's break from a drive with my new acquaintances (Cecile, Stefan and Raphael from Dedale and Manuel a German architect) as we looked for somewhere to eat dinner. The full moon could be spotted shrouded in thin cloud. Our canal side first choice for eating was packed so we squeezed back into the Volkswagen Touran and eventually settled on the splendid Aux Zingots restaurant at 12 Rue de la Fidelite for a huge meal and good conversation.
Richard

Sao Paulo. Tuesday 28 August

2007-08-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sao Paulo city isn't really the ideal place for a moon walk (a) because its not so safe to go wandering around at night gazing at the sky and (b) because there are so many sky scrapers and lights that the view of the sky is somewhat obscured.

So a pool party was planned for the roof top terrace of a friend's apartment but sadly the weather turned chilly. Plan B was put in place... A drink in the bar on floor 41 of the tallest building in Sao Paulo with Carlos, Eduardo & Cati, the perfect spot to view the moon! Such a shame the weather continued to close in and the cloud combined with the fog meant there was no moon to view. Still, the caipirinhas were good!

My attempts at viewing the lunar eclipse (not visible in Europe) at 6am this morning were also thwarted by the weather.
Meike.

Addlestone. Tuesday 28 August

2007-08-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

A dash for the train at Waterloo found Lyla, Lexy Christina and Richard heading for the Thames side town of Addlestone via Weybridge. As we talked enthusiastically about the walk a resident of Addlestone scoffed our choice of destination, dismissing his home as no good “other than the new Tesco.” Fortunately the conversation alerted a friend of a friend to our presence and another moonwalker who we did not know called Dan joined us. We waited for straggler Steve by drinking Moldavian champagne perched on a low wall by the station taxi rank.

As darkness fell we set off on the walk, past the glassy offices of Aviator Park, down Albert Road past the Muslim Centre and across the road into Meadowlands Caravan Park. With Steve fantasising about having a love nest here we walked onwards into the freshly mown meads of Chertsey. An accidental detour found us battling brambles and stinging nettles but eventually we got back on track. There, standing in the expanse of hay under the sizzling towers of giant electric pylons we spotted the moon. It was a brief golden moment before the clouds came back but perfectly timed. Lexy suffered a couple of slugs slithering into her slippers but survived. Supper was a picnic of sandwiches and salads (carried by many Moonwalkers in Tupperware’s excellent Mini Max range) and a bottle of Bollinger by the Thames.

Onwards, stopping briefly for a workout in the incredible adventure playground, past the marina, down a dark alleyway, through a dual carriageway underpass, over the railway and along another quite horribly dark, dog poo trodden alley behind the back of the Bowling Green. We arrived with four minutes to spare, just enough time to crack open a bottle of Shiraz and enjoy some dark Peruvian chocolate (except we discovered that I had accidentally binned the full bottle of wine when we tidied up our picnic). Woops.
Richard

Toronto. Monday 30 July

2007-07-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

After an early evening Empanadas with Erin, a Toronto guerrilla gardener, I set off on a warm clear night for a walk down Spandina, past a splendid row of Toronto City Hall branded rubbish bins, and onwards past the glowing Rogers Centre and pulsating CN Tower, down to the harbour front. It was only now that the full moon was visible, big and golden low in the sky, the reflection shimmering across Lake Ontario. It was a good view, but not quite as good as the night before when I got to see the virtually full moon high in the sky from the rotating 360 restaurant CN Tower, 351m above the city! Richard.

Southbank. Friday 1 June

2007-07-02T04:18:00.000-07:00

With several moonwalkers poised to abandon the walk mid evening we planned a walk of two phases in central London. Steve, Amber, Andrea, Louise and Richard gathered at Monument for a walk past the Tower of London, across Tower Bridge and across the new lawns of Potter's Fields. What we expected to be a familiar scene some how looked different through our moonwalking goggles as we noticed for the first time a surprisingly derelict building next to the Tower and considered the design of the new park. Two left while the remaining three recharged with a cheese platter at Wright Brothers on Stoney Street before whizzing round a floor of the Tate Modern (where we picked up an occasional moonwalker Clare by a Matisse) and ended the evening with a meal at Tas. This was moonwalking at it's most urban and least strenuous.

Firle. Saturday 30 June

2007-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

From Brighton, London and Zürich this month’s moonwalkers assembled in Firle at the edge of the South Downs. Biding time with the tasting of some fine local ale in the Ram’s Head, Richard, Lyla, Alice and Lizzie awaited the end of another June downpour before setting out across the fields suitably garbed with cags, wellies, umbrellas and Lizzie’s expertly waterproofed guide book.

Often knee deep in slurry and wet to the skin, the thought that Shackleton must have had it worse on his escape from Antarctica kept spirits high as Lizzie led
the group across hill and dale in the pastoral twilight. A creative number of diversions from the recommended route took them via farmyards, cornfields,
copses, a pottery and a ghostly tower on route to Alciston.

After an excellent three course supper at the Rose the return leg of the walk was considerably faster, owing in part to their abandonment of the guide-book and the
speed-walk inducing nature of the ghost stories in the darkness of the moon-less night! A memorable evening!

Zürich. Wednesday 02 May

2007-05-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

April didn’t shower, but May made up for it last night as three mad Moonwalkers gathered in the downpour at Klusplatz. Deciding not to be deterred by a spot of weather, Corinne, David and I headed into the woods and began our trail along the Stream of Many Names –and we weren’t alone either: 9 frogs and a giant spider accompanied us on our woodland walk as we ventured forth under increasingly dramatic skies. By the time we got to the mouth of the stream at Zürihorn, the rain eased off and our efforts were rewarded with a spectacular lakeside moonrise. As we unpacked the Vollmond beer and chocolate and Corinne unpacked her camera and tripod the darling moon was more than happy to flaunt around on the stage, posing for some excellent photographs! Alice

Shoreham. Wednesday 2 May

2007-05-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Kingston. Monday 3 April

2007-04-03T01:36:00.000-07:00

Zurich. Monday 3 April

2007-04-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

On this fine April evening a last minute change of route made for one of the most spectacular Zürich Moonwalks to date. Fed and watered in the stalls of the former military stables (now a charming restaurant) six of us (Alice, Konstanze, David, Danny, Davey and Daniel) left by the back garden gate and descended into the Schanzengraben for an eerie Nightwalk that took us from one space of intensity to another a in dramatic sequence prompting reference to David Lynch: Reithalle – Schanzengraben – Sihlweg – Utobrücke – Enge Church – Bürkliplatz. Positively beaming, the moon wasn’t playing hard to get this evening and a Vollmond Beer toast in its honour prompted question of its gender: Concluding that he must surely be a gay man we toasted once more before heading down to Bürkliplatz for a last lake view and glimpse into a mysterious underwater world structured by endless columns of colour and light - on which note another delightful evening drew to a close. (Picture to come next week) Alice

Grindelwald. Saturday 3 March

2007-03-13T01:39:00.000-07:00

Across continents, by train and plane five moonwalkers gathered in Interlaken Switzerland. In search of snow Alice led us up hills around Grindelwald with a Porsche Sclitten in tow. Brief sledge runs were found, an avalanche avoided, a flask of tea drunk and an owl sanctuary spotted. The sky was a cloudy disappointment and promised little sight of the moon. But once a dinner of fondue and raclette was over darkness had fallen and the sky had partially cleared with gaps in the cloud big enough to spot the full moon. If that wasn't enough by the time we were got back to Interlaken the moon had changed altogether with a dramatic partial eclipse. The next day we took cable cars up to Bloefeld's mountain top HQ at Piz Gloria and had a 007 breakfast. Richard

Windsor. Friday 2 February

2007-02-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

Mike, Denis, Amber, Lyla and I had a dramatic rush hour escape from Waterloo and boarded the direct train to Windsor and Eton Riverside. We picked up Fiona, Max, Danny, Murci and Felix in Windsor who had journeyed from Paddington via Slough and Richard who had roared into town after a day driving round Surrey. We then sauntered around the great castle and into the Great Park. The Long Walk was stunningingly lit by a true full moon in all its glory. The beauty of this trip was not only the location but the ease of navigation - just "follow the walk all the way to the monument two miles in front on the hill".

The walk was stunning and the moonshadows were perfect. We sauntered under the approach route to Heathrow and it reminded a few of us of that wonderful scene in "Heat" where they lie on the bonnet of the car smoking and staring up at the aircraft as they make their final landing approach. Very evocative.

As we left Windsor (and the Heathrow approach) behind us we entered more quiet countryside where the moon came into its own and the surrounding countryside and park landscape revealed its true scale.

We had a picnic and wine under the moon and under the horse's bottom (back end of the aforementioned monument on the hill). Only minnor hiccup was the return where Amber and I forgot all that we had learnt in recent years and ran down hill. I went arse over tit and as I type this the wounds are starting to heal (although last night's bed sheets are covered in blood!). Lyla delighted us with her lemon cake as we sat pauper-like outside a posh pub and then we all made it back to Windsor central in time for the last train back to London. Steve

Mile End. Wednesday 3 January

2007-01-04T00:51:00.000-08:00

A pint at the Florist, a blast of warm wet drizzle down the Mile End park (including a walk across the amazing bridge of park), and on to Steve's local gastro pub. No full moon to be seen (though it's clearly visible this morning at 8.30am) which seems appropriate given that this was more of a mini pub crawl. Richard

Primrose Hill. Tuesday 5 December

2006-12-06T02:14:00.000-08:00

Gradually the Moonwalkers gathered. We began with a meal at The Albert in Primrose Hill. After a strop with the chef our man from Yorkshire upgraded his risotto to an extra burger. While he finished up the food we found ourselves slipping into the pub's weekly and deadly serious trivia quiz. Amber led us on a quick escape up to the top of Primrose Hill for a spectacular cloudless view of the full moon. She cracked open a bottle of Sainsbury's Ruby Port and five minutes later was rolling down the dark hill with the well-fed Yorkshire man. We followed on down, only to march back up again on a dog leg search for Amber's spectacles that had fallen off during her tumble. No luck. So now with a semi-blind leader we took the dark canal side path round the back of Sven's villa, and on to Little Venice. The nine of us began to splinter, Martha left for the station, Meike and Steve straggled and the rest of us made it for last orders at the Lord Alfred and befriended a plumber from Derby. Richard.

London Southbank. Sunday 5 November

2006-11-14T04:56:00.002-08:00

As if a full moon on a cloudless night wasn't excitement enough for the moonwalkers, a red sky at night and fireworks set the scene for an enjoyable evening as Richard, Alice, Amber and Steve converged on London's Southbank (some more than once!) Lively discussions, wine and dinner led these spirited folk on a merry dance down to Southwark Park, and 'though the anticipated Guy Fawkes celebrations were nowhere to be found, gunpowder and matches were resourcefully provided by the moonwalkers themselves. The walk was rounded off with local ale on the terrace of the Mayflower and sublime views across the Thames. Alice.

Zurich. Saturday 7 October

2006-10-10T02:13:00.000-07:00

The evening began for MWCH in the hills north of Zurich. Fed and quenched with a slap up seasonal meal, the moonwalkers descended a long winding path, cutting through the contour hugging suburban streets, a route which Emil Egli described in 1949 as "rivers in flood each morning, the steps cataracts for thousands of people taking the short cut to work." At the valley bottom our stream went against the flow of the Limmat, a riverside in semi darkness and semi wildnerness. Past summer swimming baths now closed or recently dressed as winter bars, a miasma of goths, Zurich's dark underbelly, onwards. Past midnight now, with the full moon shining above the lake we retired to Cafe Odeon for hot cholcolates and a banana split. Richard

Morocco. Thursday 7 September

2006-09-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

I was privileged enough this month to experience the full moon in all its glory in Morocco whilst on holidays with friends Gab and Bec. Having spent the previous 24 hours extremely unwell (dodgy meatball tagine!), I managed to get it together to mount my camel for a twilight walk through the desert. Pretty magical stuff! The colour of the dunes was terracotta orange and the sky was clear and the moon bright. We slept outside and by the time the moon had set, the stars put on a spectacular show. Shame the sand mites were biting - I woke up itchy as hell, and still had a 2 hour camel ride ahead to get back to the camp!
Meike.

New York. Thursday 7 September

2006-09-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

As MWNYC our walk began under the arch in Washington Sqaure (the one where Sally dropped off Harry) at about 10. Our ranks included five new moonwalkers: three friends from the UK - Rob (in blue), Fiona (in mustard) and Aideen (with the scarf) - one random new acquaintance from an opening party earlier in the evening, (an English architect called Simon (in the red suit) who’s writing a book celebrating multi-storey car parks), and Sarah (in green), our local leader appointed by Alice of MWCH. We walked via Bayard-Condict, Louis Sullivan’s remarkable 1897 skyscraper, debated globalisation with a homeless chap, and then took two cabs to the east end of the Brooklyn Bridge for a walk back towards Manhattan with the full moon blazing down upon us, and the twin beacons of 9/11 shining up from behind the forest of glistening towers. Blisters and jet lagged killed off all by Sarah and I who returned to the Hudson for a late night view and had the essential food and drink until early morning closing time. Richard (with photos by Rob)

Frauenbad Lido, Zurich. Thursday 7 September

2006-09-08T11:11:00.001-07:00

As MWCH assembled at Fraumunsterplatz on this balmy September evening, it was not the moon that was up for discussion but a spectacular display of sheet lightning that continued right through the evening without sound of thunder or trace of rain. According to our own Sarson-hotline it was neither the northern lights on vacation nor the end of the world, as we had speculated, but a "high based storm", which apparently happens when you get instability in the upper areas of the atmosphere but stable, dry air low down. Never the less, we took shelter in the Zeugkeller, former arsenal and home of Wilhelm Tells Crossbow, for sausages, rosti and our favourite tipple Voll Mond Bier before proceeding barefoot down by the river. From the cradle of tranquillity that is the Bafussbar and Frauenbad Lido the entertainment continued as a hazy disc of moon took centre stage in the aerial circus. Alice.

Eynsford. Wednesday 8 August

2006-08-10T03:44:00.004-07:00

The August instalment took our three moonwalk geographers Steve, Richard and Tim to the gentle Tuscan-style slopes of the North Downs at Eynsford.

Last year three brave walkers defied those fanatical dreamers of the caliphate and boarded the train for Eynsford shortly after the July bombings. This time, in an intelligence led operation following an anonymous tip off from one of Steve's recent dates, we decided to take pre-emptive action and headed into the downs several hours before this year's attempted terrorist strike.

There in the Kentish hills all national security worries were left behind. The lights of London appeared as a distant orange glow on the horizon, much as if the city had been burned to the ground. And the pies at the Wheatsheaf pub were as home made and gravy laden as if Ma Larkin had baked them herself while being fondled by David Jason.

We even encountered a valley inversion: this fascinating meteorological phenomenon occurs on calm, clear nights when cool air sinks down the sides of a slope and collects in a hollow, while warmer air sits above. Walking through the inversion into the warm air mass is like stepping into Ma Larkin's kitchen when she's baking a fresh batch of scones.

Next time armageddon looms, we recommend you catch the 6.23 from Blackfriars to Eynsford and seek shelter in the hills.

Basel. Wednesday 9 August

2006-08-10T02:25:00.000-07:00

'Basel, city of contrasts’ was the subject of the August meeting of the MWI as we cut a tangent across the picturesque medieval centre and headed down the Rhine to the fringe terrain of Kleinhünnigen harbour. A mysterious landscape of soft-lit warehouses, stacked shipping containers, motionless cranes and abandoned cargo trains was the setting for a fine view of our Moon, partially shrouded by cloud strips of the most atmospheric variety. On discovering a random gathering of middle-aged Moon appreciators and their provisional‚ Vollmond Bar’ in one of the sheds, we rounded the walk off with a glass of wine and tapped our weary feet to the sounds of an accordion and some hearty singing in Basel dialect. Alice

Triemli. Tuesday 11 July

2006-07-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

On their second official outing the Moonwalkers International set out at sunset from the Zürich hinterland of Triemli and traversed the city by way of Sihlfeld cemetery and allotment gardens, Josephsweise and a disused viaduct, arriving at the riverside bar of Oberer Letten to see a larger than life Tim-Burton-Moon sail out from behind the Marriot hotel. Highlights of the walk included sneaking into a 1950's towerblock to catch a pigeons glimpse of Zürich through a top floor staircase window, a moment of urban intensity at traffic lights on Bullingerstrasse, rose-tinted train tracks looking west from Hardbrücke, two free hamburgers and an art deco dog. Proof that the Swiss metropolis is more than just a box of chocolates!

Brighton beach. Tuesday 11 July

2006-07-12T02:52:00.000-07:00

The weather was too glorious for the edges of London so we traveled to the far away city of brighton for a walk through the whitewashed cottages and regency buildings (Amber was determined to prove that Brighton is not just Camden town on sea). Complaining the moonwalker elders ware dragged west towards the setting sun with the promise of a picnic on the beach and spotting princesses and chunkies. Typically network south east/first capital connect/thameslink/southern couldn’t cope with providing trains after 10.30 at night so every one was whisked away in taxis and got the last tubes home from Victoria. Amber.

Zurich. Sunday 11 June

2006-06-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Moonwalkers International branch decided to take to the streets of Zürich. Led by our resident budding historian David, Mark, Franziska and myself made a jovial round of the historic old town from Bürkliplatz and a stunningly clear panoramic view to the Alps via Fraumunster to Lindenhoff - former seat of the Romans. The tour concluded with a sublime moonlit scene a la the original Swan Lake (with real swans), followed by icecream at Cafe Odeon. The beer is Vollmond-bier, an Appenzeller speciality, its organic and its brewed only on the fullmoon. Alice.

White Cliffs to East Dean's Tiger Inn. Sunday 11 June

2006-06-12T01:56:00.001-07:00

On a balmy June day the moonwalkers stepped out at an unusually early hour (3pm) across East Sussex' finest coast line. The walk took us along the foot of the cliffs towards the sea, and then up up up and onto the "seven sisters" (a set of seven hills that roll along the seaside edge). Views of the sea, the downs and the sun burnt British could be seen for miles. This we believe was the first moonwalk at which someone requested suncream application!! After a good 4 mile walk taking us back inland, through farmland, we arrived at East Dean where a fine English pub awaited us. Supper was taken while watching the children play on the village green, and the sun setting behind the trees... alas there was a slight absence of the moon on this walk... but our journeys home allowed an upward glance at it rising... and an early retire to bed on the weekend of jollying in the sunshine! Lizzie.

Mosquee de Paris to Sacre Coeur. Saturday 13 May

2006-05-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

With Tim's accurately forecast drizzle clouding the afternoon the fifteen of us gathered at half five for a mint tea at the Mosquee de Paris braced for the heavens to pour on us. But in the end the only thing that poured this evening was fine wine. Alice, with the aid of seven sheets of satellite images, led us through Jardin des Plantes, past the Institute du Monde Arabe, Notre Dame, St Eustache before Clara, our Parisian, took us to Alfred's for nourishment. No sign of the moon yet, but by the time we got to the finish at Montmatre the sky was clear, and a spectacular full moon lit view of Paris sat before us. Getting home was another adventure for some, involving invisible taxis, blisters, fires on Eurostar and Peter Lilley MP.

Hammersmith to Kew. Thursday 13 April

2006-05-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

This was a lovely evening. Good weather, spring in the air, and a good glimpse of the moon looking delectable as it sailed low over the Thames.

The gang met up at Hammersmith after work and were delighted to see several new moonwalkers. Regulars included Steve, Mike, Denis, Richard and Amber. Newbies included work colleagues and a complete new recruit through the website! Viva cyberspace!

A delightful walk took us over the river and along the south bank, stopping at a lovely riverside pub for half time drinks and Richard's sausage rolls. We then skipped along to Kew where we dined in the original Italian restaurant we'd first visited a year ago.

As we made our way back into the big city I was struck by the words of a poet: may you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door...

And so to bed.

Guildford. Tuesday 14 March. 1 Year Anniversary

2006-03-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

Valentine Road & Byron in Harrow. Monday 13 February

2006-01-24T03:25:00.000-08:00

Dennis, Tim, Steve, Andrea, Meike and Richard tubed to South Harrow, chosen because of its proximity to Valentine Road. The topically named street turned out to be a miserable cul de sac with a social club at the end (we were not welcome with our bags of beer, sponge cake and spicey snacks). So we turned round, passed through the gated estate of South Hill Avenue and up the to Harrow-on-the-hill. Though no moon could be seen, a fine view west was enjoyed from the church yard, and the Valentine's Eve theme continued with a reading of Byron by Tim (off a plaque) and Meike's provision of Hershey's Kisses. Richard

Perivale. Saturday 14 January

2006-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

Epping. December 15th

2005-12-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

We'll be venturing into the southern most tip of Epping Forest on the 15th. Depending on our collective ambition, the length and course of the walk will be somewhat improvised but with the intention of reaching The Owl (which is just under two miles away and has a pet otter) or The Royal Oak (another mile further on and which doesn't) for food. The walk is fairly flat and, for the most part, along forest bridleways. You'll need to get to Chingford on the 1820 from Liverpool Street.

Happy Valley

2005-10-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

We went to HAPPY VALLEY...

Peeps came from London Bridge, Victoria and Brighton to meet at Coulsdon South train station Monday 17 October to walk in the moon's shadow.

A wander over the downs and through Happy Valley meadows ended up with us having a Chinese in Coulsdon village. Despite getting a touch lost we encountered friendly locals who showed us the way and offered us lifts. Ahh, makes you glad to be British...

Cookham Curry

2005-09-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

By all sorts of different trains, taxis and cars the seven of us arrived in Cookham, though we didn't know it. Five went for a ramble round the golf course, the Marina, the kissing gate (ended up popping in to the church as Evensong ended to see the Stanley Spencer bric-a-brac) and found a pub, at which point the missing two appeared, having done their own walk in Cookham Dean. We finished the evening at Maliks tandori and wandered back in the utterly moonless night on the last train home.

August urban moonwalk planning session

2005-08-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Richard, Steve and Amber met for dinner at Perronet House, Elephant and Castle. The resulting discussion led to the formation of the Moonwalk Elders (the above said members) and planning for the remainder of the year.

Kent

2005-07-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

The rare clash of Moonwalking and Islamic Fundamentalism left us reduced in numbers, but Tim, Steve and Mike gave two indignant fingers to the fanatical dreamers of the Caliphate by strolling through the cornfields of Eynsford in Kent. Old men and real ale at the Malt Shovel Inn won a unanimous vote over youth and Burberry at the Plough and Harrow. And we saw a pretty cool cow, but no moon.

June moonwalk

2005-06-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Leaving on a packed train out of Euston station, we made it into the wilds of Tring. Pretty soon, we were up on the escarpment with a view over Hertfordshire. Wine, gourmet food provided by Amber and balloons at sundown made us glad we had escaped the city....

May walk - Monday 23rd May

2005-05-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Moonwalkers

Monday 23 May is full moon night. We will be taking the 18.30 train from London Waterloo (dest. ‘Portsmouth Harbour’), which arrives into Guildford at 19.06. We will be taking the 22.38 train back from Guildford at the end of the stroll which arrives back into Waterloo at 23.37.

You need a bit of cash for the return ticket and we will be getting a pint and some dinner in at a little pub in Guildford at 7.20pm ish before we start the walk.

Otherwise, feel free to bring a bottle of wine, some shoes that can get muddy and wrap up warm.

Look forward to seeing you on the 6.30pm a week today!

Steve x

April moonwalk

2005-04-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

On 24 April, we set off along the river from Hammersmith for a moonlit stroll along the Thames. Afer aperitifs in a Barnes riverside pub, we made it to Kew where we enjoyed a fabulous Italian dinner by candlelight.

'And hand in hand on the edge of the sand
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.' E. Lear

March inaugural walk

2005-03-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

The first ever UK moonwalk was held on 25 March 2005. We completed a delightful stroll from Guildford up onto the downs with wine and condiments at a nearby church on the ancient pilgrims way.