Saturday 21st January 2012 by Dave W.

We met our leaders Jack and Brenda at the usual spot in Waterloo Station, and after a thorough briefing of what was to come, our party of seven crowded the top deck of a no.26 bus to Hackney Wick. During the 40 minute journey we looked down over many fenced-off areas of London being rebuilt.

Just after getting off the bus we passed the Church of St.Mary of Eton.

After a few streets we came to a bridge over the River Lea Navigation. The Olympic Stadium and adjacent observation tower can be seen in the distance.

We followed the towpath on the left (part of 'The Capital Ring'). On the righthand side of the canal were many derelict looking factories covered with graffiti, and on our left behind high fences we passed various newly constructed buildings for the Olympics, and the stadium.

Racetrack being constructed opposite the stadium. Canary Wharf buildings in the distance. Soon after, we came to a cafe opposite the stadium.

The sun then came out, and we had our sandwiches on seats outside sheltered from the wind, surrounded by a party of cyclists having a break.

We travelled one stop on the nearby DLR railway...

...and entered the new Westfield shopping centre - an exciting foreign land...

...teeming with aliens and shops you've never heard of!

Eileen took this photo outside Westfield - Me, Jack, Mona, Brenda, Fred and Val.

Many thanks to Jack and Brenda for a very interesting walk.