The day date. Cheaper than a night one? I hoped so.
The man in question was foreign and relatively new in town so I felt bad asking him to plan one. Besides, the last time I’d pushed him to he’d panicked – it was up to me. I wasn’t totally sure how I felt about him either and a day date seemed a safer, less suggestive bet.
That’s when I found the Green Chain Walk. Linking up south London’s prettiest green spaces from Thamesmead to Nunhead Cemetery, I thought it might appeal to my date who spoke fondly of his rural homeland.
A few inches of snow had fallen when we met at Crystal Palace station one freezing Sunday morning. Foolishly underdressed I made a beeline for the station café to down scalding hot coffee. I’d decided we’d do the stretch from here to Dulwich.
The first green spot was Crystal Palace Park, once home to the Great Exhibition of the Victorian era. It wasn’t as grand as I’d envisaged, but the snow-covered dinosaur models by the lake looked cool. Also good topics of conversation if you’re struggling, snow-covered or not.
On leaving the park we plunged into suburbia, and the large houses around Sydenham hill. The man talked of what our lives would be likeif we lived their while I worried about getting lost. Luckily the route was well signed.
The next bit of greenery was Sydenham Wells Park, sweet, small and vaguely forgettable. I noticed though how refreshing it felt to be out in the bracing cold at an early hour. Getting the circulation going made us talk more animatedly too.
After that there was an interlude in Sidcup Woods which could have been romantic. The path runs alongside a disused railway track and in the melting snow had turned into a quagmire. To avoid it I scrambled up the banks either side but kept sliding back down into my date’s arms. That’s when I realised that he probably weren’t wasn’t for me as I kept climbing higher while he joked that I was trying to avoid him. #awks
Finally we were out of the woods and on the last stretch of road where we turned into Dulwich Park. Here we decamped gratefully to the café for coffee and cake. Mission accomplished and all before midday!
The damage:
£5 – Station café coffees
£15 – Dulwich café coffee and cake
TOTAL: £20
The romance factor:
Potentially high if you fancy them – the bracing fresh air and pretty scenery is a definite plus, as is ending up in Dulwich – always a picturesque experience.
Dirt Cheap Dater 