It said bright and sunny till 2 and then biblically wet. April – when shit gets real, huh.
One of my self imposed tasks is to plan walks for some friends, around London. We disappear off in the summer and balmy autumn, but winter and spring are down to me.
I got hold of this guide to one of our great canals, the Grand Union Canal that was built to link London to Birmingham – first city meets second city (as long as you ignore the squawks coming from Manchester and Liverpool, demanding a say).
That is 130 miles and a bit far for us, but there are two sections that might make a fine walk. First there is a link from near Hayes which takes the GUC into central London, joining up with the Regent canal and cutting five miles off the original journey via the Thames, to the City. The second is to join the GUC where it originally met the Thames at Brentford, walking back to Hayes.
The first is 13.5 miles, the second 10.
I could squeeze in the 13.5 (plus the extra mile to Hayes station) before I was swept away, couldn’t I? If I started at Paddington and walked backwards, as it were.
I left Paddington station at 9.45 in the promised sunshine, clutching a coffee and with a rather misshapen croissant pressed in my pocket. I had an audible book to finish – Val McDermid’s The Last Temptation and no time to waste.
The walk is flat. No locks as we wended our way through Middlesex. There’s greenery, lots of moored barges and boats doubling as homes and a fair bit of the industrial and urban – a lot of railways in amongst the warehouses, small factories, art studios and wot not.
There are a few pieces of street art and the odd mural.
I kept up a decent pace until about mile 12 when I slowed a bit, more because I was enjoying myself as because my feet haven’t ‘enjoyed’ such a work out for a while.
I finished the book. I ground my teeth about a dozen times at the implausible plot lines and the grotesque violence – I really don’t need to know. It’s okay, but hardly her best work and no one important died which is the most unlikely outcome given the jeopardy that was described. If you want a recommendation, don’t bother.
Any way, I finished the walk. The last have mile was pretty squally – the weather came a bit early – but I had lunch in Hayes and managed a dry window to scuttle to the train.
It’s a good walk and the boys will like it. I’ll try the alternate with a friend next week and then decide which one we’ll do.
For now here’s a selection of images….
TanGental 
Blossom and river/ bird scenes are always a good bet. Nice and tranquil. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very peaceful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done. All once familiar territory to me
LikeLiked by 1 person
Familiar sign in that peculiarly squashed and decrepit part of Paddington where there always seems to be a cold wind!
Interesting walk and photos, thanks. I’m sure you’ll all have a good time. Where lunch?
Always look forward to crossing the GUC at Lisson Grove – you know you’re nearing Lord’s then!
No time for violence in books, tv, cinema. Entertaining it is not, or even enlightening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a bit of a sucker for a police procedural but the best books are those where any nasty is implied. Agree about Lords. And you’re right about that wind. Must be some sort of funnelling effect.
Lunch is a bit of a challenge. Probably a detour into Greenford.
LikeLike
Nice walk through some of my old stomping ground! When we first got married Hubby and I had a Maisonette in Hayes, infact we have friends coming to stay tomorrow who still live in Hayes 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a slightly strange place. It wants to be on trend but hasn’t really managed it yet. Maybe the Elizabeth line will give it a nudge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps but perhaps not it is what it is a little time capsule.
LikeLike
A wonderful and interesting walk, indeed. I’d love to do it but it might take a couple of days with rests for coffee. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of coffee stops are to be encouraged
LikeLike
Grand! And a tent for sleeping in overnight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we can manage a tent
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how herons always say “Who do you think you’re looking at? Will you please go away, I’m fishing!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
They seem perpetually hang dog, like a court clerk with yet another day listening to evidence of horrible crimes
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d be the same if you had to stand in cold water all day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like Val McDermid as a person so I’m disappointed that I don’t like her books. I’ve only read one, at the insistence of a friend, and wasn’t keen to repeat the experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure I read one I really liked. And I’m with you. She talks a lot of sense…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous, Geoff. What a beautiful walk through such lovely scenery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The canals are a grand resource. You must have a few?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have some small creeks (only for ducks and swans to swim) and the river Rhine. But we don’t have canals like this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Rhine probably covers all bases. We have nothing quite as awesome as that little stream…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You cannot really ride on the river in our area. Also it is right next to the motorway, so you have all the noise. However, it is an area for biking and walking (dogs). And I can see it from my house (at least as long as the trees don’t have leaves 😂) But we have more picturesque places in our country 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure. We are v lucky having so many paths and waterways than allow walkers even in thr cities
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the walk. So nice to see other places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to get out, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup.
LikeLike
I like canals, wonderful technology. If you want to find out a bit more about the Grand Union, and how it created Paddington, have a look at Canals: The Making of a Nation episode 6, it’s available on iPlayer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will.
LikeLike
That’s a lot of walking but at least most of it looks flat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was v flat which was a compensation.
LikeLike
Walking with friends makes walks seem shorter. That bottle in the plastic bag underneath the street art of a red couch is poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It’s v touching.
LikeLike
An enjoyable, nostalgic trip for me, Geoff. Thank you. Worked in Golden Square and Frith Street, Soho as a secretary in late 40s, early 50s (SO different then…) Part of my courtship was spent walking a lot – who could afford a car?! so fiance and I knew London very well. Aah! Now retired in Spain, which we both love, as our area boasts one of the best climates on the Spanish coast (Costa Blanca), and compared to the UK, the cost of living is much lower. Cheers.
LikeLike