Dear John; thank you very much for making these videos. I plan to watch a great deal of them! My good old mum recommended your channel to me. She was born in Loughton but moved to Epping in the 1970s. I lived there for 24 years, and "Lower Swaines" was my playground, along with Bell Common and much of Epping Forest. My Grandad, who grew up in Buckhurst Hill, knew the Forest like the back of his hand as a lad - so really its served to fascinate 3 generations of our family, at least. Having explored the area in increasing layers as I graduated from bicycles to cars; so many of the roads, towns, places and pubs you visit/mention are familiar to me. However, as a younger person I perhaps lacked a calm appreciation of the detail and history of the area, that I appreciate you bring in your videos. Whilst it has been sad to see the spread of Greater London into the towns of Loughton and Epping, along with increasing chain stores and orange Essex (TOWIE) culture - the countryside and history in the area still speak for themselves! I've not been for a decent walk or cycle round there in a few years... I feel I'm overdue a trip back.
@AmateurHour I agree there is so much to appreciate here. Thanks for sharing your interesting local experience it always helps with the bigger picture.
First read 'Danny, Champion of the world' aged 12 at school. Loved it. Popped into the local library and re-read it last year, aged 50, to see if it was as I remembered. It was. And more. If you're an adult, read it again. And recommend it to youngsters who may come from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
Nice story about Roald Dahl. Great country walk...I got us lost today , I'm the opposite to you, good in the country but hopeless with the roads. All good fun and adds to the adventure. Stay well John and thanks for another super stroll.
Nodding away once again here John. I think you speak for a lot of experienced walkers. I am currently inactive and getting the experience second hand thanks to the likes of your good self. I had largely recovered from a long illness just as covid started so it has been doubly frustrating for myself but I know I am not alone and hope things begin to improve for everybody asap. I am setting myself a target of getting up to date with your videos (in chronological order) then see where things are at. Thank goodness for rowing machines and exercise bikes. Apologies, I do waffle a bit as a consequence - guess it is the lack of direct human contact for days at a time. That is also why I appreciate the walks where you are accompanied by one or two of your interesting and knowledgeable friends. Golf courses - I ended up where I had started trying to negotiate one of them. Then as you have mentioned on an earlier video there are the low flying balls to watch out for. There is a course in Saddleworth which has a sign literally warning walkers about this so maybe somebody had a word. We had some fun going past that with me leading a party of about 18, I think it was 18... . As Billy Connolly once joked; 'that's another good walk spoiled'. When it comes to those diagonal footpaths marked on the map but not visible to the naked eye (if there at all), if I can see a stile or gateway at the corresponding point then I go across as close to the direction on the map as possible but if I cannot see one also tend to go around. In my experience the way through is usually where OS have indicated and quite often accompanied with a footpath sign. Occasionally they seem to have a path marked on the different side of the wall to where it clearly runs. When I lived out in the country, the path down to the main village was across a field which the farmer used to muck spread. Absolutely wonderful for the back of the nostrils in the height of summer that was, not so great on a day when I was heading to work though, a bit like tiptoeing through a minefield [chuckle]. I love pheasant at Christmas but they have been thin on the ground for a few years where I am. Aldi and Lidl were both selling some really good quality frozen ones for £7-£8 for a while. You reminded me of defrosting them with that prodding method of your dad's. Great stuff : )
What a strange strange situation. Depopulated rurality, adjoining over populated urbanity. Quite ludicrous. Hung a pheasant the other day. Head downwards. 48 hours in a cold airy wood shed. Delicious. Dont let it rot!
Epping Upland between Epping and Roydon via Epping Green is very empty and high and can be quite bleak in winter. A major path crosses the T in epping green by the pub and Thai Restuarant.. Also drive into garage at Jacks Hatch it IS NOT SELF SERVICE and helpful staff fill up car and check tyres a 50s garage... Like Roydon Horseshoes a good pub plus 2 more Pubs and a great Chemist..
walking in boudicca territory,...brilliant walk John,,,,,,out in the sticks squire, where you should be,where we all come from ,,,,and we all should be,,,,i love it history were we came from...and educating the peeps on local stuff ,its good to give knowledge.Thanks John .
Thanks for posting another great walk. Always look forward to watching your adventures (and some of your misadventures as well.) You live in a truly beautiful part of the world.
Inspiring, John, as always - I'm glad you, too, hate orienteering across golf courses: I've come acrop in Ockendon and Hanwell, recently, while traversing them; and while walking in the environs of the former I too was accompanied by the sounds by the Arena Essex Raceway, on which my brother and his mates used to race back in the '80s. Thanks for reviving the memory ....
Hi John, notice strong spirit energy related to you mentioning Boudica: Please observe time code numeral magic 3:57 - figure refers to a very strong weapon. Also notice EVP at 0.25x video speed 4:14 -16 'Boudica', the Electronic Voice Phenomenon, spirit using the energy of a passing vehicle to manifest. Respectful analysis The Völve Asatru shaman of Denmark
Hello John, I'm new to your walks, but wanted to thank you for the wonderful ambiance they create, while showing me so much I never knew, especially about the London I grew up in. All the best with future rambles.
Excellent, as ever. Reminded me of a poem by Atilla the Stockbroker about Jerry Hayes "From Roydon to Nazeing his vote was amazing" I can't find a copy online but did find this recent interview ruclips.net/video/7_6go9NZcU0/видео.html where he talks about Roydon, Harlow, Jerry Hayes and Stort Beat Records.
Watching your videos helps me with my loniness John
Dear John; thank you very much for making these videos. I plan to watch a great deal of them! My good old mum recommended your channel to me. She was born in Loughton but moved to Epping in the 1970s.
I lived there for 24 years, and "Lower Swaines" was my playground, along with Bell Common and much of Epping Forest. My Grandad, who grew up in Buckhurst Hill, knew the Forest like the back of his hand as a lad - so really its served to fascinate 3 generations of our family, at least. Having explored the area in increasing layers as I graduated from bicycles to cars; so many of the roads, towns, places and pubs you visit/mention are familiar to me. However, as a younger person I perhaps lacked a calm appreciation of the detail and history of the area, that I appreciate you bring in your videos.
Whilst it has been sad to see the spread of Greater London into the towns of Loughton and Epping, along with increasing chain stores and orange Essex (TOWIE) culture - the countryside and history in the area still speak for themselves!
I've not been for a decent walk or cycle round there in a few years... I feel I'm overdue a trip back.
@AmateurHour I agree there is so much to appreciate here. Thanks for sharing your interesting local experience it always helps with the bigger picture.
First read 'Danny, Champion of the world' aged 12 at school. Loved it. Popped into the local library and re-read it last year, aged 50, to see if it was as I remembered. It was. And more. If you're an adult, read it again. And recommend it to youngsters who may come from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
Nice story about Roald Dahl. Great country walk...I got us lost today , I'm the opposite to you, good in the country but hopeless with the roads. All good fun and adds to the adventure. Stay well John and thanks for another super stroll.
+Jag Betty thanks Jag, it's always nice those memories return when you're walking. I'll check out your vid
Having moved to Malta 15 yrs ago after living in Loughton i miss the countryside a lot so nice to watch this vid, thanks for posting.
Love the UK countryside and London!...very enjoyable tour,glad I found this!...greetings from SouthFlorida,USA.
Thank you marie elena, hope all is well is South Florida
Nodding away once again here John. I think you speak for a lot of experienced walkers. I am currently inactive and getting the experience second hand thanks to the likes of your good self. I had largely recovered from a long illness just as covid started so it has been doubly frustrating for myself but I know I am not alone and hope things begin to improve for everybody asap. I am setting myself a target of getting up to date with your videos (in chronological order) then see where things are at. Thank goodness for rowing machines and exercise bikes. Apologies, I do waffle a bit as a consequence - guess it is the lack of direct human contact for days at a time. That is also why I appreciate the walks where you are accompanied by one or two of your interesting and knowledgeable friends.
Golf courses - I ended up where I had started trying to negotiate one of them. Then as you have mentioned on an earlier video there are the low flying balls to watch out for. There is a course in Saddleworth which has a sign literally warning walkers about this so maybe somebody had a word. We had some fun going past that with me leading a party of about 18, I think it was 18... . As Billy Connolly once joked; 'that's another good walk spoiled'.
When it comes to those diagonal footpaths marked on the map but not visible to the naked eye (if there at all), if I can see a stile or gateway at the corresponding point then I go across as close to the direction on the map as possible but if I cannot see one also tend to go around. In my experience the way through is usually where OS have indicated and quite often accompanied with a footpath sign. Occasionally they seem to have a path marked on the different side of the wall to where it clearly runs. When I lived out in the country, the path down to the main village was across a field which the farmer used to muck spread. Absolutely wonderful for the back of the nostrils in the height of summer that was, not so great on a day when I was heading to work though, a bit like tiptoeing through a minefield [chuckle].
I love pheasant at Christmas but they have been thin on the ground for a few years where I am. Aldi and Lidl were both selling some really good quality frozen ones for £7-£8 for a while. You reminded me of defrosting them with that prodding method of your dad's. Great stuff : )
What a strange strange situation. Depopulated rurality, adjoining over populated urbanity. Quite ludicrous.
Hung a pheasant the other day. Head downwards. 48 hours in a cold airy wood shed. Delicious. Dont let it rot!
Lovely, I haven't had pheasant in quite a while.
Had never heard of hanging pheasants. How interesting and strange.
all game (rabbit, hare, pheasant, partridge etc) should be hung for a certain time before cooking
Epping Upland between Epping and Roydon via Epping Green is very empty and high and can be quite bleak in winter.
A major path crosses the T in epping green by the pub and Thai Restuarant..
Also drive into garage at Jacks Hatch it IS NOT SELF SERVICE and helpful staff fill up car and check tyres a 50s garage...
Like Roydon Horseshoes a good pub plus 2 more Pubs and a great Chemist..
thanks for those notes Chris
I see why you call country roads in Essex death roads. That apart the walk was superb especially the different field paths.
walking in boudicca territory,...brilliant walk John,,,,,,out in the sticks squire, where you should be,where we all come from ,,,,and we all should be,,,,i love it history were we came from...and educating the peeps on local stuff ,its good to give knowledge.Thanks John .
thanks so much Richard, really pleased you enjoyed it, I long to be out over those hills
Thanks for posting another great walk. Always look forward to watching your adventures (and some of your misadventures as well.) You live in a truly beautiful part of the world.
thank you Dawn, I feel incredibly lucky to live here and love sharing it with people
Another excellent video John, intensely entertaining and calming to the soul !
thanks Little Acorns - was certainly calming to my soul, so glad to share that
Inspiring, John, as always - I'm glad you, too, hate orienteering across golf courses: I've come acrop in Ockendon and Hanwell, recently, while traversing them; and while walking in the environs of the former I too was accompanied by the sounds by the Arena Essex Raceway, on which my brother and his mates used to race back in the '80s. Thanks for reviving the memory ....
thanks Carl, and good to know I'm not alone here. Lovely memory of the Arena Essex Raceway - could be good for a walk perhaps
Hi John, notice strong spirit energy related to you mentioning Boudica: Please observe time code numeral magic 3:57 - figure refers to a very strong weapon.
Also notice EVP at 0.25x video speed 4:14 -16 'Boudica', the Electronic Voice Phenomenon, spirit using the energy of a passing vehicle to manifest.
Respectful analysis
The Völve
Asatru shaman of Denmark
I am 'binge watching' your videos. Fascinating to see all the areas I've explored on my bike and parts around them
Thanks - hope you're enjoying the videos
Another great walk through beautiful scenery John. Thank you for taking us along and educating us along the way.
My pleasure as always Darrell, was a really great walk, can't wait to get back out there
Hello John, I'm new to your walks, but wanted to thank you for the wonderful ambiance they create, while showing me so much I never knew, especially about the London I grew up in. All the best with future rambles.
+Mark Szawlowski thanks Mark, that's very kind of you.
Excellent fun , moody walk
Thanks, John. I really enjoy your walks. They are always very evocative.
+Ian Rubenstein thanks Ian
Thank you for yet another beautiful video of this area that I love so well. Following along by google earth!
John I enjoy your reminiscences of your father. He seems like a fine fellow. Would you consider doing a film about him ? (if you've not already)
thanks Boyd, that's a really nice idea - his name comes up a lot in my next walk, I'll give a video with him some proper thought
That was a lovely walk :)
+Lemenelli thanks Lemenelli
John, 17:15 this is my hometown of Hoddesdon. PS love your videos
Hahaha used to go epping forest with the school
Excellent, as ever. Reminded me of a poem by Atilla the Stockbroker about Jerry Hayes "From Roydon to Nazeing his vote was amazing" I can't find a copy online but did find this recent interview ruclips.net/video/7_6go9NZcU0/видео.html where he talks about Roydon, Harlow, Jerry Hayes and Stort Beat Records.
Many thanks for that Lorenzo - great reference, I'll check out the video