I have to admit, when I discovered this channel I was in a rough place. I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon it but I'm really glad I did. Only a few minutes into the first video I watched I already felt a lot calmer and more at peace with myself. Since then I have always made time to completely relax, breathe, and walk virtually alongside you in these videos. I don't know if you will see this comment but what you do is an incredible thing and I thank you very much for it.
+Dan 'TheLegoPerson' Fiscus thanks so much for sharing this Dan - means a lot to me that these videos connect with people. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment
I know exactly what you mean, Dan. These videos are instantly relaxing and have helped me immensely when I have been suffering from stress and anxiety. I find it quite bizarre how watching someone walk can be so relaxing but I suppose in some ways it is conning your brain and senses in to feeling some of the things you feel when you walk yourself. Obviously John's gentle musings are a major contributing factor to the calming effect also. I've been reading a bit about ASMR videos lately and it kind of ties in I think.
Brings back some good memories my friend, me and me mates used to muck around a lot around the river roding making swings etc, especially In and around Wanstead park and little Ilford park in manor park and all the waste land next to it, we called it the wippets, there used to be old Derelict tunnels etc, all covered up now with grass and the A 406 goes along the back of it, this was our adventure land as kids behind Grantham Road, good ol days. When i was a kid my grandad used to say, :there will be a motorway going through this park one day boy, he weren’t far off was he ? God bless him, this was 48 odd years ago, we grew up in manor park, Lawrence Avenue. Great vids mate 👍👍👍 I’ve just subscribed
From around the age of 14 to around 20, myself and my best friend often used to get the bus from East ham to wanstead park to play tennis on the now dilapidated tennis courts on one corner of the now overgrown football pitches at the start and have a kick around on the pitch one on one. One would boot the ball as far as possible and the other had 10 seconds to retrieve it and score. We'd walk through the unused allotments and explore the sheds...it was like a magical lost land! We'd walk back through the park, past the stables and try to see the horses and then all the way back down the Wanstead Park Avenue, which seemed like the longest road in the world. We'd arrive at the off licence next to the Courtney Hotel and I'd get a Mr Tom and packet of prawn crackers, and we'd jump on the 101 home. One summer we did this same routine pretty much every single day but never tired of it. It was the kind of summer that is never really bettered, no matter what adventures you have later in life. We are still best friends. I still commute from Wanstead station on the 101 to work some days and going past the flats (where I used to have to fish my dad's golf balls out of cows pats from the grazing cattles who once roamed) and being in the area generally always still gives me a really nice feeling.
Just catching up John. Your videos are the perfect accompaniment to being stuck under a sleeping baby. I find they calm my racing mind. I’ve started taking more notice of my surroundings since watching your videos. I’m so lucky to live in a county with so much history. So thank you for that.
The Roding featured a lot in my early years. As a very young lad I lived in Wanstead Park Road, and the Roding flowed past the bottom of our garden. Later when I was at Wanstead High School we played cricket and rugby on the Roding Field at the end of Nightingale Lane. I think the sports field shown here may be that field. On Wednesday afternoons in the summer, some of us would walk along the river to Redbridge station to catch the 66 bus home. The Heron was also the school badge. We ran through Wanstead Park on our cross country runs. The park was the site of Wanstead House, the Glade was the original lawn in front of the house. The "grotto" was the boathouse on the original boating lake of the house. Great memories.
I was born in Ilford, 1966 at the no longer there, but huge 'King George' maternity hospital. we lived in Gants Hill, moved away a few years after. I've been trying to find a flat there for a year now, as it's time to go back. Interesting video .. Thankyou
Thank you so much John for giving so many of us so much enjoyment in watching your videos. I was born in Barking and moved to Debden ,Loughton , one mile from the river Roding then Woodford and Leyton. I now live on the Black mountain, Brecon Beacons, Wales. Your journeys really do bring back so many pleasant and nostalgic memories. Thank you once again, from Michael O'Shea.
Glad to have found these videos - Thanks John. I've walked and cycled a number of these routes and I've always felt like I needed to apologise for finding them really interesting - glad to see other people appreciate them too!
Thanks for watching sw19cam - I know the feeling well, but once you start talking about it you realise just how many other people share the same interest - we're everywhere
John, your walks are a breath of oxygen to the soul. Fantastic. To bring this excellent video up date, January 2023, the Alders Brook in Manor Park, AKA The Butts, is alive and well now due to the efforts of the Friends of the River Roding. A couple of weeks back 20 or 30 volunteers cleaned out the Brook. They removed so much rubbish that when they completed the job the Brook started to flow again! Staying with The Friends of the River Roding, who have a very informative Facebook page, are pushing moves to turn the waste land of the western bank, starting at the Roding Bridge in Ilford, between the river and the A406 into a public access park, finishing in the area adjacent to the A13 which is currently open which you show in your video. They have cleared much of the rubbish, planted trees along a lost route behind the wooden fence which follows the A406 south down to SELCO. For anyone who wishes to keep this route open and is really brave, leave the Ilford bridge on your left walking down onto the A406 slip road. Climb over into the area of grass where the crash barrier slops down. The rest of the route is easy to follow. This group have done so much for the Roding and continue to bring the lower reaches back to life and open for the public. Their Facebook page is well worth a visit. Complete with a drone view of the entire lower Roding area.
Many thanks for the update Christine- this is great news and massive credit to all involved. I walked the proposed new path with Paul Powlesland 2 years ago - a fantastic experience ruclips.net/video/WjfUFQwVkgc/видео.html
Thanks John! I used to work across the Romford Road on Sheringham Avenue in the primary school. Must say I love watching your videos the accompanying music and commentary is very relaxing. My 1 year old enjoys watching it too! 😋
Hi John. This latest walk really brought back a memory. Back in what must have been the early seventies my Nan used to live in Manor Park. I remember her once or twice taking me to a place she called "The Backs" to fish for sticklebacks and minnows, and seeing the video this was clearly the Alders Brook. In those days long before the A406 it was a quite place to go in what was a noisy built up area. Best wishes, Richard
thanks Richard, what a lovely memory. It really has that quality of childhood rivers, I spent a lot of mine in the River Wye as it ran through our village, collecting sticklebacks in a jar
richard picking Was that behind the flats just off romford road manor park, i come from manor park myself and I’m sure this was where my nan took us as kids too, we called it (THE BUTTS) and the path we called the bridal path which took us from the brook up to wanstead flats.
I just looked this up on my AA Guide macbook --- it does my head in to see how 'in London' this is, how close to Poplar - where I stayed with my sone in 2018, and yet in many ways it feels rural, remote, secret and special.
fantastic video the stress of putting up a bathroom cupboard and a roller blind has just floated out on the river Roding. But I do feel sad the way London is disappearing under tons of concrete steel and glass
great way to let go of that stress Gary - constructing an IKEA flatpack brings me to the edge of insanity. It is sad the way London is being developed, hopefully we can still save some of it
Thanks John for posting another fantastic walk. Always look forward to watching your rambles Keep them coming. Good luck with your newest book. Really enjoyed the last one.
I always wanted to walk down the side of the A406 here but didn't think you could. Thank you! I can't help being a little mischievous, though, John, and contradict you by pointing out that the heron is one of the UKs slowest birds in flight; indeed your own SPB Mais in 'It Isn't far from London' calls the heron "the largest, slowest, and greyest of our birds" when he observes one in Surrey (p300 of my Richards Press, 1930 edition). I'm shocked that you would have forgotten! :-)
John Rogers thanx john would love to see a wanstead park film John be great i looked up the history beautiful mansion that once stood there fascinating and the money they spent building it was enormous for the time
Informative as always John love the historical input,and the beautiful views of our forgotten waterways hidden away behind the metropolis.... looking forward to the new publication.Its a pleasure to walk with you.
I do feel a "Dingy down the Roding" (possible new book or feature film?) would allow you get those shots where the paths do not permit around Ilford! Good to see you back.
Really, really like your Roding-themed videos John. Feels like most East Londoners ignore it or don't know it's there? 2:22 - Love those abandoned football pitches - they're labelled 'Royston Gardens' on Google Maps, can't find much history on what was here before.
Thanks Alex, yes parts of the Roding are deserted. I often walk there on winter afternoons when too late to go further afield. I think the football pitches used to belong to Wanstead School
John what is the history of happy valley ... a small stream running along eastern avenue from barley lane junction towards Newbury Park... on left hand side Great place of my youth until I seem to remember a body was found there... 🤭
Fantastic work John. I walked part of this route the morning before the London Overground premier at the Rio last year. Fascinating to see how it changes - in some ways slowly, in others faster than you'd ever imagine!
I love that connection Mike - walking out here then watching Overground at the Rio. Iain has written about Barking in The Last London, he mentioned at the event we did the other night, I'll post the audio later on Soundcloud and my blog
Look forward to hearing that - I finished The Last London last week, and the excursion to Barking was one of the highlights. Noted your cameo appearance too!
brilliant you was nearly right on top of where i live in east ham would love to meet you one day kenneth more was my favourite acto reach for the sky was the film you was talking about when je played Ddouglas bader thanks again excellent work as usual
Wonderful - yes Reach for the Sky, perhaps his best work? Well I'll take up your suggestion for a proper walk around East Ham so keep an eye out for me
I was just thinking yesterday. When is John going to post a film? It's been a while. I'm very grateful for you taking us along with you on your walks John. I'm very excited about the prospect of a new book next year and I'm super excited about reading it. Keep up the writing! Thanks for another great film.
Thanks David - yes it's been an odd period when I keep missing the opportunity to head out, or perhaps it's just me and my son so I leave the camera behind. Thanks for the encouragement with the book, it's shaping up really well.
I wonder when that boat last floated, and why it was left? Perhaps it was an informal ferry across the creek, or an eel catcher's transport? Interesting video as ever, John.
Another fascinating video John. Have you ever considered walking the section of th Greenwich Meridian Trail (GMT) between Leytonstone and Waltham Abbey? You'd need volume 2 of the GMT guide to do this. It was a great pleasure to meet you at Wanstead tube station the other week.
thanks Voxley - that's an interesting thought, I think I've walked most of it in sections 'accidently' but I usually cross the Lea at Chingford so I'll take a look and see where it goes. Great to meet you too - thanks for coming to say hello
High John, thank you for sharing your video with us, I used to live in Hammersmith London but now I live in Utah I can't go for walks anymore because I have muscular dystrophy so I thank you again.
I never knew there were so many walks just outside of the metropolis of London, so close to the countryside of beautiful old England. It makes me wonder if some places are still untouched by human hands that are truly millions of years old. Thank you for taking me along.
lovely video, thanks~ you should explore russia dock woodland to greenland quay. walking along the quay at night with canary wharf all lit up across the thames is one of the most magical sights in london!
Thank you for yet another interesting walk. I especially enjoyed the comment about the great motif of the inevitable shopping trolley. Ironic really how the shopping trolley has come to symbolize two opposite levels of society - on one hand a symbol of plenty, of over-consumption, of the ubiquitous shopping mall; and on the other hand a symbol of the indigent or homeless person. Lovely manhole cover (if that is what it is) at 26:43 - is that shape common in the UK?
The overgrown sports ground belongs to Wanstead high school but they do not have the money for the up keep and can not sell it as its LB Redbridge land The land can not be used for buildings as classed as flood plane it has a funny name kealey and Tong fields
Thank you for taking us on another walk. However, I may have felt the tiniest tinge of disappointment that you didn't get lost, lol :D We look forward to our next wander with you :)
Thank you for watching - yes difficult even for me to get lost on this one, I'm planning a couple of walks that involve map reading so almost certain to get lost then
Sunday mornings, hung over , wind, rain, snow, bumpy, long grass, over, or under inflated football, opponents trying to break your legs. A. referee that is away from The Centre on day release. Happy days mate. We've all been there. Love the tape, that remains stuck to every crossbar in England.
Those interested in the River Roding should recommend reading a blog written by Mike Holliday, who has walked from the River Roding in Barking, where it flows into the River Thames, to it's source in Essex. It's a very fascinating read with pictures. The website is below: www.holli.co.uk/blog-roding-leg-1.htm
John, MY 14th great grandmother is in a tomb at St Lukes Church at Hackney. Can you do a walk that shows the inside of the church? i found it on street view, It looks beautiful. I have no way to visit and see the tomb now, I love watching your videos and It would mean a lot for me to see that grave.
How many times have I been through that underpass as a kid, then sit on the dam. Would hun t rats with a now and arrows along the banks of the river behind little Ilford park.
I'm from East Ham, so that whole area and down to the docks, etc. is my old stomping ground. Another great video John, but ... as an ex-radio guy ... if you speak to the "single person", rather than the crowd, it will sound much more personal.
I know a good title for your next video, Barking up the wrong creek, with out a paddle, or Goon but not forgotten , the lost world of the Goon Show. You could start that walk in the Grafton Arms, Strutton Ground SW1.
Great film as always John. That part of the A13 always struck me (whilst driving to Upton Park) as having a very American feel as discussed in the A13 movie you mentioned- ruclips.net/video/PSj9MMRaPvA/видео.html. VERY "New Jersey Turnpike" :)
I have to admit, when I discovered this channel I was in a rough place. I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon it but I'm really glad I did. Only a few minutes into the first video I watched I already felt a lot calmer and more at peace with myself. Since then I have always made time to completely relax, breathe, and walk virtually alongside you in these videos. I don't know if you will see this comment but what you do is an incredible thing and I thank you very much for it.
+Dan 'TheLegoPerson' Fiscus thanks so much for sharing this Dan - means a lot to me that these videos connect with people. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment
Dan 'TheLegoPerson' Fiscus i agree Dan love these films means alot to people john can't wait for your new book
thanks Norma - hoping to finish a chapter this week in fact
I know exactly what you mean, Dan. These videos are instantly relaxing and have helped me immensely when I have been suffering from stress and anxiety. I find it quite bizarre how watching someone walk can be so relaxing but I suppose in some ways it is conning your brain and senses in to feeling some of the things you feel when you walk yourself. Obviously John's gentle musings are a major contributing factor to the calming effect also. I've been reading a bit about ASMR videos lately and it kind of ties in I think.
The park overlooking the river Uphall Rec was part of Uphall farm and the cows came down to the river to drink
Brings back some good memories my friend, me and me mates used to muck around a lot around the river roding making swings etc, especially
In and around Wanstead park and little Ilford park in manor park and all the waste land next to it, we called it the wippets, there used to be old
Derelict tunnels etc, all covered up now with grass and the A 406 goes along the back of it, this was our adventure land as kids behind Grantham Road, good ol days.
When i was a kid my grandad used to say, :there will be a motorway going through this park one day boy, he weren’t far off was he ? God bless him, this was 48 odd years ago, we grew up in manor park, Lawrence Avenue.
Great vids mate 👍👍👍 I’ve just subscribed
And we all appreciate your walks, John!
+Redford Grange thanks Redford
SEEK OUT JAG BETTYS VIDEO WALKS IN THE DUNDEE AREA FIFESHIRE, I GOT JOHN AND JAG IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND THEY WATCH EACH OTHERS VIDEOS NOW.
Amazing how the River Roding survives in an atmosphere of frenetic development and decay. Great video John
From around the age of 14 to around 20, myself and my best friend often used to get the bus from East ham to wanstead park to play tennis on the now dilapidated tennis courts on one corner of the now overgrown football pitches at the start and have a kick around on the pitch one on one. One would boot the ball as far as possible and the other had 10 seconds to retrieve it and score. We'd walk through the unused allotments and explore the sheds...it was like a magical lost land! We'd walk back through the park, past the stables and try to see the horses and then all the way back down the Wanstead Park Avenue, which seemed like the longest road in the world. We'd arrive at the off licence next to the Courtney Hotel and I'd get a Mr Tom and packet of prawn crackers, and we'd jump on the 101 home. One summer we did this same routine pretty much every single day but never tired of it. It was the kind of summer that is never really bettered, no matter what adventures you have later in life. We are still best friends. I still commute from Wanstead station on the 101 to work some days and going past the flats (where I used to have to fish my dad's golf balls out of cows pats from the grazing cattles who once roamed) and being in the area generally always still gives me a really nice feeling.
Thanks for sharing your walks. I grew up in Ilford in the early 1970s and have only been back once since I left in 1982.
Just catching up John. Your videos are the perfect accompaniment to being stuck under a sleeping baby. I find they calm my racing mind.
I’ve started taking more notice of my surroundings since watching your videos. I’m so lucky to live in a county with so much history. So thank you for that.
The Roding featured a lot in my early years. As a very young lad I lived in Wanstead Park Road, and the Roding flowed past the bottom of our garden. Later when I was at Wanstead High School we played cricket and rugby on the Roding Field at the end of Nightingale Lane. I think the sports field shown here may be that field. On Wednesday afternoons in the summer, some of us would walk along the river to Redbridge station to catch the 66 bus home. The Heron was also the school badge. We ran through Wanstead Park on our cross country runs. The park was the site of Wanstead House, the Glade was the original lawn in front of the house. The "grotto" was the boathouse on the original boating lake of the house.
Great memories.
I was born in Ilford, 1966 at the no longer there, but huge 'King George' maternity hospital. we lived in Gants Hill, moved away a few years after. I've been trying to find a flat there for a year now, as it's time to go back. Interesting video .. Thankyou
Thank you so much John for giving so many of us so much enjoyment in watching your videos. I was born in Barking and moved to Debden ,Loughton , one mile from the river Roding then Woodford and Leyton. I now live on the Black mountain, Brecon Beacons, Wales. Your journeys really do bring back so many pleasant and nostalgic memories. Thank you once again, from Michael O'Shea.
Always a treat when you take us along, Thanks for sharing.
thanks Darrell - I'm looking forward to the next one, got a few great walks planned
Glad to have found these videos - Thanks John. I've walked and cycled a number of these routes and I've always felt like I needed to apologise for finding them really interesting - glad to see other people appreciate them too!
Thanks for watching sw19cam - I know the feeling well, but once you start talking about it you realise just how many other people share the same interest - we're everywhere
John, your walks are a breath of oxygen to the soul. Fantastic. To bring this excellent video up date, January 2023, the Alders Brook in Manor Park, AKA The Butts, is alive and well now due to the efforts of the Friends of the River Roding. A couple of weeks back 20 or 30 volunteers cleaned out the Brook. They removed so much rubbish that when they completed the job the Brook started to flow again! Staying with The Friends of the River Roding, who have a very informative Facebook page, are pushing moves to turn the waste land of the western bank, starting at the Roding Bridge in Ilford, between the river and the A406 into a public access park, finishing in the area adjacent to the A13 which is currently open which you show in your video. They have cleared much of the rubbish, planted trees along a lost route behind the wooden fence which follows the A406 south down to SELCO. For anyone who wishes to keep this route open and is really brave, leave the Ilford bridge on your left walking down onto the A406 slip road. Climb over into the area of grass where the crash barrier slops down. The rest of the route is easy to follow. This group have done so much for the Roding and continue to bring the lower reaches back to life and open for the public. Their Facebook page is well worth a visit. Complete with a drone view of the entire lower Roding area.
Many thanks for the update Christine- this is great news and massive credit to all involved. I walked the proposed new path with Paul Powlesland 2 years ago - a fantastic experience ruclips.net/video/WjfUFQwVkgc/видео.html
Very interesting I live down the road from redbrige roundabout hidden spaces I never knew existed liked your video aldersbrook to ilford thanks john
Thanks John! I used to work across the Romford Road on Sheringham Avenue in the primary school. Must say I love watching your videos the accompanying music and commentary is very relaxing. My 1 year old enjoys watching it too! 😋
Thanks Michael - your 1 year old watching is possibly the best compliment I've ever had
Born and raised in Redbridge and left in 87 before the new roads reuined it all
Most interesting walks places he goes I've never been to
I love your videos. They're always so peaceful and fascinating.
thanks Chris that's very kind of you
Hi John.
This latest walk really brought back a memory. Back in what must have been the early seventies my Nan used to live in Manor Park. I remember her once or twice taking me to a place she called "The Backs" to fish for sticklebacks and minnows, and seeing the video this was clearly the Alders Brook. In those days long before the A406 it was a quite place to go in what was a noisy built up area.
Best wishes, Richard
thanks Richard, what a lovely memory. It really has that quality of childhood rivers, I spent a lot of mine in the River Wye as it ran through our village, collecting sticklebacks in a jar
richard picking
Was that behind the flats just off romford road manor park, i come from manor park myself and I’m sure this was where my nan took us as kids too, we called it (THE BUTTS) and the path we called the bridal path which took us from the brook up to wanstead flats.
I just looked this up on my AA Guide macbook --- it does my head in to see how 'in London' this is, how close to Poplar - where I stayed with my sone in 2018, and yet in many ways it feels rural, remote, secret and special.
Excellent video.
It is so relaxing to watch your videos. Thanks very much for sharing.
Thanks for watching
fantastic video the stress of putting up a bathroom cupboard and a roller blind has just floated out on the river Roding. But I do feel sad the way London is disappearing under tons of concrete steel and glass
great way to let go of that stress Gary - constructing an IKEA flatpack brings me to the edge of insanity. It is sad the way London is being developed, hopefully we can still save some of it
Great video! And the obligatory sandwich shot sneaked in, love it
Thanks John for posting another fantastic walk. Always look forward to watching your rambles Keep them coming. Good luck with your newest book. Really enjoyed the last one.
Thanks Dawn, I really enjoyed this walk even though I was a bit jaded. I'll crack on with the writing now
I always wanted to walk down the side of the A406 here but didn't think you could. Thank you! I can't help being a little mischievous, though, John, and contradict you by pointing out that the heron is one of the UKs slowest birds in flight; indeed your own SPB Mais in 'It Isn't far from London' calls the heron "the largest, slowest, and greyest of our birds" when he observes one in Surrey (p300 of my Richards Press, 1930 edition). I'm shocked that you would have forgotten! :-)
Ha, me too Carl - you're correct they do have a lumbering flight but I guess the start-up time on my camera is even slower
Love your walks John really look forward to them poorly at the moment so lifts me to see them x
Thanks Norma - sorry to hear that you're not in top form at the moment but glad the videos help
John Rogers thanx john would love to see a wanstead park film John be great i looked up the history beautiful mansion that once stood there fascinating and the money they spent building it was enormous for the time
yes I should take it on really rather than nibble away at it
Informative as always John love the historical input,and the beautiful views of our forgotten waterways hidden away behind the metropolis.... looking forward to the new publication.Its a pleasure to walk with you.
thanks so much Richard - I love seeking out these places
Looking forward to the book John.
thanks Stewart
I watched your walk after my own walk and saw 2 different places today :) Thank you very much!
+Oeniz my pleasure- hope you had a good one
I do feel a "Dingy down the Roding" (possible new book or feature film?) would allow you get those shots where the paths do not permit around Ilford! Good to see you back.
great idea I'd love to do that and looked it a few years ago but only found people doing it further upstream
Really, really like your Roding-themed videos John.
Feels like most East Londoners ignore it or don't know it's there?
2:22 - Love those abandoned football pitches - they're labelled 'Royston Gardens' on Google Maps, can't find much history on what was here before.
Thanks Alex, yes parts of the Roding are deserted. I often walk there on winter afternoons when too late to go further afield. I think the football pitches used to belong to Wanstead School
John what is the history of happy valley ... a small stream running along eastern avenue from barley lane junction towards Newbury Park... on left hand side
Great place of my youth until I seem to remember a body was found there... 🤭
I'm not sure to be honest Denise - I think there's something about it on Diamond Geeza's blog though - worth a read
A lady wrote to me saying she thinks it is a tributary of the cran brook ... wonder if it is still there......
Good stuff John. Hope the book gets published.
+Jag Betty thanks Jag - if not I'll do it myself
Thank you John
Another interesting walk...
Always enjoy your vids!
Thank you very much High Octane
Fantastic work John. I walked part of this route the morning before the London Overground premier at the Rio last year. Fascinating to see how it changes - in some ways slowly, in others faster than you'd ever imagine!
I love that connection Mike - walking out here then watching Overground at the Rio. Iain has written about Barking in The Last London, he mentioned at the event we did the other night, I'll post the audio later on Soundcloud and my blog
Look forward to hearing that - I finished The Last London last week, and the excursion to Barking was one of the highlights. Noted your cameo appearance too!
brilliant you was nearly right on top of where i live in east ham would love to meet you one day kenneth more was my favourite acto reach for the sky was the film you was talking about when je played Ddouglas bader thanks again excellent work as usual
Wonderful - yes Reach for the Sky, perhaps his best work? Well I'll take up your suggestion for a proper walk around East Ham so keep an eye out for me
nice one.. river certainly needs topping up.I noticed a very fancey manhole cover in a road..Ta for the entertainment
The mysterious wooden door !😊👍😀
I was just thinking yesterday. When is John going to post a film? It's been a while.
I'm very grateful for you taking us along with you on your walks John.
I'm very excited about the prospect of a new book next year and I'm super excited about reading it. Keep up the writing! Thanks for another great film.
Thanks David - yes it's been an odd period when I keep missing the opportunity to head out, or perhaps it's just me and my son so I leave the camera behind. Thanks for the encouragement with the book, it's shaping up really well.
great vid ,iv always wonderd were that river went thanks
Really enjoyed this!
Really enjoyable walk :)
thanks Lemenelli
I wonder when that boat last floated, and why it was left? Perhaps it was an informal ferry across the creek, or an eel catcher's transport? Interesting video as ever, John.
yes, very intriguing, somebody somewhere knows - both your suggestions carry a certain amount of romance
Another fascinating video John. Have you ever considered walking the section of th Greenwich Meridian Trail (GMT) between Leytonstone and Waltham Abbey? You'd need volume 2 of the GMT guide to do this. It was a great pleasure to meet you at Wanstead tube station the other week.
thanks Voxley - that's an interesting thought, I think I've walked most of it in sections 'accidently' but I usually cross the Lea at Chingford so I'll take a look and see where it goes. Great to meet you too - thanks for coming to say hello
There is now a video of a walk along a section of the Greenwich Meridian Trail in East Hertfordshire on my channel to whet your appetite!
High John, thank you for sharing your video with us, I used to live in Hammersmith London but now I live in Utah I can't go for walks anymore because I have muscular dystrophy so I thank you again.
It's my pleasure Susan and thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment on the video. wishing you all the best
I never knew there were so many walks just outside of the metropolis of London, so close to the countryside of beautiful old England. It makes me wonder if some places are still untouched by human hands that are truly millions of years old. Thank you for taking me along.
P.S. the blue orchid like flower you filmed was a blue iris. I grow them in my garden.
you should look further in to the building on redbridge roundabout,
its quite interesting
You have me intrigued Scott - I'll start researching
good luck
lovely video, thanks~ you should explore russia dock woodland to greenland quay. walking along the quay at night with canary wharf all lit up across the thames is one of the most magical sights in london!
+account user that sounds fantastic thanks
Great video 👍👍
thanks Chris
There is a road i believe called daffodil or something and if you went down there you can get access to the rivee. Been there before
Thanks for the tip - I'll look out for it next time
Thank you for yet another interesting walk. I especially enjoyed the comment about the great motif of the inevitable shopping trolley. Ironic really how the shopping trolley has come to symbolize two opposite levels of society - on one hand a symbol of plenty, of over-consumption, of the ubiquitous shopping mall; and on the other hand a symbol of the indigent or homeless person. Lovely manhole cover (if that is what it is) at 26:43 - is that shape common in the UK?
thanks Mariana and also for unpacking the shopping trolley motif - I wonder what future archaeologists will make of them
The overgrown sports ground belongs to Wanstead high school but they do not have the money for the up keep and can not sell it as its LB Redbridge land The land can not be used for buildings as classed as flood plane it has a funny name kealey and Tong fields
I enjoy these walking vids. Discovered this one recently (youtube doesn't do links) -
Walking Through the River Porter Culverts
Worth watching.
Thanks John - I'll check out that video
Thank you for taking us on another walk. However, I may have felt the tiniest tinge of disappointment that you didn't get lost, lol :D
We look forward to our next wander with you :)
Thank you for watching - yes difficult even for me to get lost on this one, I'm planning a couple of walks that involve map reading so almost certain to get lost then
Sunday mornings, hung over , wind, rain, snow, bumpy, long grass, over, or under inflated football, opponents trying to break your legs. A. referee that is away from The Centre on day release. Happy days mate. We've all been there. Love the tape, that remains stuck to every crossbar in England.
Those interested in the River Roding should recommend reading a blog written by Mike Holliday, who has walked from the River Roding in Barking, where it flows into the River Thames, to it's source in Essex. It's a very fascinating read with pictures. The website is below:
www.holli.co.uk/blog-roding-leg-1.htm
Thanks Dee - that'll be essential reading
Hi johñ Mike. Molloy dublin we have a river Lee here in cork city
Please do Ilford to Goodmayes! You could make it interesting I'm sure.
ah, that's a good idea, thanks - any suggestions of things to look out for along the way?
I'm relying on you for the history John! It's so lovely to see familiar sights as well as finding out fascinating stuff from you.
Interesting, I recognise that road in the beginning of the video.
Thanks John, another great production, but the camera in the shopping trolley didn't work !
+Little Acorns Landscapes thanks- yes it's a tragedy the trolley tracking shot didn't work, could have become a regular feature
John, MY 14th great grandmother is in a tomb at St Lukes Church at Hackney. Can you do a walk that shows the inside of the church? i found it on street view, It looks beautiful. I have no way to visit and see the tomb now, I love watching your videos and It would mean a lot for me to see that grave.
I used to work a plot on that allotment site
How many times have I been through that underpass as a kid, then sit on the dam. Would hun t rats with a now and arrows along the banks of the river behind little Ilford park.
Good fish and chips in Wanstead 😀
You walked right past my work when you were near that industrial wasteland! It's a shame they built over it. It's so claustrophobic now.
We missed having conversation with you too John - suggest shopping trolley camera angles not a future trend.........
thanks very much Jezzy - and you're right about the shopping trolley shot, I just had to give it a go
You should of went northbound on the river roding a lot more green
+Umar Akhtar thanks Umar, I've been North as far as Debden but really need to walk the rest now
Yeah i watched that video few days ago was very scenic and interesting
Hi John! Do you play cricket?
I grew up playing Syed, my Dad was a fanatical cricketer but I haven't played for a long time
@@JohnRogersWalks you must have heard about Imran khan? he is our PM.
I'm from East Ham, so that whole area and down to the docks, etc. is my old stomping ground. Another great video John, but ... as an ex-radio guy ... if you speak to the "single person", rather than the crowd, it will sound much more personal.
I know a good title for your next video, Barking up the wrong creek, with out a paddle, or Goon but not forgotten , the lost world of the Goon Show. You could start that walk in the Grafton Arms, Strutton Ground SW1.
Great film as always John. That part of the A13 always struck me (whilst driving to Upton Park) as having a very American feel as discussed in the A13 movie you mentioned- ruclips.net/video/PSj9MMRaPvA/видео.html. VERY "New Jersey Turnpike" :)
thanks Jason - I remember reading about how, when they did the American version of Gavin and Stacey they transfered Essex to New Jersey