Stumbling across a Lost River in the Lea Valley London (4K)

[@nicfripp4159]

This path was plotted by Gina Harkell way back in the late '80s. It was part of a network of walking and cycling routes she created as part of the upgrade to the North Circular. It was intended to be an alternative to the Lea towpath, but was scuppered when the landowners south of the bridge to the wetlands objected to having the great unwashed access to the riverside. A mutual friend, Adrian Frost, should confirm what I say here

[@victorsorokin9070]

Very relaxing, absolute beauty of that little passage under blossomed trees.

[@robbojax2025]

Peaceful video for Sunday tea time. Thanks

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it Robbo

[@randyw2539]

Your videos are islands of calm. I always feel a sense of wonder and you inspire me to look at my everyday world with new eyes. Thank you for taking us along, our lives are richer for your wanderings.

[@kevinmoore49]

That pub near brimsdown station was called the Issac Walton I used it occasionally when I worked nearby. A sign of the times John pubs are disappearing fast, nice walk mate.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for the info Kevin, let's hope someone saves the pub

[@paulflynn6169]

I love these essays. You unfold more than maps . Thank you John .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks so much Paul

[@leslielutz6140]

The blooms. And soo still. The walk will always be the walk. One of your talents.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Leslie - those blooms were heaven

[@JTTW1455]

A lot of lovely open green space looking so peaceful and with the perfect musical soundtrack. Relaxing walk thank you John.

[@marty9011]

That looked like one of those lovely spring days when you just have to go out. The blossom walk was beautiful.

[@MsSteve70]

Hi John, I met you in the pub on this very day. So lovely to finally shake your hand! Take care, Stephen.

[@TracyPicabia]

Every so often with these walks it hits you just how great the photography is. And not genre photography eother, but a clear, keen eye for form, colour and especially composition. An openness to chance. Truth photography? Fantastic

[@patjackson8649]

Those blossoms, and the heartfelt ‘miss you Nan’ graffiti, made this a perfect Sunday walk. Thank you

[@hArtyTruffle]

Thankyou John 🙏 A much needed virtual bimble 🌳🌞

[@javeediqbal3971]

It was a beautiful day today(CoronationSunday), and I went on a 3 hour walk through Harrow, Wealdstone and Hatch End with my best friend. Always interesting to see the local sites.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that sounds like a classic walk Javeed

[@valpayne2963]

I enjoy joining you on your walks and what I am discovering, or perhaps having to come to terms with, is the sad amount of dereliction, destruction and a disregard for nature there is. Empty buildings, rubbish, graffiti, clogged and dirty waterways. Stark concrete blocks in uncared for streets. It was almost a relief to see, in contrast, the well kept MacDonalds car park. Thank goodness for blossomed paths reminding us that there is hope and beauty.

[@danielboulton98]

Always used to cycle up the Lee as a teen from Woolwich up to Cheshunt on those endless summer days. Good times

[@rachelcaullay172]

Another lovely walk John. I would love to have a canal boat on the river Lea.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Rachel - I've often fantasised about live on a boat on the upper Lea too

[@SyedWinder91]

My friends and I regularly kayak on the Lea Navigation, we were on it literally couple days after you were there in this video!

[@mickeythompson9537]

Wow! That blossom path!!

[@lesliegprice6652]

Missed you John these last couple of weeks, nice to see you old friend, great video my favourite River Lea and the reservoirs , beautiful landscape , thanks for sharing , look forward to a longer one next time , cheerio chum 🌈💙⭐🌸☯️

[@markriley4665]

What a delightful spring walk John. I am getting to know this area a little myself having been up to Pole Hill and Enfield Town. Looking forward to exploring Waltham Abbey.

[@tilerman]

Hi Mark, the area around Enfield Lock is really nice, some lovely walks along the relief channels behind Enfield Island Village. Some really nice quiet spots with few people around and right now the spring flowers look amazing.

[@nwlondontimemachine9484]

That was fun. I liked the sponteniety of it.

[@Tsass0]

A thumbs up for walking past the maccas

[@becbec3541]

The highlight of my Sunday x

[@JohnRogersWalks]

hope you enjoyed the video Bec

[@chrisvaughan3688]

Another nice walk John and I'll see you on the next walk wherever that might be... 🍺

[@Listermintsluesh]

Id fish with my grandad along the lea near the waste company in the 80s. We often went as far as the willow trees towards picketts lock...as polluted as it is and probably was we always had a good day fishing. There was a pub opposite the wood yard in those days.

[@531c]

Lovely walk there mate. I cycle from North Herts to Walthamstow to visit a relative via Ware then lea valley towpath. Must bring out the be best in people, barge dwellers, dog walkers pedestrians usually quite cheery. I slow right down give priority to those on foot. That we can travel from east end to rural hertfordshire without going in a motor is nice. Shanks' pony best to take it all in. Nice vid John, cheers

[@michaelmiller641]

Nice miniature walk, there John. The canal is there, the canal must always be here!

[@BaronMichaelDeBlone1066]

This looked very pleasant. Sometimes it is just nice to spontaneously get the boots on and walk thinking up possible routes as you go. And yes that is always when they decide to knacker up public transport for the day in one way or another. At least you didn't get the double whammy of the weather turning. Very diplomatically handled as ever and I hope you got home within reasonable time. Obviously asking too much re: a certain well known fast food chain who do not like to be mentioned by name in the negative. Crikey watch out John, we don't want you getting cancelled from the airwaves. No contest for sure once you spotted a real eating place though was there. My toughest test of resistance was walking past a pub on the Oldham way one Sunday lunchtime. The waft of Yorkshire Pudding and gravy coming out the kitchen window was pure torture. I made that with my dinner today and this video triggered the old memory banks from around 20 years ago. That was a lovely day too.

[@iTomAnks]

Thanks for another great video, John. Inspired a walk from Waltham Abbey to Meridian Water for me last Saturday!

[@rossybink]

Spring has sprung for sure. All praise the mighty pylon 😊 Ross x

[@N-M362]

Love your videos, John. I was brought up in Highams Park in the 70s and your clips always fill me with a mixture of nostalgia and interest to see how things have changed. Keep 'em coming!

[@daveconyard8946]

Thank You John, Nice walk in the urban Spring . Stay Safe .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Dave

[@sonicfactory-uk]

Great walk! Thanks for sharing with us.

[@GeorgeChoy]

lovely walk on a lovely day, thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers George

[@richieixtar5849]

Lovely walk John, those cherry blossoms where wonderful and you resisted the temptation at the end, it would have only given you indigestion anyway :)

[@plannerjohn]

A majestic, mother pylon indeed. 😂❤

[@keithprater310]

Enjoyable as ever.just found out that many Archbishops of Canterbury traveled to this area near Bognor following a ancient trackway that links to the Roman Stane st.history is so bloody wonderful.

[@Rudey-vk5uk]

Hey John. Long time watcher, first time commenter! I felt for you there when you said there were no trains. But did you know that the 307 bus you got on took you past the famous “Enfield Poltergeist” house on Green Street? That’s another video for you if you’ve never done one before! Cheers and keep up the great work. Love the videos. 👍🏻👏🏻

[@john80c]

Nice stroll through a pleasant suburb with the bonus of a further lost river- excellent.

[@Jgn1skaane]

Thank you so much för bringing us on this wonderful stroll! From your videos I've picked an interest for the area; far from the tourist areas. I will certainly go there. Whenever that will be 😊

[@RedStickHistorian]

It is often fun and interesting to just let one's feet make the decision on which way to walk. Thanks.

[@yankytyke]

Thank you for uploading on a Sunday. Your videos bring a certain amount of coziness that is needed on a Sunday.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It gives me a lot of pleasure to upload on a Sunday, it just seems to fit

[@stevebersey4998]

Remember when there was a Sunday Market in Edmonton. All now built on with the Meridian Water development.

[@celestehughes5093]

I always find your videos so relaxing, I tend to watch them to wind down before bed, soothing and calming which is something of a rarity to find when you have ADHD

[@RubbishGimpy]

It reminds me of parts of The Netherlands. I have never ever been into the reservoirs. 15yrs I've been riding the Lea. I'll have a look this summer. The Lea and canal boats give me a feeling of what pre-industrial London could feel like. Its London, but Constables London.

[@ThisWontEndWell]

A nice little film that raises some questions for exploration on another day... An amuse-bouche.

[@stashedawayman1521]

The 'blossom path' at 10:05, is formed of an avenue of a planted cultivar of our "Wild or Native Cherry", "Gean or "Mazzard" - Prunus avium. The double flowered cultivar planted is thus, the "Double Gean" - Prunus avium 'Plena', alas growing far too large or broad for the average city or suburban garden. It is better suited for urban parkland rather than roadside verge planting.

[@jackpayne4658]

Living near Kingston-upon-Thames, there is a definite parallel with Waltham Abbey at the opposite quadrant of London. Both ancient towns, slowly absorbed by London's expansion. Instead of the Lea Valley reservoirs, Kingston has a similar series, stretching out along the Thames towards Walton. But there is a distinctly different flavour - Waltham has an outer-East End edginess which Kingston lacks (if 'lacks' is the right word).

[@taomahNEGEV]

Proud of you resisting temptation.

[@stevegoody3434]

Done this walk from Walthamstow star point Manzies pie mash then on. To Waltham abbey and more pie 11:45 mash in Tony’s pie mash

[@telogic1]

Thanks John this route was my playground as a kid growing up in the 70's and 80's brought back memories for me as I have not seen the area for many decades.

[@Jpkjr52]

Thanks again John in Chicago

[@gphunk1995]

Wonderful video.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks G Phunk

[@pauldrozdz7571]

Nice to see you back on my manor. And as ever, a charming little video to conclude a relaxing Sunday

[@thomasbrackpool8568]

Strangely those black pods are a drive-in cinema that sprung up during covid

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you John for this pretty walk, I did enjoy it 💕🇦🇺

[@BenJamin-rt7ui]

Oh to have walk the banks of the River Lea before humans industrialised it. What a beautiful place that must have been.

[@johnmurray8428]

Thank you as always, great walk. The blossom in April, it will be three weeks before we see it.

[@shiprapandey43172]

Beautiful landscape everywhere greenery, Very beautiful blossom 🌸 tree and white blossom bushes of flowers ❤,industrialization polluted every place especially rivers and trees and Humans health also, but Very mesmerizing scenery of England (Great Britain )this is, which you showed in Your this travel episode.Very clean nice...🙂💖👌👩‍💻💯really this is the river of dreams and dreams true .Really dream city London,England...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for the lovely comment Shipra

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Cool improvised walk - love those tow paths. Thanks!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A pleasant riverside ramble with some amazing tree blossom. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Malcolm glad you enjoyed it

[@robertmaitland09]

Always look up when under a pylon. Cheers John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

best advice Bob - cheers

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

You always find plenty of interesting spots John… even the Royal Cafe 😀. I have visions of your long term subscribers thinking ‘what’s he talking about not being to this area before, he was there in 2020!’ 🤭😉

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's so strange how I've missed that little pocket near the Mossops Creek, now I wonder just how many more gems I've repeatedly walked past on this route

[@chrisblay]

Certainly a different perspective of the north circular. All that traffic thundering overhead and the calmness of a walk by the river below.

[@paulasser1589]

Hi John, the 307 bus would have taken you past the house of the ‘Enfield haunting on Green Street. The two white towers are part of the extension to the Edmonton waste management centre. Nice little walk, I look forward to them each week.

[@ChownieNaturalMrUniverse]

I just looked to see if anyone had mentioned the Enfield haunting on Green Street as I was going to mention it 😎

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I really need to go back to Enfield for a proper walkabout

[@ArthurStone]

The walk is the walk: nice freestyle vibe John. Thanks and Best : D

[@SirPrancelot1]

Thanks John. Exploration of the edgelands always a pleasure. Unlike driving around the North Circular......

[@sarahjane8949]

Lovely walk I live in Highams park 👍👌🤗

[@heidgandreiter8438]

Hi John, caught some paranormal EVP spirit audio at 0.25x video speed. Here's a respectful analysis: 4:11 'Det er slotte og tårne for englænderne' ('These are castles and towers for the English'), 5:30 'We're walking across England'. 6:04 'Der er Odin-banneret, der er Odin' ('There is the Odin banner, there is Odin'), 6:05 'Så hviler vi i kærlighed' ('Then we rest, lovingly'). A female spirit now says 6:08 'Nye Hastings' ('New Hastings'). This seem to possibly be related to the Viking Age. At 11:24 you say 'Leaside Industrial Estate', but to me it also sounds as if you're saying 'Heid, in dust you'll stay'. True, indeed I will. Thank you, great walk, perfectly timed to capture the trees in bloom. The Völve, Asatru shaman of Denmark and the Lands of the North

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s really intriguing Heid, many thanks

[@kimdeakin7678]

Great video video thanks thanks john

[@CthulhuInc]

fantastic - it's just after midnight, and i'm just trying to unwind before i [try to] sleep, and what better way than my usual practice of watching one of your videos, john! thanks once again - love from canada!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So glad it helped Cthulhulnc

[@ralphwinter6421]

Nice one John, gud walk...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Ralph

[@briancox4339]

Fantastic walk John love the Lee valley and surrounding areas thanks for sharing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Brian

[@greghavers821]

nice John!! thanks for this!!!!

[@michaeldillon3113]

Even though I beasted myself in the bkuebell filled woods near sevenoaks ( one tree hill ) today it was still lovely to join you in this chillaxing walk John . Thanks ✌️

[@tcpip9999]

Fabulous!

[@aethellstan]

the pub was the izaak walton, second pub in the immediate area to close down, i believe it's going to be turned into (yes you've guessed it) flats.

[@danbuckman5691]

Lived on a canal boat on the Lea for years and used to walk my dog all around there. So many lovely memories from around that area. Thanks for posting this.

[@janispope4295]

Do you know why someone would moor up under the flyover road, it seems unpleasant, is it just shortage of mooring spots or a more interesting reason I haven’t considered?

[@danbuckman5691]

@@janispope4295 possibly because they’re working on their boats and they need to be kept dry - if repainting etc.

[@ianpick3218]

Thank you John . I like your vids very much. They are beautifully presented and very evocative! Kind regards. Ian

[@likeakite]

Nice walk. I liked the bus ride at the end. The bus ride is the bus ride

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ha, it was a good one

[@lizbellamy1]

“Walking through the pylon. Always a powerful moment.” Was that punintentional? 😂

[@ashleysgaze]

An engaging landscape John! ❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It’s endlessly fascinating to me Ashley, thanks

[@janetsherwood7210]

Thank you for the Saturday short walk about. I watched it twice! Love every video you make. Enjoy your enthusiasm, your humour, the sites & sounds. Plus you are a friendly pleasure to hear & see! Loved the powerful moment walking under the mother of pylons. Lol. You are the best. 🌳🌿🌾🌸

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you so much Janet

[@juliansmith1888]

Would love to see you walk some of the Saxon Shore Way

[@williammorrison5678]

Great weather John.

[@aethellstan]

john, love your vlog as always. a question arises, are you able to include a map of your walks on your videos or is this too much work?

[@joeleadbetter3296]

That derelict pub you passed near Brimsdown was called The Izzak Walton. It later became the Station Tavern for a short while until its permanent closure. On your bus journey down Green Street, you would have directly passed the most haunted house ever recorded (allegedly) in UK. The Enfield Poltergeist. I'm sure you have read or heard about it John.

[@Tom_J23]

Thanks for video John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Tom - glad you enjoyed it

[@dambrooks7578]

Nice Transmission tower Pylon 😊

[@fwof3347]

Not a lost river, I used to play there in the 80’s as a kid .. where I lived it backed on to the canal, Lea and old Lea… green bridge , Stonebridge etc. black brigade

[@ianmaddams9577]

Nice little mooch about . Got to love the huge dominant pylons guiding and singing along the route . The blossom filled path was beautiful

[@seanjamescameron]

3:14 That’s the new desktop image right there.

[@LezMarwick]

"...no lunch is better than a MacDonald's lunch!!!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@williamrobinson7435]

This is great! I really love the semi-impromptu films, you don't always need stacks o' facts, just a glimpse of a beautiful part of London like this is enough. Were I to have a criticism of this, it would merely be that it's a bit short. The name 'Stockingswater' is one with which to conjour.. Perhaps its a warning to people that those who've been on a particularly long walk might've washed thier socks upstream, so, if thirsty it's McDonald's or the cafe.. Using my undoubted psychic powers I shall now guess what you had for lunch. 2 bacon, egg, 3 hash browns, mush, beans, sausage, 2 toast and a cup of tea. Am I right John? And more importantly, is the cafe any good? Nice one John. 🌟👍

[@geoffgeorge3685]

Hi John. Another great walk thanks. Next time you have a Q&A, I'd welcome your thoughts on your choice of music. There's some selections on here I really love now, setting a real tone for the piece. Do you have these in mind before you walk or do you sense afterwards what might work best? I've learned so much about London from my home in the East Mids! Cheers!

[@barrytcook1]

The pub was the Izaac walton ....

[@BenJamin-rt7ui]

I know. Another one. Very sad.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Barry

[@debbiecarter6430]

Lovely

[@MARKCHAPLE]

Nice video 📸

[@stevegee7593]

Are sheep still use to mow the grass at the reservoir.