Walk the River Stort - Broxbourne, Harlow, Bishop's Stortford

[@jacquelinepaddock7535]

Lovely, lucky you had the drink when you did, the pubs in Bishops Stortford that I know of (ish) are more central. Glad you found the river part of the Harlow sculptural trail, there are more goodies. The industrial estate you remarked also has its own hidden gem, a Roman temple, evidently there was an industrial complex there even then, pottery mostly.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Jacqueline Paddock thanks Jacqueline, really glad I went back for this walk, want to next spend a day exploring Harlow and will definitely visit the Roman temple

[@diogenesagogo]

I was drug up in 'Arlow Noo Tahn & was obsessed with fishing the river Stort through my adolescence. It filled my dreams for years where it transmuted into somewhere else (a dreamscape you might say). My favourite bits were the little back streams that meandered between sections of the canal; there's a particularly beautiful one which defines Hunsdon Mead. It is, or at least was fifty-odd years ago, a narrow stream flowing rapidly through an impenetrable tangle of small trees & bushes, widening occasionally into pools full of small roach & dace playing, dappling the water's surface in the late evening. Et in Arcadia ego. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@SirPrancelot1]

Great memory.

[@cappokenneth]

I spent a few years as a Taxi driver in Hoddesdon, I never got to walk the River Stort, Having shattered my heel bone in a motorcycle accident, and had two heart attacks, I can't walk as far as you, so a big thank you for sharing John, I still walk, and cycle along the lea and other places, I have had a few meals, and beers in the fish and eels, Just love seeing your videos, most in places I have passed through. Thanks again Ken

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Ken Sabbarton many thanks Ken, it's a pleasure sharing my walks. I must go back for a visit to the Fish and Eels

[@oeniz]

Very meditative and relaxing videos. As a new Londoner, I am following your footsteps both by watching and walking, thank you very much.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That's great to hear Oeniz - enjoy your London explorations

[@martinlawrence8427]

Having been born in Stortford, grown up in Harlow and been a lifelong fishing nut, a lot of my childhood was spent on this stretch of river, so thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@patthewoodboy]

a few years ago I was chatting with a couple who had come from Birmingham on a Narrow boat , we were at the Roydon lock , they told me the canal from Roydon to Harlow mill was the most beautiful they had ever travelled

[@davidfarrell7373]

Fantastic John. 19 miles. That was a long one. You captured the dusk beautifully in that one. Gorgeous light. Many thanks. Dave

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Dave

[@jde9095]

Another great walk filled with knowledge that is truly appreciated. Thank you for sharing, Take Care.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Darrell Eidse thanks Darrell - all the best

[@mickymazda1]

Ive been watching your videos for some time John, and am now going through the back catalogue. I didn't realise until this one just how much the music adds to the contemplative, wistful feel of the films. It's an absolute delight!

[@tyrcarver2099]

I am finding it difficult to walk any distance at the moment, your films bring me such great joy. You do not know the good you are doing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So Sorry to hear of your ailment Tyr, glad the films are helping in some way, and greatly appreciate you sharing this with me. Just about to upload a great walk from Sunday. All the best for a thorough recovery

[@CyclingSteve]

Hi John, great to see the Stort again. I cycled up the Lea last year from Hackney, found that tiny sign for the Stort and followed it. What an amazingly beautiful river and landscape, I only made it about halfway along and had to turn around to get back in the light. Having seen your video I think I'll be getting the train to Bishops Stortford (from Lea Bridge Stn) and cycling back to hackney this weekend. Thanks for reminding me, amazing video.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+amigiac many thanks - hope you have a great journey - traveling in that direction should bring to the Fish and Eels at the right time for a pint

[@alex-E7WHU]

Spent two years on a narrowboat up and down the stort and the lea. Wonderful life.

[@borderlands6606]

Excellent walk. Permissive paths often close one day a year, usually on a significant day like Whitsun or Maunday Thursday to maintain the ancient rights with the land owner. These films are much better than TV!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Borderlands many thanks indeed for that, will now look out for more of these Permissive Paths

[@borderlands6606]

"A permissive path is often closed on a specified calendar day each year (lawful only if it is not already a public right of way of some description), and clearly signed (eg signpost or waymark) as permissive. The act of so closing or signing it ensures that any future use of it does not count towards the 20 years use 'as of right' needed to establish its public status. These are precautions to prevent it becoming designated as a statutory right of way in relation to its permitted use". Rights of Way in England and Wales

[@djburland]

Good to see you on the stort, I live in Harlow and walk the stort often

[@alex-E7WHU]

Screenshotted it, definitely my old boat.. And I was living on it at the time. 👍 Thanks for that nostalgic ramble.

[@banzospod]

Fabulous walk,and made me homesick,and i liked the music also.thank.

[@missmolly2327]

Another amazing trip down memory lane for this Essex girl! I remember we would gallop our ponies through the flooded meads outside Roydon when I was a girl. Thank you John Rogers.

[@chrismccartney8668]

As you left pub there was a big white building that is where i worked for number if years and thus commuted out of London from South Woodford to Harlow often via backroads on a motorcycle i.e. Epping New Road B181 182..

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

The first time your work came to my notice was when I searched online for pictures of Nazeing, my father's family's ancestral home (until 1638). That video just referenced a golf course, so it's nice to hear you lift up the ancient findings there. My great grandfather's name was Harlow, and in the absence of any other information, I suspect it was a nod to the town you are visiting today. It's getting late for me, but I haven't given up hope of someday seeing the Sacred River Lea in person, and not just on my teeshirt. Perhaps I'll put that on today in honor of this walk popping up on my algorithm.

[@JagBetty]

That was an epic, filled with wee nuggets of information...excellent John, a nice and enjoyable 'shlep'.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Jag Betty thanks Jag

[@robnewman6101]

Bishop's Stortford Train Station opened on the 16 May 1842. Regin of Queen Victoria 1837-1901.

[@voxley19]

Another amazing video John. I really enjoyed watching this as it went over some familiar ground when I walked the Three Forests Way last year.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+voxley19 thanks voxley - I really must walk the Three Forests Way some time

[@dolorespinto3106]

So beautiful.

[@janaltus]

Hi, I'm a continuous cruiser and tend to stick to the Stort and upper Lea Navigation. I can't move the boat during the CV-19 Lockdown so your walks are a welcome relief. It's also interesting, seeing a route I've done dozens of times on the boat; but from the perspective of a walker on the towpath. Thank you very much for sharing your walk with us and especially your insight into the Pagan features of the Stort.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Janaltus - this was such a magical walk, I revisit it in my mind often

[@CaroleMora22]

Absolutely stunning images and engaging narration. It is always such a pleasure to 'walk along' vicariously with you as you explore new places. Thanks again for your generosity in sharing!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Carole Mora that's incredibly kind of you Carole- thanks for walking along with me

[@bryan3550]

Another lovely walk, John! As mentioned elsewhere, I can recommend "Afloat" by Danie Couchman, who spent much time on a narrowboat in the vicinity of Roydon. Now I fully understand why! 😘

[@howdymartin6258]

Another great walk John -- and your key word "confluence" got a good airing - thanks, a joy!

[@leehutchinson7005]

The music on yourvideos is always so tranquil and evocative would love a 'soundtrack' cd

[@merxeddie6474]

Thank you so much,this lovely walk is so familiar an escape from Inner London by train.Now I cannot get out this posting was a blessing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hi Geoffrey- it was such a beautiful walk glad I could share it with you

[@risingphoenix1187]

I must say, what a lovely day for a walk and a truly pleasant one. You have inspired me to take up a new hobbies "River Walks" As soon as the weather gets better I am going to plan my first trip. Thank you for such a pleasant viewing and I hope you continue to do more. God bless you. 🙂

[@johnleach7358]

I've come back to this film twice .. hope I can get to the Stort the section from Rye house heading east .. from another world really

[@JohnRogersWalks]

you'll love it John - and I reckon you'll cross some great countryside coming in from Rye House

[@milliemoo8207]

Absolutely glorious walk. I live in Sawbridgeworth, just about where you left the towpath and ventured up into the church yard. Thank you so much enjoyed every step of the way.

[@suespiller1927]

Lovely walk,thanks, I've done the parndon mill to roydon bit many times,but haven't been further,you have inspired me. One note, there are times when the music was louder than your voice, I'd like to hear what you are saying more than the music.

[@aviewfromtheinterior]

Pretty much every time I watch one of your videos John, I feel the need to return to the land of my ancestors (Leytonstone) and abandon rainy Manchester forever!

[@bighorse10048]

Great Walk.

[@james9958]

What a superb video! Very informative, great photography and background music. I have cycled the route of the Stort Navigation before and always enjoy it immensely. Tednambury Lock 4 is my favourite part of the route, glad it was captured in the sunset. Keep up the good videos John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks James, very kind of you. This was such a great walk, and even a year on it just keeps coming back to me. I think I may find a different route out to Sawbridgeworth so I can experience this landscape from a different angle

[@rosiefay7283]

Now here's a bit of trivia. There's only one county in Britain that no river flows into. Northants. When I heard about that, many years ago, I wondered about Essex, but no: after the Essex/Herts boundary follows the Stort for a while, they part company NW of Harlow, and the Stort flows into Essex. 13:58 14:50 must be roughly where they join company once again. Parndon Mill and 17:23 The Moorhen are in the small area on the Stort's right bank that's in Essex.

[@davidmurphy1527]

Me and my wife both enjoyed this one, lovely views nice looking Pubs. Yesterday we walked the New river walk from Hertford to the M25 as we walk we wonder what those 3 big chimney were, thank you for tell us they were a power station. Unlike the walk you did which was really interesting the New river is not so interesting so far.

[@davidskerritt9530]

Thanks. I grew up walking the towpath from Stortford to Sawbridgeworth

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's so beautiful out there David - I think about this walk all the time

[@jburgess8318]

Hi Mr Rogers, I sat by the Stort in Harlow on Friday and watched baby spiders taking flight across a water meadow in their thousands, gossamer threads everywhere :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

what a beautiful vision Sir Stanley - that walk I did along the Stort is always with me, have another in mind for that region that I hope to do this month

[@davidfox5878]

I think the decapitated fish you found was a Perch and may be evidence of the otters you referred to early in the walk . . .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks David - I'd love to see an otter in the wild one day

[@lemenelli5100]

A very enjoyable walk with you john :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Lemenelli thanks Lemenelli

[@cdssheps]

Thank you John my wife and I live in Devon now but I was born and breed in Essex due to ill health unable to do such walks now ,but we wished we had when living round there for 55yrs miss it all very much ,do visit my mum still tho so will be back for a visit soon : )

[@normathomas8276]

lovely walk as always john so enjoy your films I have mobility problems so can no longer walk so miss it hugely hope your feeling better now xx

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Norma - sorry to hear about your mobility problems. Still feeling groggy but funnily feel better when I walk, did 12 miles at the weekend through the villages in Bucks where I grew up, no video though - a spontaneous hike

[@normathomas8276]

John Rogers I can understand why you say you feel better when you walk I used to walk every were your films mean such a lot to so many people myself included

[@colinmorand129]

I lived in Buckinghamshire and enjoyed the walks and bike rides along the grand union canal, i enjoyed this video and subscribed to your channel 👍

[@mercifulradio5441]

Someone seems to have added the G in. Vegans would drink oat milk but not the milk from a goat. It's called Oatly. You can buy it everywhere. These videos are my therapy. Cheers

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Merciful Radio ah thanks, that makes more sense - going to try some of that oat milk now. So glad you enjoy the videos

[@mercifulradio5441]

Make sure to shake it up before drinking.

[@andrewbanham8433]

I spotted my first and only Otter on the river Roding near Shonks Mill Road. Much larger than a mink with huge whiskers and sharp claws walking along the bank. I was still however the Otter spotted me and dived into the river.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

What a brilliant experience Andrew - I'd love to see an Otter in the wild one day. I also must get to the upper stretches of the Roding at some point

[@andrewbanham8433]

Hi John The 2019-20 Essex Wildlife Trust Otter survey may have been cancelled for obvious reasons however they are also in the river Wid and Chelmer which you walked recently. Unfortunately Otters need a good habitat, clean water and food and this includes everything in the water, on the water and the bank. Anglers ( I am one of them ) think Otters only eat fish, they dont. If one of the three conditions are not met scientists state the Otter,s reproductive organs fai first , so a healthy Otter means a healthy river.

[@JTTW1455]

Beautiful walk. I really appreciated the soundtrack (now I’m wondering about your editing process) Thanks John.

[@JonnyShire]

I love finishing off the weekend with one of your weekly videos John. Even with no connection to the areas you walk in I feel like this is incredibly immersive! Thanks! Also, I figure your knee must be much better now - which is good news! If you ever make it to Manchester you're welcome to join me on a walk. There's plenty to see!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Jonny that's really great to hear. Yes the knee behaves itself much better these days without the need to resort to cans of Stella to get it moving again. I'd love to return to Manchester at some point, always enjoyed previous visits

[@john80c]

Great walk and you had good weather. Love riverside walks. I live near the Potomac and there are some good walks there.

[@merxeddie6474]

Thanks for taking me on a familiar walk I thought I would never see again,may I suggest the Chesunt lake area walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for the tip Eddie, I've certainly walked around there but not sure I shot a video, always a treat anyway

[@alex-E7WHU]

@28:14.. Was that boat called the Helena Hamilton, wey navigation?

[@horridh]

John when you were in Sawbridgeworth did you have a pint in the King William pub . It was my local before i moved to Hertford

[@cocogecko2349]

Hello John, beautiful video. I live in Hackney and just adore Walthamstow marshes and the river lea. I only pushed up to ponders end and back but for sure I wanted to go further to Broxbourne and this walk is absolutely beautiful so yes, be on my way. Great choice for the music too. Thank you:)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Flo Vk thanks Flo - it's glorious all the way along the Lea Valley and up the Stort

[@patthewoodboy]

those concrete block are the covers for sewer system of Harlow , they all merge near the stort at the pipeline thats takes the sewage to Rye Mead sewage works ,for the obvious reason .. its down hill 😃

[@smilevideobritain499]

Really enjoyed your walk . Thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for watching

[@johnentwhistlesurelysamsun1840]

That fast train passing over thr railway bridge may have been the stanstead express from Liverpool street, thing where pretty well normal then of course pre-covid !

[@robnewman6101]

Broxbourne Station opened on the 15 September 1840. Regin of Queen Victoria 1837-1901.

[@Fishandchips9028]

I've dived the canal and its full of old broken pottery, despite looking murky the bed is clear

[@timgallivan1614]

Really nice Video. Beautiful .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Simon

[@redfordgrange3507]

That was fun!

[@Darren14]

The River Stort at Bishop's Stortford is my neck of the woods

[@GreyGhost.]

I'm sure you've read Deakin's Waterlog and Walnut Tree Farm John ..... did you meet him ?. Thanks for the epic uploads. Cheers from Cornwall.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Paul - do you know I’ve only read Waterlog, which I loved, and a bit of Wildwood so need to take a look at Walnut Tree Farm. No I never had the good fortune to meet him

[@GreyGhost.]

@@JohnRogersWalks Thanks for the reply John .,.... you channel is superb, very relaxing and informative. Deakin was an icon in many ways. In future do yourself some healthy pack up, stay away from the packaged rubbish :). Best regards from Newquay.

[@rubbberrobbie]

A real joy 👍🏼

[@robnewman6101]

CUSTODIAN HELMET. The custodian helmet is the headgear traditionally worn by male police constables and sergeants while on foot patrol in England and Wales. Officers of all ranks in most forces are also issued a flat, peaked cap that is worn on mobile patrol in a vehicle. Ranks above sergeant wear the peaked cap only. However, some Inspectors wear the Custodian Helmet, but with two silver bands around the base (to match the two pips worn as rank insignia) to denote their position. Claimed by some sources to have been based on the spiked pickelhaube worn by the Prussian Army, it was first adopted by the London Metropolitan Police in 1863 to replace the "stovepipe" top hat worn since 1829. In 1863, the Metropolitan Police replaced the previous uniform of white trousers, swallow-tailed coat and top hat in favour of very dark blue trousers, a more modern button up tunic and the early type of helmet which had an upturned brim at the front and a raised spine at the back, running from the bottom to the top of the helmet, which became known as the "cockscomb".

[@robnewman6101]

Perfect Day. Song by Miriam Stockley.

[@novifilms]

Lovely stuff John, really enjoyed that.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Novi

[@ingyellow914]

Nice Country, Greetings to Addar and Shadow

[@thewalkingman777]

If anyone fancies doing this walk but making it a bit shorter, you're better off getting off the train at Rye House station and walking south along the Lea about half a mile to get on to the Stort

[@robnewman6101]

The Wind in the Willows. Published in 1908 by Kenneth Grahame. King Edward the VII.

[@rebeccadonaldson1464]

The Parndon Mill is not disused. It was bought by a woman in the 70's and now houses about 22 businesses and the Gallery. Two of the businesses are Designers, and the Squeezy Marmite Bottle was designed here. Under the mill is a horizontal (vertical axis) waterwheel which is the most powerful deseign, only surpassed by the Pelton wheel. That the water is owned by a foreign country, thanks to Thatcher, is the only reason that this wheel is not hitched up to the national grid with a generator above it. The other water wheel you passed at Broxbourne, has been fully restored but is not productive for the same reason.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for the info Rebecca

[@dianekivi5349]

A Nazeing grace!

[@dianekivi5349]

Is a windy part of the river Stout a distortion?

[@robnewman6101]

Bishop's Stortford Police Station was officially opened on Friday 20 September 1940.

[@robnewman6101]

WW2 1939-1945.

[@robnewman6101]

Law Enforcement Police Bobbies during the War at the time.

[@snotwurfit]

I don't think the dark, sinister music at the start of the video set a good tone. But I do enjoy nearly all of your videos very much. Would be great if you did a Marlow - Cookham stroll!

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Splendid walk - yet again!

[@peterbuckley265]

JOHN, YOU SHOULD JOIN PRUNELLA SCALES AND TOMOTHY WEST WHO LOVE RIDING CANALS AND YOU LOVE WALKING ALONG THE SIDE OF THEM AND TOGETHER YOU COULD PRODUCE AN INTRESTING TV SERIES, RIDING AND WALKING THE BEUTIFULL INTERESTING HISTORIC UK CANALS JOHN, PETER.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA PETER

[@puccini4530]

Thirty of my minutes well spent. Thank you. If I may, I'd like to comment. You speak quite softly, often without expressing the letter 't' when it occurs. For example, 'better ' might become 'be-ah'. I imply no criticism: although I regret spoken English becoming less intelligible by degrees, it's part of the evolution of language as the suburban London sound spreads. That slight lack of spoken clarity would be fine if the background music were at a lower volume. The music is well chosen, but intrusive. All very enjoyable, and a clue to how we might all improve our living experience.

[@meestermeesterhastings.3159]

Harlow is the biggest dump I have ever lived it must be the worst building mistake in world history.

[@TracyPicabia]

@5:12 [citation needed] : )

[@chrisnaylor1543]

9

[@peterbuckley265]

WHAT IS CALLED THE RATTY ??, IT IS SOMETHING IN LAKELAND , SO WHAT IS IT, I WILL TELL YOU LATER AFTER YOU TRY TO FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF JOHN, PETER,

[@JohnRogersWalks]

AH - DO TELL PETER?

[@peterbuckley265]

THE RATTY IS THE NICKNAME FOR THE NARROW GUAGE RAVENGLASS AND ESKDALE LINE, THE UK.S FIRST PUBLIC NARROW GUAGE RALWAY LINE, OPENED ON 3 FOOT GUAGE TO CARRY HEMATITE ORE FROM ESKDALE DOWN TO RAVEGLASS ON THE CUMBRIAN COAST, WITH PASSENGERS CARRIED FROM 1876, BUT CLOSED DUE TO THE LACK OF MONEY IN 1913. BUT IT RE0PENED ON THE 15 INCH GUAGE AS A TOURIST PASSENGER RAILWAY ON 18 AUG 1915 AND IS STILL GOING STRONG !!!.

[@patthewoodboy]

18:30 , thats zig zag bridge

[@dianekivi5349]

A no definitive path, because its closed for 1 day a year, does not become a public right of way. My local churchyard used this method to allow access, but the church retains the right to ban individuals who cause problems.

[@robnewman6101]

Rural Police.