Keep on walking

Advice on the BBC web page confirms that it is still okay to go outdoors for exercise as long as you follow advice to stay 2m apart from others. This advice may change in the future.

Gill and I took advantage of the sunshine today to walk along the Roding Valley Way (picked up at Manor Park). Despite the road traffic noise it is always nice to walk by water. We saw very few people and it was easy to avoid other walkers. We made a point of saying hello to everyone!

Walking along Wanstead flats, we came across these very sensible 3 residents going for a walk with suitable gaps between them (see above).

However, I did see some footballers doing fitness training together, which didn't appear to be very wise in the circumstances.

There are a number of walks, green spaces and parks in Newham and nearby. For many years we have been going for walks in and around the outskirts of London and often we have hardly seen anyone else.

It is really important for physical and mental health that everyone gets out and exercise.

If parks are too popular then they will be closed but in the meanwhile check out :-

https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Parks-and-open-spaces.aspx (some venues and all organised activities are likely to have been suspended)

https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Other-parks-and-green-spaces.aspx

http://www.essexwalks.com/

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/sports-events-and-activities/Pages/walking-and-running.aspx

Check out more photos of todays walk on Facebook here

Roding Valley Walk (Newham to Barking)

I can't believe that it was 8 years ago that Gill and I went for a 3 hour walk along the River Roding way (North) from Wanstead to Roding Valley underground station.

For whatever last minute whim reason, we decided today to go from Newham along the Roding River (South) towards Barking. There is a vague (and largely inaccurate) map online here

We walked through Wanstead Flats and alongside the City of London cemetery (and overhead train track to Ilford) to join the Roding War path in Little Ilford. There are signs pointing out the path but they are somewhat "sporadic".  Cross over Romford Road and make your way along Walton Road (including Susan Lawrence House named after one the first female MPs). You lose the signs at Little Ilford Park but go straight across and you will pick up the trail again.

Just before Barking we lost the signs again but made our way to  Barking town centre and had a late liquid brunch at the Barking Dog ,Wetherspoons. We walked 4.19 miles in 2 hours 19 minutes (including stops and breaks). Will finish off Barking to River Thames walk another time soon.

I raised on route a number of reports of fly tipping/litter on "Love Newham" app and will raise member enquiries on footpath signage, right of way blockage, fly tipping, litter and other issues I came across. It will be good to go "walkabout" with local Councillors, Council Officers and residents along this route in the near future. 

Roding Valley Way

Only slightly off message. During the Christmas holidays I went for a walk along the “Roding Valley Way” in East London. There has been talk of a planned footpath alongside the river Roding for years. I came across some footpath signs during the summer and assumed that the path must have been built. I was a little concerned that I couldn’t find a proper map or route on “Google” but since the walk is mostly in Tory run Redbridge Council I didn’t really expect anything less. So a few weeks ago I decided to give it a try.

I joined the “route” via Wanstead Park walking first across the flats from Forest Gate, into the park, past “The Temple” then down to the river and the metal bridge going across towards Ilford. I followed the way markers going East along the south bank of the river. The way marks soon disappeared and I had to walk through a hole in a fence near the Redbridge roundabout. Go across the roundabout to rejoin the river on the other side. Walk past some pretty vibrant concrete “Graffiti Art” then follow the river also alongside the raised and very noisy A406 dual carriageway. Keep on following Roding Valley way marks. These then appeared to peter out and there are Roding Valley Parks signs but just keep on following the right hand side of the river. Tricky bit at Chigwell Road “Refuse and Recycling centre” but there is an alleyway you can follow to the left of the entrance to the centre (no signs) and you come back to the river. Then the Roding Valley way marks suddenly reappear. Follow them then cross another footbridge over the river and keep following signs to Roding Valley Underground station (the least used station in London!) to take the train back home. Or you could keep going east along the river. The walk in total only took about 3 hours.

This is not a picture postcard “pretty” or “peaceful” traditional country walk but if you live in London you could easily go to the Chilterns or the North Downs any weekend. This urban river walk is different and very beautiful in its own way. It is always rewarding for some reason to walk along flowing water, there are also loads of different birds, plants and trees about to stop, stand and stare. You are certainly aware of our industrial heritage from Victorian water treatment plants to huge gas storage tanks.

If you do this walk you will never be able to drive along that part of the A406 or the M11 again without thinking about what lies below.