Great video. I live locally and passed you going down Fen Lane. I told my husband and he drove down there to see if you needed a lift. You must have been in the field at the time as he couldn’t see you. He didn’t believe me and is now eating a large portion of humble pie!

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Fantastic Melanie - massive thanks to your husband for coming to see if I needed a lift.

Great walk, John. Long term viewers could all see the approaching signs of a dodgy road walk in the gloom within the first five minutes! Glad you made it home safely. All the best.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark - I’ve missed walk endings like this

Those crossings over the M25 and the 370 bus stops represent liminal space. You are neither in London nor out of London but approaching a place where you know that you will no longer be in London but you are not fully sure where you crossed the threshold.

Hi John. You missed a treat at North Ockendon church. There is a spring by the church which feeds the lake or moat as you called it. This is known as St Cedds well. You did catch it in one of your shots. It is where St Cedd baptised some of the first Christian’s in Essex. St Cedd sailed from lindisfarne down to Bradwell where there was an abandoned Roman port. He then worked his way across Essex evangelising as he went. By the way the radio tower you mentioned is in fact a lighting tower for the district tube line. There is a maintenance depot and sidings for the district line and these towers light the area up at night. Enjoyed the video.

Oh how you do capture life in a walk. All the melancholy. The joy. The taking of a step after a step. And then you play your father and a harmonica. A walk is not only navigated on a map, it's sown in the heart...

A great walk John. I love hearing your father sing.

They measured the speed of sound from the spires of both churches, of course being the highest places at that time and to avoid the sound ricocheting from objects, they used both churches as to get the same result in two different locations but with the same parameters

This was a mad one John 😂 very touching hearing your dad play and sing. You continue to make the ordinary , extraordinary

You always have lovely soundtracks but this video with your father providing the music is the new high point. And thank you for taking an Uber because I was yelling at the screen “you can’t walk that in the dark!” Stellar walk all round

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Linda Sue - Dad came up with that tune yesterday afternoon for the video

@guitarbrad

4 ай бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks Really? I would've thought it was an old folk tune. Brilliant and lovely. Goes so nicely with the scene.

A lovely walk. I loved the moat & blossom tree with the old church behind, a beautiful scene.

Brilliant video thank you! As a lifelong resident of Romford I always love seeing you venture out East. We had friends in Bulphan and the locals there always pronounced it “bull-vun”

I had a friend who lived at South Ockendon before the M25 was built actually in 1968! My dad got better off and we moved to South Benfleet and I worked at Tilbury power station in the offices for a while. Our family came from Barking / Dagenham. It's nice to see you walking through some places I remember. Thanks.

Thank you for taking us on all your journeys. More than just an adventure. We experience the spirit of everywhere you explore 🫠💋

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Margaret - love sharing these walks

The musical interlude was legend! Loved it.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

thanks Harvey - I'll make sure to tell Dad

Your comment about the buses outside London struck a chord with me. Whenever I saw a totally green bus I felt Id reached the countryside, you know, still a hop on hop off RM bus but green instead of red. Id really gone somewhere out of town. Yes surely West, South and North has got to be done now.

John, you’re in my end of town now. Grew up in Rainham but North Ockendon and Corbets Tey, were my playground. Fishing the bomb holes, scrumping apples and veg. All on our bikes avoiding the sand trucks (Lorries my Canadian is coming out) and mad drivers in those tight lanes. Gone by 9am and home by 5 for dinner. Lol! Thanks John (A Canadian fan)

@alanbeck5147

3 ай бұрын

I used to fish in a group of pits opposite the village. Went there in the 70s to find they had been filled in. Also tunnel Cement in South Aveley. Been trying to get some old pics for years. Don't reckon I'll ever see Essex again. Been in Thailand for 17 years.

You'll have to do Western, Southern, and Northern now 😊

That was a real treat. "The Eastern most parrrt of London, dooby dooby doo" sounds like a job for Jools' sister.

Fantastic John, as always, loved Dads harmonica, thank you.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Tom

Thank you for a lovely walk which was down memory lane, I lived on the green in South Ockendon many years ago and my drive home took me over the M25 at North Ockendon every day. The Church of St Mary Magdalane has a wonderful tomb and various memorials to the Poyntz family who were lords of the manor dating back to 1350.

Another wonderful walk, John! Great to see Upminster and Cranham where I lived when I was young. The Clockhouse Gardens were and I suppose still are, lovely. The Clockhouse itself used to be Upminster library. One of my best friends at junior school - Oglethorpe School, as it was called then - lived in Bulphan (pronounced sort of Bull-fern). And the 370 bus used to be a Green Line! I was wondering how you were going to get back in the dark! No Uber in my day!!!

And thankyou dad for the background music :)

Rustic walk,with rustic music. Really enjoy your walks. Thank you.

As u enter the A12 at Brentwood it says welcome to Essex

If you are ever in the area again, The (non-thatched) Thatched House does a lovely Sunday Roast, John. Thanks for another fascinating video, I find them so calming to watch.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Tom - planning to walk the Mar Dyke soon

"WALKING INTO DARKNESS" - The life's quest of John Rogers as he evokes the spirits of the land to rise up and manifest themselves. A new book, soon to be published.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Yes!!!

@sianwarwick633

4 ай бұрын

I feel as if for you, the M25 is a living beast that must appeased or conquered on your walk.

Thanks John . Lovely walk we had with you and thanks to your dad! Great contribution to the cause.

One committed walker. Thanks John

Fantastic walk. Isn't it interesting how a place that, on a map, looks to be just a short hop from town can become so remote and alien once the light has gone. As an aside, I was just watching a History Hit channel video about Roman London with a lot of focus on the excavations near to the Walbrook. You might find it interesting.

What no giant sized mapping pin stating here it is! Another good video. Persuaded relatives who lived in UK and now down under to watch your videos to show them what they are missing

It's funny seeing where I grew up reviewed through the eyes of a stranger to the area.

I was bought up and went to school in Upminster . I loved this walk ,thankyou .Coming back to The UK in September after many years away . Very inspired by your walks .

Yet another great walk and congratulation to your Dad.

The great "radio tower" is a lighting mast for the District Line depot in Cranham.

Its all in the London Borough of Havering.....so in Greater London....since the mid sixties I beleive. I grew up in Romford in the 70s and 80s and it was always Romford Essex. My dad was from Seven Kings and that was Essex too....I belive Essex used to extend right in to Poplar and have a border with Middlesex before the City of London came along.....I maybe wrong though!!

This is art.

Great to have your Dad’s musical accompaniment in a video John. Lovely moment.

@JohnRogersWalks

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Ben

Both pubs are my locals and throughly recommended. I think there is a bridge over the Mar Dyke in that field where you ended your walk. You can also walk under the M25 from Thames Chase and walk up to Nth Ockendon or Fen Lane. I did not know about the speed of sound from the church towers! You passed the end of our road by the Jobbers pub. We enjoy all your walks and the stories……..

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Many thanks Julian - I’m planning to come back and walk the Mar Dyke

Looking forward to your Shire walks, come spring 🌷🌳 Those are the best! 👌🏽

Wonderful walk - what a great idea! Capped off with historical context and the perfect harmonica accompaniment, who could ask for more? I really enjoyed this one! Thanks so much.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Jennifer

What a great adventure John. I will certainly consider following in your footsteps this year. I am reminded of Mark Power’s wonderful photo book, ,26 different Endings’ where he uses the edge of London pages of the old A to Z to structure a photo project. Great stuff. Absolutely love the song❤.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

That sounds great Mark. I think the Mar Dyke walk might be a better route. I’m going to walk that soon

Dear and respected Sir,your song was amazing and awesome ❤music very good of harmonica ,over the hills and far away song is similar to it but this reminds me folk tales of old London,upminster is so good and very beautiful..thanks sir,you Crack the walk 😊❤

I like your stories

I am in awe of your wonderful, successful commitment to the lure of a quirky destination! So many would say “no” to this adventure. By the way, your Google Maps prioritizes Restaurants, Groceries, Pubs & Petrol for search categories. What does mine prioritize! Restaurants, Coffee, Gas Groceries! There it is! 😉

Absolutely lovely to have your dad soundtracking this video! When we visited last July we stayed a few days in South Ockendon, so this walk looked quite familiar to our strolls near the M25 nearby

This is so much fun ! It's always trippy when you walk out of day and into night.

I am still waiting to see your walk to the village of Barking Mad and its famous pub of the same name - the Barking Mad House.

John, as ever, an absorbing, intriguing and exceptionally well-crafted presentation. It is a pleasure and a delight to walk with you. Keep up the good work!

Epic exploring!! Chaldon may be the (or near to) the southernmost point of Greater London, which would mean walking along Happy Valley which I think you may have featured on a London Loop video.

@debb4809

4 ай бұрын

Chaldon church is worth a look. Went to school in that area 😊

oh John. you just make me to go again in this area for 3rd time. I have been walking this part of London for last few months. I have been twice in Thames Chase centre. Once with walking mate and next day took the family. If I knew easternmost point of London there then definitely tried to step on. There should be a mark. I pay respect to Mr. Alan Rogers for his beautiful melody. Take care. Thank you very much.

I came across this by accident, sitting at home in far south east Victoria, Australia. I’m a Hertfordshire boy and just really enjoyed this ‘outer London’ journey. Thanks so much for posting!

Thank you! Always interesting especially seeing it not on train.

Fantastic John. You’re in my neck of the woods. I can’t wait to watch this tonight after work. I absolutely love all of your videos Update. Just watched. Totally worth the wait. Brilliant. Thanks again .

Another great walk, thanks for taking us along with you again... See you on the next video wherever that may be... ATB Chris.

Hey John, greetings from the USA (Philadelphia Pa)! I’m so delighted by your walking through London and river walk videos! It’s like mini vacations (holidays) with a good travel partner.. I grew up near a large river and creeks. Kudos and Cheers.✌️

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Rob - I must visit your corner of the world one day with all its history

In 1709 Derham published a more accurate measure of the speed of sound, at 1,072 Parisian feet per second.[6] Derham used a telescope from the tower of the church of St Laurence, Upminster, to observe the flash of a distant shotgun being fired, and then measured the time until he heard the gunshot with a half second pendulum. Measurements were made of gunshots from local landmarks including the Church of St Mary Magdalene, North Ockendon.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Brilliant thanks

I loved going out east when i lived in london (I'll be back! It's just a matter of time). Tollesbury was a favourite as was the Dengie peninsula. It felt so wonderfully remote, yet I could be back home in middle suburban London in no time

Loved hearing your Dad's song paired with the footage of this walk. Any more recordings? :)

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Yes I hope so Jack

I would love to go to the Thatched cottage in St Mary's Lane. I may have been to the pub yrs ago with my family that are from Romford area.Definitely worth a visit.

You missed what would have been the most easterly pub in London.It was called The Old White Horse and was just opposite the junction of Fen Lane.Sadly closed a couple of years ago.Lived in South Ockendon for over 50 years.

In Surrey we call it Green Belt - fields kept for nature and farming. But some areas have been built on now.

The Mardyke was also navigable. In the 19th century small vessels called "Dumpy Barges" were used on the River. Apparently they were used to deliver agricultural products down to the Thames returning with horse manure that was used as fertiliser. As for Emerson Park Station I try to visit it at least once a year. I was told that it is the least busy Overground station! Oh Dear "The Gated Wasteland" (complete with the gas tank and associated assorted detritus!) As my Human Geography tutor would Earnestly describe "The Rural Urban Fringe At its Finest"!

Thanks for another great video John. I was brought up in Ilford (you went past our old family home when you did your Loxford Water walk!). For me, I always felt like the edge of London was the eastern edge of Chadwell Heath, because that was the first place that there were open fields. It's a long way west of where you were though. I guess these things have a lot of different definitions; some official, some unofficial. I've learned to care a lot less about what's officially correct over the years. Things like that surely belong to the people who experience them, however they experience them...

Thanks John & Alan...that made my evening 👍

Great video John, and your dad's song is brilliant!

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Rob

Loved it 😊

I went to the easterly point on Friday. What a nice field LOL.

Nice to hear your dad :)

Great walk as always John, thank you.

John , have you ever been in The Royal Oak (pub) in Knapp Hill , it is located at the bottom of Knapp Hill , I was there in 1992 , first English Pub I was in and that pint went down very good , had to have another... Keep up the great work , you are definitely enjoying you're retirement , Go John Go and be careful of that Scoundrel 😅

Thanks...a great journey once again out East. it resonates with the week I just spent right over on the other side drifting into central London from Chesham Underground station!

Thanks again John in Chicago

Interesting video. Really enjoyed it. I am fascinated by walks to the extreme point of cities, or the UK itself. Great if you could do a walk to most northerly, southerly and westerly points some time.

Nice one John, know the area well - Kelvdon Hatch is worth a visit...

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Ralph

Interesting video 👍

Lovely walk. Made me a bit nervous there towards the end, with you in the dark. Knew you'd sort it, though! And your dad's song was brilliant!

I loved that walk. Thank you.

Great walk, as always. Loved your dad's singing, too😊 'London Orbital' was first Iain Sinclair book of his I read. I just purchased it again on my Kindle, so with your new book, I have treats ahead. I'm glad you got safely home. Always worry for you when it gets dark😮

Lovely

John, have you ever been to 'Crew's Hill' up near Enfield Chase and Gordon Hill, towards Hertford on the Northern City Line out of Moorgate? Quite possibly the oddest place I've ever been within the M25! Virtually a whole village....full of Garden Centres!

I saw Northampton mentioned on A Moores book you are reading. My home town

I still think of the M25 as "Maggie's Berlin wall" as the comedian Phil Cool described it back in the 80s

Great walk. Bit scary at the end!

Wonderful Barn, trees of old!

Great video thank you

Great to see this venture out East where I grew up in Upminster and was a choirboy in St Lawrence church. Many happy hours spent feeding bread to the ducks in Clockhouse gardens before we knew it was the wrong thing to do! We always pronounced Derham as Dearam, and there is a Derham Gdns in Upminster named after the Reverend scientist. Don't they measure distances from central London from Trafalgar Square? There's a plaque in the middle of the roadway there which I think makes the claim to be the point.

Thank you John for the adventure; it was sure tense once it got dark!

These grey winter afternoon walks fading into evening are my favourites too. Cracker John

Really very interesting topics. I hope the video gets a lot of attention. Thanks for the video!😘😘

Thanks John great video

Great interesting walk. Thanks mate.

Only 18 miles from centre of London, yet it looked very isolated, more so in the dark. Is there a more isolated spot on the GL boundary? Perhaps that could be a challenge?

Wonderful stuff John 👍

This is my neck of the woods. Yes you are right, the train line is now the Liberty line. TFL red buses also go as far as Brentwood High Street.

Very lovely harmonica and vocals. There's always this mysterious mood, the conjoining of the metropolis, as of say the mid 20th century and how thevurbsn filters into the countryside......as the remnants of either scape try to marry......whete is humanity, is it industrial is it yrees, flowers, hills or a weird mixture?

Cheers John 👍

Ive got a slight naughty suspicion that a you tube film that popped up in my feed a week ago,well it might have popped up in your feed. It showed this very place. That was so interesting. I would start out much earlier. I'd be too scared of being lost in the dark. About west London it's not got that cool vibe reputation of East London now and it's more scrappy and scruffy and 1930s/50s suburban. But im increasingly drawn to exploring it if or when I can. I'm aware that a lot of what is now suburban west London was one rich families parkland some of which survives like Chiswick Park,Osterley Park and a lot of others.Some west London walks would be interesting I think. Previous to this summer I always wondered what was between Slough and London. If you come to London on coach or train it feels like Slough is a place and London is a place but nothing is in between or rather fields but that's all. Well,this summer I solved the mystery. I found the 81 bus from Hounslow west to Slough and the place in between is the Colnbrook valley. Who knew that? Well,I do now.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Good job I didn't see that video Jane because I wouldn't have gone out there if I had and embarked on such a great adventure. There's a few videos on the channel here that cover the territory to the West of London from Uxbridge and Ruislip out to Slough, Beaconsfield, Denham, High Wycombe. Fascinating terrain.

That was quite an adventure and I enjoyed you and your dad's company. I'm encouraged to see the blossom and daffodils bringing some colour back to the countryside, which springs out (sorry) a little bit earlier than here in the East of Scotland.

Love going for a walk with you. Thanks for another interesting adventure.

Love all your walks, John and this was up there with the best. Thank you!