I live right by Enfield Lock John, would have been great to have bumped into you. In 1980 i was 14 and was fishing right opposite what is now Enfield Power Station. Back then there were 2 enormous concrete cooling towers, and the day i was fishing there was the day they were to be demolished with dynamite! A man shouted across the canal to hold my ears and to protect myself from the dust. Nowadays i would have been moved away from the area. The alarm sounded and then bang, down they came. The sound was incredible. Even more incredible was the soot! The whole area covered with black dust. Oh, and next to the little white footbridge at 21.54 is a pool called the Swan and Pike pool. People think it's because it has pike and swans in it but it's so named after the pub that sat next to the pond and which served the Royal Small Arms factory workforce. And right opposite the lock itself at 21.58 was the brewery. Sorry to rattle on!

@mozdickson

3 жыл бұрын

Great comments, keep em coming. I had a flash of Fred Dibnah in there too!

@properkhunt710

3 жыл бұрын

Myself and my brother stood at the top of the big slide in Durants Park in Ponders End the day they blew up the cooling towers. One was only partially destructed. So much industrial history in East Enfield, all gone now. Dirty and polluting, gave a very dystopian feel walking the Lea from Ponders End to Enfield Lock. Used to swim in the relief channel that runs around the East side of King George reservoir.

Alfie was the legendary lock keeper at picketts lock since the 80's, he's retired now. They renamed the lock from pickett's lock to Alfie's lock temporarily in recognition to his contribution to the Lee as lock master. He is a larger than life character and would always engage with all that crossed his path in a friendly fashion. I use to fish the lock for many hours on my way to and from work and he would always recall his pike fishing antics at the lock with me whenever he saw me fishing. Wish him the best.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks so much for that info Ustaadth

I admire your attitude and fortitude. Many people that live in suburbia would just complain about being forced to live in a concrete jungle. They miss all of the beauty and history that you find in inner London, and don't think to take the time and exercise to do these fantastic walks that you seem to find. This one was very impressive. Thanks.

30 miles epic walk complete with dodgy back & wobbly knee nothing stops this man 👍😎😉

Life , The Universe and Everything gets my vote

I'm so envious of you having so much history all around you! I'm in NZ and while there is an abundance of natural beauty, we don't have ancient ruins or riverbanks that people have been walking beside for thousands of years (the rivers have always been here, but not the people!). Thanks so much for sharing the wonders of your beautiful country with us 💚

@lizwilliams14

3 жыл бұрын

I feel exactly the same. I grew up in the UK south of London. I now live on the Canadian prairies. I miss those lovely quiet walks and the history of everything.

@mozdickson

3 жыл бұрын

Fellow Kiwi here, Eastern Bay of Plenty. Much as I love our bush tracks and deserted coastal bays, how I long to get some British dirt on my walking boots once again! Kia ora.

@written12

3 жыл бұрын

adventuresinbelieving Ah, a deserted coastal bay sounds don’t divine.

@Vexarax

3 жыл бұрын

@@written12 Deserted coastal bays are definitely stunning (I grew up on the West Coast of the South Island, which is mostly deserted coastal bays and rainforests, as well as stunning cave networks!) but gosh.. sometimes I just crave being able to stumble across ruins built by people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago, which is something one just doesn't have here in NZ sadly.

@RenaissanceEarCandy

3 жыл бұрын

I envy you for having a prime minister who actually cares about you.

Brilliant walk - but you forgot to bring a towel! Love the stop at the pub - that should be how each hike ends. Cheers.

All your walks are fascinating but I do, of course, have a soft spot for anything on the towpath. Cheers for the mention 😀

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks so much David, I'm very fond of a towpath myself, it's about time I started exploring a few outside the London region

@RenaissanceEarCandy

3 жыл бұрын

You two should collab.

@susangustave8797

3 жыл бұрын

@@RenaissanceEarCandy ohh I would definitely watch that. Love walking, history and the Canal, these two together ❤️

Just driving up to Hertford used to knacker me out

W O W ! Not sure I could do 31.9 miles these days, even without a bad back!! We kept saying ‘he’s going to do a marathon...’ But 26 miles came and went and you kept going! Lovely video. We do find you videos and walk commentaries very calming. Thanks for sharing. Hope you slept well that night without too much pain.

Dear John that's a great day walking the Lea, my dad lived right next to it on Leabridge road, I was born nearby in Tottenham, I worked next door to Lea Enfield factory in the sixties, brings back many memories, thank you so much and I hope you get better soon, I have Sciatica so I can sympathise, I use heat patches which help relax the muscles, take care see you next one wherever that may be .....♥

John, I could listen to your voice for ages, love your little snips of info you chuck relative to your past. You have refueled my walking drive again and made me see that there's more to walking than climbing mountains.. thank you.

I was born in Nazeing (named for the tribe who sailed down what is now the Naze, and settled at the top of the village), and The Crown was my local for many years when Charrington sold a great pint of Bass there... The Fish and Eels was a great place for darts and pool, and the Rye House Tavern (as it was then) was a hub for new and aspiring local bands... great memories of that stretch of the Lee /Stort Navigation. As a Cub Scout we were sponsored from Spellbrook to Broxbourne alonmg the Stort - a long way for a boy of 10 - I never forgot the cows along the path, and the sense of feeling truly in the country. It really was all fields when I was a boy ! Thanks for the memories .... I seem to recall there were at least 17 pubs in Ware, when we ran pub crawls in the 80's. I bet there are half that now...

A magnificent long walk. The viewer is almost willing John on to complete it!

The building next to the Anchor & Hope pub was another pub called the Beehive, built in 1915 closed shortly after after the war.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks Michael

What a lovely walk to celebrate the end of a kind of drought, and with a draught along the way. The rivers and bodies of water are so glassy, the skies so blue, with gauzy white clouds, and all those greens all around, really wonderful. As always, thanks for sharing these walks :-)

I tip my hat off to you sir. I walked the 35 miles from Maidstone to Folkestone in seven stages with my longest mileage totalling a mere 14.9 miles on the day when I walked from Ashford to Chilham via Wye and Crundale.

That was wonderful, though I don't think you'll see this comment. I've walked through that rusty-dusty area of Edmonton but cut off east there and wanted to see what Ponders End lock and Enfield lock look like. You've convinced me to do that walk and far above, thank you again.

Brought back so many memories from going past my old school on Marsh Lane (was Church Mead School) to Hertford where I went to university. Many familiar places along the way. Thank you!

Well, now, wasn’t that nice! Thank you so much for the post! And Hello to Samuel Stone, I was born in Hartford, CT. It’s a small world! 👍🙋‍♀️🥂

Oh yes been waiting for this 👍🏻

Very nice. Who in the %$#!! would leave a thumbs down? This is better than anything on TV. Cheers from the West Coast.

Great. I will watch this after my midday nap. Sunday dinner wasn't the same with no JR walkies.

@julieblackstock8650

3 жыл бұрын

I came home from a guided local walk last night and wondered where the usual Sunday upload was!

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

@@julieblackstock8650 sorry about that Julie, technical issue with the original export and as it's such a long video took a long time to re-export

Bob & Brad's Physio videos on KZread have helped me with my back pain.

That's a heck of a long walk! Fair play!

Good lord, man! 30 miles! Hopefully, there was good tea and a hot bath waiting for you at home... Thank you for taking us on a wonderful adventure! Greetings from NYC.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

I walked straight into my local pub when I got home CRS and my wife came and joined me for a pint of Camden Ale aptly enough. Hope all is well in NYC - one of my favourite cities

@crstothard

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks Well, perhaps when you've got the UK sorted, you can begin an NYC walk series..... :D

"Cruising the Cut" is a favourite of mine, as well. If I had a narrowboat, "Life, the Universe and Everything" would have been in the running for a name. Not that I ever will own such a vessel, but I guess I would have to find an even more epic name if I did.

Well done John 30 miles is what IS a walk. Love the banks of the River Lea very tranquil and peaceful. Enfield looks interesting with its munitions works and famous football team. Look forward to your next walk wherever that may be. In a West Virginia context 30 miles is just short of halfway from Hedgesville to Washington DC

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks for that John - I like the sound of walking to Washington DC

@john80c

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks I'd rather walk away lol

I walked from Leyton underground station to the Lee River, then continued walking the canal path to Hertford today. A gorgeous day to walk this path. Thanks to your video!

My husband I really enjoy your channel. Watching from New Hampshire, USA. We also watch Cruising the Cut as well as The Narrowboat Experience. Great way to see England along the towpath.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks Marcia - I remember scoring a great goal against New Hampshire College football team when I was 15 and they were touring the UK. I had one of their t-shirts for many years until it was full of holes. Glad you enjoy exploring the UK canal network

Hi John, just a quick comment to let you know that I find your videos so interesting but more so for me, so relaxing also! Thanks again John

I believe the smallest public bar in Britain is in The Dove at Hammersmith - keep up the great work! I really enjoy your videos

Great to see you John Rogers. You done the longest walk you ever have. 😁

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

cheers Athos

@athoshadjiantoni6403

3 жыл бұрын

Think you very much.

I find it amazing how many narrowboats are moored up the Lea,Well done you have done well and once again reminds me of my failure to get out and explore, Exceent wander John.

As a kid growing up and living in Chingford Essex I’d ride my push bike up and down the river lee . I have fond memories of them days . I now live in Australia . Thank you for this beautiful video

I’m exhausted just watching John. An amazing walk I hope your back wasn’t too bad next day. Stunning 🙏🏻😔🧡

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks Tomgirl - the back was actually ok the next day, it was my knee that was playing up next day - all better now though

Perhaps your best vlog. Epic indeed. The absolute precise point where you stand in Francis Road E10 at the start, is where cricketer Freddie Truman would park his Aston Martin when he played at the cricket ground in the 60s. He would be mobbed.

I was sitting in my flat pissed off cos Chelsea lost Then I found your video Adjectives escape me but Wow will do I am 67 and suffer with nothing more than legs that ache when I walk to far but thankfully I do not suffer any pain that putting my feet up won't cure You have made my life a better place than it was before

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks for that Robert much appreciated

After watching this rather epic walk of yours, I fully expected a crowd of well wishers and an award ceremony at the end. Under any circumstances a monumental achievement in my book. I fully appreciate, admire, & enjoyed it in its entirety!

Not sure whether you are interested John but those pylons that run from Tottenham marshes all the way to Turnford are the Waltham cross, Brimsdown, Tottenham Circuits. The power comes in from the Waltham cross substation at 400kv and drops down to 275kv as passes through Brimsdown and Tottenham substation. It picks up the enfield energys powerstation output along its way. Im lucky enough to work for NG and the sites based along the river are always a nice place to be.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that info Mark, very interesting indeed

Superlatives fail me - what a fantastic walk and video. Nice to see the 'Fish and Eels' at Dobb's Weir, again - one-time favourite watering hole of Gazza (and myself, in a former life). Excellent work. Atb 👍

A really enjoyable walk John. I loved every moment. So glad your back held out for the distance. I had to laugh at the "real dedication to do a walking shot at this stage". I have a channel for my runs around the Essex countryside and know that after a good few miles, the desire to stop and film a bit of running evaporates. It is nice to be recognised and meet with viewers though. I did empathise with the "footpath closed" part, had this happen to me right at the end of my country run yesterday. Keep up the good work, I love your videos and hope you get out in the Essex countryside sometime soon.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks for that Essex Trails, glad you enjoyed that comment, had to have a couple of those shots in there whatever the pain. Can't wait to get back out into Essex

Its really funny when Aussie's hear people mention how hot the weather is at 23°. Here in Australia its not hot until it reaches 40° Love the content. Keep up the great work👍

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

I remember those Sydney summers well, William. Funnily enough my Aussie wife was complaining about the heat today and it was just 35

@williamkirby6729

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks Wow, I didn't know your wife was Australian, thats great. She is entitled to complain I suppose. 35 is starting to get hot.

Crackin video, really enjoyed watching it, some distance that you covered, well done John 🦸

Love your laid back commentary John and obvious your great love for the Lea Valley Navigation , continue what you do , which is thoroughly entertaining , hope your back gets better, The Hobbit gets my vote by the way 👍

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks for that Allen - I think the Hobbit seems to be winning so far

Wonderful video John, one of my faves from you!

Amazing Walk John, Cheers Mate.

I’m finding your videos so relaxing, much needed at a time like now! Thanks for teaching us all along your walks :)

You forgot to mention the famous Lea Rowing Club next to Springfield Park. World Champions and Olympians came from there.

Epic walk, thanks for making this, hope your back gets better soon.

Amazing......love your walks 🙌🏽

Super walk again, John.

Absolutely incredible effort John! Very well done! It was a real treat to follow you on such an epic trip. Thank you, as always, for such a lovely film. Hope the back stays better!

Incredible WALK for any human. I'm not yet capable of a walk like that I think so my son 16 and I set off about 2:45 from Wanstead by bike, cycling to chingford mount and over to the reservoirs and then along the lea and up through the lea valley country park (which is wetlands and amazing). Setting off so late we got as far as the lea fork at Broxbourne where there is a great tea and sandwich hut just on the Ware branch. Turned around after a snack and came back via the canal leaving at Tottenham Hale and back to Wanstead about 7 (dark) The Tottenham Hale route onto the canal from Wanstead is much less flat (still a bit hilly) than going via chingford and means a little less roads. Thanks again Mr Rogers!!

Epic walk John. Thanks for a great video.

I spotted a narrow boat on the Trent and Mersey in Rugeley that was called 'Butty Sark'! Well I thought it was funny ...

I was sorry to hear that you were in pain with your back. It's not nice, I know. Try lying on your back, on the floor for one night. It will be uncomfortable trying to get to sleep on the floor, but when you wake up in the morning, your back will feel relaxed and more subtle. Give it a go! Well done on your 30 mile walk, that's a great achievement with your bad back! Good luck to you. 🙂👍

Hello John What a great video thanks very much.

Superb video as per usual John. Your videos are soo relaxing to watch!

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

thanks Gary

This was a Fab walk John .So much to see. I'm inspired to do more walking.

What an incredible walk this video was. Fantastic..... thank you for posting, thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope your back is better. Have a good week!

Epic John, epic. So calming and tranquil. Hertford looked beautiful, I must visit one day. Glad your back survived!

Hope your back is feeling better John? What an incredible walk, the walk out of lockdown. Thank you again John 👍🏼

Wow what a walk! I really enjoyed that - such beautiful scenery and activity along the river.

John, A delightful journey. You kept it interesting from the first to the last step. You are a real inspiration. Many thanks, Carl.

Goodness that was epic !!! You’re really inspiring in just keeping going. The scenery was very lovely as well ❤

We were with you all the way! I did this walk in several stages years ago and it's been great to redo it with you, thank you

Brilliant Effort! Many thanks!👍

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

my pleasure Colin it was a great walk

😊❤ I did this ride as a kid many times wow the positive memorys you have brought back thank you John.

I'm currently watching this walk again for about the 8th time since you've uploaded it and I have to say it will never get boring because The River Lea is an amazing walk path and I've only done five miles of it but in the future I hope to do more,I think this may be my favourite video John although you've have done several great videos but I think this one is my favourite.

What a magnificent walk. I have to leave a comment and thank you, so much for this voyage. What a delight... and there's even suspense until the very end... Splendid editing with very nice use of the bits and pieces of music. Cheers (from Montréal, Québec, Canada).

Another superlative presentation John. I've had my share of back issues so I feel your pain. Cruising the Cut happens to be one of my favorite youtube channels as well. Keep walking.

A fantastic walk John, the kind of film that should be made by the mainstream media but no longer is . Stay well.

Brilliant walk. Thoroughly enjoyed it like a pub crawl along the Lea SMILES 👍🇬🇧👌

Fantastic! Your exploring the area I plan to hopefully canoe soon 😉 thanks so much for the videos and chatting to us ☺️

Enjoying the video, and watching previous ones too. Very chilled and relaxing.

@garym0630

3 жыл бұрын

One of my favourites is "Never Mind The Bow Locks"

@streetrambler134

3 жыл бұрын

@@garym0630 lol, enjoyed the Van Gogh with Ian Sinclair.

Congratulations on your fine walk.

Wonderful walk again, they are so enjoyable to watch. Can’t believe you managed so far with a dodgy back, hope you’re not still suffering. Thank you for all your content on your channel.

I adored this video - I have only just found it. So relaxing, very gently presented with a lot of good historical information. Thank you for posting it, it is wonderful.

Beautiful and very interesting walk many thanks 🤝

Looks like a fantastic day out on the Lea, John! I will never tire of your traversing it. Hertford has to be the most delightful looking English town I’ve ever seen. I knew there had to be a Hartford CT connection.

Great video john

I enjoyed this video immensely, firstly congratulations on such a lengthy walk, well done. The river Lea is so close to my heart. I grew up in Enfield lock, my mothers sister lived in the lock house itself, her husband worked for British Waterways so they were able to rent it, her in-laws lived in lock cottage next door. My grandparents lived in the cottages in government row my grandfather was a military policeman and manned the gate to the royal small arms. I now live in Ware and spend much of my spare time walking the river. Thank you x

Great memories from my childhood. Now live in Australia the river was a great part of my life especially Kingsmead to Dobbs (where the pike were). Thanks John Happy new year.

Hi John Rogers, this is in my opinion your most epic walk. I'm just watching it again now and really love it. I live in Leytonstone and often walk the lea. Thankyou for this brilliant journey and all of your videos.

Cheers John just having a beer watching this chill video of yours sure I've seen it before but it still does it for me keep up the good work

@JohnRogersWalks

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Georgina

Again, a real pleasure to watch - a beautiful and truly epic walk. Agree, Ware and Hertford are highlights of the Lea. Loads of delightful walks all around there. Hope this didn’t leave you in more pain!

John another great walk!!! sorry to hear about you back, I have had a bad back for years and its no fun. as I have said before i am from Leytonstone, you are making me very home sick LOL. your doing a good job my friend.

Brilliant video.

wow... Where I first lived in Leyton and where I first cruised on my narrowboat. You are so relaxed delivering information. A real joy to watch.

Thank you for this video John. Mammoth effort on this one. Keeping the motility in the back is the best thing for muscular skeletal pain.

Well done enjoyed every bit . Hertford on my list to visit

So lovely to relive my walks on the Lea and Stort.That was some distance,hope you were ok next day.Thanks for that,it’s a spirit raisers.

About 15yrs ago I lived in London and I walked everywhere my longest walk was lewisham to lewisham via Greenwhich , North London, Chelsea and Croydon, it took me 30 hrs and I grazed mostly on cheap £1 pizza slices, I also walked extensively around Leytonstone and Walthamstowe and regularly walked from the Lea river industrial estate home to Leytonstone also worked at TCR in Bloomsbury and occasionally walked the length of mile end rd through Stratford along Leytonstone high st

Excellent walk .30 miles of changing scenery .Great effort with your bad back 👍

Epic walk John ending in my home town

Wow. Such a cool video. I really needed that to help me unwind. Keep up the good work.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

many thanks

Wow . Hi John just watched your Leytonstone to Hertford walk. May I say firstly it was fantastic to watch and helped my husband so much to relax after a 7 week nightmare that he has just gone through. We were out in Southend on Saturday and very proud of the 14 mile walk we completed.........30 miles?? Put us both to shame😳😳

Love your walks man. Moved from stow to abbey in jan, saw your vids, got an OS map and have been exploring the footpaths of Epping forest and Herts. Thanks!

looking forward to this, I just cycled up the Lee to Hertford from the Greenway at Stratford

@MeTheRob

3 жыл бұрын

Lovely. That was a favourite bike ride for me, when I lived in London, starting from King's Cross.

@garym0630

3 жыл бұрын

Did exactly the same as you, but done it a few years back. Rode all the way back as well but came back a slightly different route as it was getting quite late.