Day 5 - Jubilee Line (Part two)

A really lovely walk today. The first positive is that my legs coped with (as yet...) no obvious problems, so it seems as though I'm getting on track in that respect.

The second, and indeed the greater positive, were the stunning views of London I benefitted from as I walked. For every estate in Stratford, or row after row of suburban housing in Kilburn, there is a fantastic London landmark waiting when I cross through Zone 1. Today I passed the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Added to this the view of London from Westminster Bridge, and being able to walk through not one but three of London's fantastic Parks (St. James, Green and Regent's), and all in all it was one of my favourite routes so far.

I will stop there, lest I sound like an advert for London Tourism. Needless to say, it is with some trepidation I am eyeing my return to north west London for the completion of the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines next week. Wembley aside, the views are somewhat less spectuacular. Nevertheless, seeing all of London, the good and the bad, certainly makes me appreciate the city all the more.

Off back to Jersey (huzzah) til Monday, when my walks, and blog postings, will resume.

All the best
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Waterloo-Westminster-Green Park-Bond Street-Baker Street-St. John's Wood-Swiss Cottage-Finchley Road-West Hampstead-Kilburn-Willesden Green

Day 4 - Jubilee Line

The agony of choice or the choice of agony...

My walking has been delayed up to this point by the pain in my foot, but it recommenced today. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the Met Line as planned due to time constraints. Instead, I decided to start the Jubilee, with the proviso that I never walk more than two lines at once! I think the flexibility may prove useful later on...

In any case, I was somewhat nervous as I started walking, worried that my foot would not cope. I had earlier purchased some proper walking/running shoes (at last), and armed with these I set off from Stratford, taking my time to admire the new Olympic Stadium and Aquatic Centre. It wasn't the most thrilling of walks down to Canning Town, but I was pleased it was relatively pain free.

It was at this point, I confess, that I used the Underground for the only part of the journey I have planned to do so. Despite my best efforts, it is impossible to walk over the water between Canning Town, North Greenwich, Canary Wharf and Canada Water. Tunnels do exist, but are a long, long way away. In the spirit of following the tube lines, my only option was to head to the tube station, surfacing at North Greenwich and Canary Wharf to complete short walks around the areas and photograph the progress.

Starting again from Canada Water, and kindly accompanied by Jonathan Caunt, we set off to Waterloo. A nice walk in the afternoon sunshine provided no further drama, for which I am grateful, and I returned home optimistic about making more progress tomorrow.

Cheers

Alex

Stratford-West Ham-Canning Town-North Greenwich-Canary Wharf-Canada Water-Bermondsey-London Bridge-Southwark-Waterloo

Pain

The long walk that made up Day 3 of this endeavour has caused my foot to swell up and left me in rather a lot of pain. As a result, Friday and Sunday's walks have been rescheduled for the upcoming week, so all being well I will still be on target by the time I head home on Jersey...

Day 3 - Metropolitan Line (Part two)

Just got back and my feet are aching! A mammoth walk today, and huge thanks to those who joined me for it.

After a hectic start to the day (due largely to my own lack of any organisational ability) we headed off from Finchley Road into north-west London at about 2.45. Two or three hours of identical semi-detached housing followed, although Wembley itself was a highlight, a truly fantastic stadium. After stopping off nearby for lunch at a petrol station (in which the facilities, according to Rich, were 'pleasantly surprising' in terms of décor and cleanliness), we headed on, walking underneath the North Circular on a precariously thin pavement before passing through Brent, Harrow and Pinner. I pressed on more than I had originally intended, finally reaching Rickmansworth at about 10, where my feet gave up!

Various members of the British public must receive thanks for directing me when I went beyond where I had planned and was without a map, particularly a man near Moor Lane who must have been a little wary about opening his front door to my bearded, hoody wearing (trampish) self at 9.30ish.

Onwards tomorrow to Uxbridge with Khawar, where my efforts will be rewarded with a visit to the filming of the IT Crowd. Hoping the entertainment will make it all worth it...

Alex

Finchley Road-Wembley Park-Preston Road-Northwick Park-Harrow On The Hill-North Harrow-Pinner-Northwood Hills-Northwood-Moor Park-Rickmansworth (18 miles)

Day 2 - Metropolitan Line

An early start (well, 10AM, so not that early really, but anything before 12 feels early to me) saw me grab the tube to Aldgate and start the second part of the trip, the Met line.

The line goes from the City out into north west London, with several different branches to Uxbridge, Amersham, Chesham and Watford. But for today, a nice central chunk, leaving from Aldgate and walking through the city in the sunshine. The highlight of the day was Regent's Park, and I remain jealous of the hundreds of people lazing about enjoying the weather. I was able to find the tamest squirrel in London, and for a short while thought he was going to walk all the way to Finchley Road with me, but alas on discovering I had no food he gave up and scurried away...

Finchley Road to Pinner tomorrow!
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Aldgate-Liverpool Street-Moorgate-Barbican-Farringdon-King's Cross-Euston Square-Great Portland Street-Baker Street-Finchley Road

Schedule

As promised, for those of you with some insane desire to accompany me, this is my (rough) plan for attempting this project. Please keep your disbelieving groans to a minimum, and comment underneath if you are free on any of the days when you would like to walk some (or all) of a section with me.

It is really appreciated!

PLAN

Monday 19th April 10AM - Waterloo & City Line - Waterloo->Bank

Wednesday 21st April 10AM - Metropolitan Line - Aldgate->Finchley Road

Thursday 22nd April 2.30PM - Metropolitan Line - Finchley Road->Rickmansworth

Tuesday 27th April 4PM - Jubilee Line - London Bridge->Waterloo
Wednesday 28th April 10AM - Jubilee Line - Waterloo->Willesden Green

Monday 3rd May PM - Northern Line - Morden->Old Street

Tuesday 4th May 3PM - Jubilee Line - Willesden Green->Stanmore

Wednesday 5th May 10AM - Metropolitan Line - Uxbridge->Harrow-On-The-Hill [may attempt to start Bakerloo Line, time and energy permitting...]

Thursday 6th May 9AM - Bakerloo Line - Harrow and Wealdstone->Elephant & Castle (ENTIRE LINE! Will take a while, if you want to join please pick a chunk and find me)

Friday 7th May 10AM - Piccadilly Line - Cockfosters->King's Cross

Saturday 8th May 9AM - Picadilly Line - King's Cross->Park Royal

Sunday 9th May 1PM- Piccadilly Line - Park Royal->Uxbridge

Monday 10th May 3PM - Piccadilly Line - Acton Town->Heathrow Airport Ts1-5

Tuesday 11th May 4PM - Circle Line - Moorgate->Hammersmith

Wednesday 12th May 8AM - Circle Line - Edgware Road->Moorgate

Thursday 13th May TBH - Victoria Line - Walthamstow Central->Brixton (ENTIRE LINE! Will take a while, if you want to join please pick a chunk and find me. During the day, I will have an Interviewing Assessment at some point. As a result, the exact details of the day are as yet to be finalised)

Friday 14th May 9AM - District Line - Upminster->West Ham

Sunday 16th May 1PM - District Line - West Ham->Kensington Olympia

Monday 17th May 3PM - District Line - Edgware Road->Wimbledon

Wednesday 19th May 9AM - District Line - Earl's Court->Richmond + Turnham Green->Ealing Broadway

Thursday 20th May 11AM - Metropolitan Line - Rickmansworth->Chesham

Friday 21st May 11AM - Northern Line - High Barnet->London Bridge

Saturday 22nd May 1PM - Northern Line - Edgware Road->Euston

Sunday 23rd May 1PM - Hammersmith and City Line - Hammersmith->Kings Cross

Monday 24th May 3PM - Hammersmith and City Line - Kings Cross->Whitechapel

Tuesday 25th May 3PM - Hammersmith and City Line - Whitechapel->Barking

Wednesday 26th May 10AM - Central Line - West Ruislip->North Acton

Thursday 27th May 12PM - Central Line - Ealing Broadway->Liverpool Street

Friday 28th May 10AM - Central Line - Liverpool Street->Leytonstone

Saturday 29th May 12 PM - Central Line - Leytonstone->Epping

Sunday 30th May 12PM - Central Line - Leytonstone->Woodford (Circular Part)

Monday 31st May - REST!

Monday 31st May also serve as a useful catch up day if, for any reason, I am behind schedule...

Looking forward to it now!

Day 1 - Waterloo and City Line

It was a riveting start to my challenge today. Getting up semi-early, I grabbed the Jubilee to Waterloo and began the long and complicated walk to Bank, the only other stop on the line.

No stories of note, but tis early days, and I fear it may not be the last time I cross the river...

One line down, eleven to go.

Alex