Grand Union Canal – Paddington to Harlesden

Posted on 13 Jun 2025 by Phil

A nice day forecast (in fact, it turned out to be almost too hot), so back on the trains again. Fast to London Bridge, then Thameslink to Farringdon – which stopped for 20 minutes in a tunnel due to someone on the track further up. Then Hammersmith and City to Paddington, which only got as far as Edgware Road due to a blockage further on. Friday 13th anyone?

As it happens, Edgware Road was more convenient for Paddington Basin:

This then led past the entrance I’d have used if I’d gone to Paddington:

A bit further up is Little Venice:

And then the Grand Union Canal itself:

The canal runs alongside Kensal Green Cemetery, mostly hidden behind a wall:

And then alongside the various railway stuff at Old Oak Common and HS2 works:

Further on, a temporary towpath had been constructed while work was being done on the main towpath. This was floating, and VERY bouncy to walk on!

Harlesden Station is fairly near the canal, so that seemed a good point to stop. The road passed the McVitie’s factory:

From Harlesden, it was a Bakerloo tube to Charing Cross and a fast, air-conditioned train back to Orpington. A nice day!

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Posted on 8 Jun 2025 by Phil

Better weather today, so it’s off to Paignton Station for a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and the River Dart:

We caught a ferry across the river from Kingswear Station:

and had a wander around Dartmouth, followed by a beer:

Then onto a bigger boat for a cruise up and down the Dart:

After another stroll around Dartmouth, we caught the ferry back to Kingswear:

And the train back to Paignton:

A lovely day out!

Babbacombe Model Village

Posted on 7 Jun 2025 by Phil

Not far from the top of the cliff railway was Babbacombe Model Village, built into a small valley. It’s difficult to get the scale of this from the photo until you spot a (real) person:

All very well done, with many humorous touches.

It had started to drizzle a bit, so we headed to a pub for lunch, and had to stay there drinking until the rain stopped and we could walk back to the hotel!

Babbacombe Walk

Posted on 7 Jun 2025 by Phil

A relaxed start today. It turns out that the local cost is part of a UNESCO Global Geopark and there was a nice round trip walk on the notice board:

So boots on and we headed up the road and past an unusual cricket ground on the tops:

I suppose if you hit a 6, the ball rolls back down to the pitch!

Lovely and peaceful on the top of the cliffs:

and finally, the sea comes in view:

The path (now the South West Coast Path) follows along the coast:

and then drops down through the woods, with a LOT of steps, to Babbacombe Beach:

A mini-village by the sea, all looking very tropical:

Too early for the pub, so we had a coffee from a little cafe on the promenade:

The sea was incredibly still and clear:

From there, we followed along the coast to Oddicombe Beach:

We used the Babbacombe Cliff Railway as an easy way to get back up the cliffs:

A nice little walk.

Babbacombe

Posted on 6 Jun 2025 by Phil

We’re having a long weekend in the West Country and staying at a hotel by the sea in Babbacombe. As usual, a slightly fraught journey along the A303 – the good bits are brilliant then another frustrating traffic jam… Lovely room with a balcony and sea view though:

We tried to walk down to the sea, but the path was very steep and overgrown:

So we gave up and headed for the pub instead!

A nice meal of sea bass:

And a gentle stroll along the tops back to the hotel:

Chesham & Amersham

Posted on 23 May 2025 by Phil

I was going to head to Paddington and walk some of the Grand Union Canal today, but spotted a “semi-fast” train going to Chesham, and decided a bit of countryside at the far end of the Metropolitan Line would be bettter.

Chesham Station only has a single platform, but was surprisingly busy:

A footpath leads from the station back along the line:

And soon gets to Meades Water Gardens, a lovely little spot:

Then wiggles around under the tube line before heading uphill into Little Hodds Wood:

and a nice bench for lunch:

At the other end of the woods, there was a bit of road walking to Amersham Station:

From there, I caught a little diesel train back to Marylebone, then the tube and a fast train back to Orpington.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Posted on 15 May 2025 by Phil

Quite a bit cooler today, so we went for a walk around Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We were last there in 2012, see:

There is a new “Discovery Centre” opened recently (replacing a hut) with info on the reserve:

And an excellent cafe, with some seats by the window, complete with binoculars!

We also joined the Sussex Wildlife Trust while were there and finally (at least according to Rocco) set off for a walk:

It was quite windy along the coast. Rocco eventually found a bit of a stick on the shingle:

and once we got to the sea, he loved retrieving it from the waves:

There are many hides on the reserve; this one was good as there was a lot of bird activity just outside it:

The habitat changed as we headed inland:

And we headed to the ruins of Camber Castle, where we found a sheltered alcove to have our lunch:

The castle is no longer open to the public due to its condition, but we could have a peek inside through the gates:

Then back to the car. A nice 6 mile walk, though very windy at times!

Smallhythe Place

Posted on 14 May 2025 by Phil

On the way back from Tenterden was a small National Trust property, Smallhythe Place. We’d been there many years ago, but it was worth another visit:
The house was the home of the actress Ellen Terry, with many theatrical bits more of interest to Tina.

There was an interesting map showing Wittersham as an island in the 14th century:

The gardens were lovely:

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Posted on 14 May 2025 by Phil

The Kent & East Sussex Railway heritage line is (fairly) close to where we are staying, so we got up early to catch the train. Whilst waiting, we had a look at a very interesting museum covering the branch lines that Colonel Stephens was involved in – most of which are now long closed…

One of the station staff was kind enough to take our picture by the station:

Classic carriage, complete with route map printed on the table:

And 50 minutes later, were were at Bodiam Station, opened 25 years ago:

There was a nice field between the station and the castle where Rocco could let off steam:

Then after a coffee, we had a walk around Bodiam Castle:

Then off to the local pub for a beer and a very nice lunch:

After lunch, we gave Rocco a longer walk:

and back to the station for our train home:

A nice trip.

Hole Park

Posted on 13 May 2025 by Phil

Today’s visit was to Hole Park, a private garden/woodland, see holepark.com

Lovely wisteria:

and a swing for Tina:

Not very interesting for Rocco as he had to stay on the lead though. After a coffee, we headed to the woodland walks, past many stunning flowering Rhododendrons: