Day 21 of the #GrandWalkOut started at the Coy Carp and Bridge 177 of the Grand Union Canal. I began walking and Bob drove onto Denham Country Park and started there.
There was as ever a lot to see, particularly when it came to waterfowl. There were more boats moored along the canalside. I also saw a chicken of the woods, said to be a tasty fungus.
I came across the site of the proposed Colne Valley viaduct for the HS2 line. Not yet built, it has attracted a lot of attention and protestor had attached objections to the fence at the site. Another example in which the natural environment looses out to human activity, this time for the gain of 10 minutes on the journey time from London to Birmingham.
I arrived at Denham deep lock to find that Fran’s Tea Room is not open on Mondays. I was reluctant to hang about until Wednesday to try it. However, the cafe at the Visitors Centre was open and I got some lunch there.
My section of the walk finished for today I planned to catch up with Bob by car. But a series of miscommunications meant I misunderstood the meeting point and went to Brentford. Oops! We were still 6 miles apart. I retraced my route and gathered him up from Southall High Street. He had made it to bridge 202.
It was the first time this walk that we’d manage to miss each other so once in 21 days wasn’t so bad. We were soon back at our new accommodation at Uxbridge where we will be based for the final sections of the #GrandWalkOut this week.
From my remembered bible: Be happy, I have found my lost sheep.
Sorry, I missed you.
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.
Janet Lees, somewhere between Southall and Brentford, 16.05.2022