In the 1990's I used to drive through Harmondsworth every day but never actually stopped in the village. The destruction this poorly planned runway will bring is true vandalism. It will also subject an estimated one million people to more noise and pollution. The alternative would be to annoy some multi-millionaires around Gatwick where only grass would need to be moved.
Why. The solution. Stay at home for your holidays. The only reason it is expanding is because it’s overcrowded by the public flying. You start at home, there’s no need for another runway
I used to live in West Drayton when I got married 40 years ago and know Harmondsworth well, so it was great to see this video. Anyone who wants to know more about the area, the changes wrought by the Airport, and more generally should seek out the books by Philip Sherwood who was my father-in-law and sadly died earlier this year and is buried in Harmondsworth churchyard, close to where John was walking. He was a long term campaigner against the airport since the government compulsorily occupied the Heathrow area near the end of the war, supposedly because Britain needed a new airforce base and hey presto at peace it was the ideal site for an airport, which ironically was for several years housed in tents and marquees! He was also a campaigner and leading light in the fight to save the Great Barn (not a tithe barn as it was a community resource for storing crops not where the big landowner stored their 10% cut of produce). Well worth seeing inside when lockdown allows. The same applies to Harmondsworth church which has a fine Norman doorway hidden in that almost always locked porch.
Found a link to this video on a local FB group! Its only 3:30 am and i watched the whole thing! It is totally tragic what is happening to this area. The history around here and the old buildings. You were not terribly far from the third oldest inn in england, the ostrich inn, at colnbrook! I grew up in longford, infact in the house on your video, next to the white horse pub! The first house in your video has an old quaker graveyard in it. The bridge with the heron in the river, it never used to look that way. We used to play as kids in the river there and in those days, you could walk under the road and straight onto the grassed area at the end of the runway. Many times our unruly dog followed me and ran about there 😳 There also used to be 3 more old huge barns that we used to play in, besides the one you walked past. The whole village of longford is under the compulsory purchase zone and will be wiped from the landscape forever. It is so terribly sad. Brilliant video. V glad you didn’t seriously hurt yourself when you fell. Interesting that you decided to live in the uk with your (i assume) australian wife! Think i would have rather stayed in oz! Will subscribe to your channel and watch more of your videos, but i think i will do it after i get more sleep! Thank you from a grateful insomniac!
Hello John. Don't know how I missed this film from two years ago, especially as it is of special interest to me having grown up in and around the West Drayton area. The beautiful River Colne ran right at the end of our road, and the Rivers Frays and Pinn were very nearby too. An idyllic childhood, it was, mucking about in those waters. Good to be reminded of how beautiful this area of Middlesex still is, despite the proximity of the airport and expansion of the towns. Fingers crossed that the third runway obliteration doesn't come to pass.
At last, something has popped up in the YT recommended list which actually interests me. Thanks for taking us with you on your walks - much appreciated!
I'm so glad that you didn't injure yourself badly John. I hope the pain goes away soon. I loved this video, especially near the end when you explained about your trip around the World and how you met your wife. Thanks for brightening up my Sunday evening. After a long shift at work, it was just what I needed before bedtime. Have a great week ahead! 🙂👍
This has made my wkend. The Great John Rogers in my home town . West Drayton I’m so pleased the last you have done this walk as there really is a lot of history in this area . Thanks John
These politicians need to take a walk like you around Harmondsworth and maybe just maybe they’ll reconsider? If they’ve got any respect for our beautiful towns and villages the plan of demolition would be halted immediately. Good work John and thanks.
That'd be great Chris - I heard how the politicians reacted when they went to Stratford to visit the Olympic site before the bid - most of them had never been that far East
Such a wonderful, varied walk. As usual, it is a pleasure to vicariously follow along. Here's hoping the Heathrow Airport expansion is blocked for the duration. It is more important than ever to stop over-development and to preserve places like this. Sorry about the fall too, gosh, what a shock--hope that leg is ok.
@@JohnRogersWalks, oh yes, I'm sure, especially now that the pandemic seems to finally lifting--this sense comes through in this walk. Anyway, I always look forward to viewing your next walk, "wherever it might be"... and am sure that your passion for walking will always see you through. These walks you share have definitely helped me and I'm sure many others, get through challenging times. So, thanks again for all that you do. :-)
That was my old home town, The borough of Hillingdon, although I lived in North Hillingdon, that would be a great walk from Hillingdon to Uxbridge an ancient saxon settlement, and home to the RAF . Hope your leg/foot is ok John and you are able to recover for next weeks walk. A Great video
Each time I watch one of your videos, I always wish my interest in history would have been there at school - but I didn't have you as my teacher, so perhaps that's why !! Another great video with great facts. (*_*)
What a fantastic walk John, so sad to think all these beautiful places being destroyed . I hope your foot gets better soon, was so pleased you made it back to the station.
It's just amazing that right up to the old Waterloo Bridge Stones I have walked with my dogs nearly every day...I have lived in Yiewsley and West Drayton for just over 40 years and know every step of the way(s). I sit on the stones and let my (now) dog, have a sniff. He chases "pretend" rabbits! I know that some of the little inclines can be very slippery, hope the pain has gone now, I've done it myself, ouch. Looking forward to your next adventure. Thank you John.
That walk was so enjoyable. The history alone was so interesting, I was born in Hillingdon so this was extra special for me. I do hope you recovered from your fall with not much damage done. Thank you so much.
Hi, I used to live in West Drayton, few things to say John. It’s worth checking out the small Green at West Drayton near the church, some lovely old buildings there..& Southlands Arts Centre is worth a walk around near the Green.... If you come back to head to Harmondsworth you can walk through the Closes park and the housing estate over another M4 bridge which takes you directly into the Moor. It cuts out that busy road you walked down. The wildlife over the Moor was amazing and I often heard a cuckoo in the summer.... I was part of the group who saved the barn(as it was owned by an off shore company), luckily we got English Heritage involved who fought to buy it & they carried out sympathetic renovations.... it is truly amazing so do try & get back there to see inside..lovely you went to this area...
Being from the US I'm just amazed you weren't approached by airport police menacingly quizzed as to why you were walking around recording, hauled into their office, detained for hours, then just unceremoniously told to go home and don't come back. That you can in fact walk up to the airport blew my mind. Gosh I love England.
thanks for that dose of perspective Allan - I do know people who have been approached by Police for photographing near the airport in the past but there were surprisingly few people around at all
I hope the leg is OK! I'm a bit sensitive to freak accidents at the moment as my wife cut her hand in the kitchen last weekend and managed to sever a tendon. Fortunately they stitched her back together well! So interesting to hear more about your trip around the world. I left my own home country of the US in 1995 and never went back. I didn't really plan it that way, but that's what happened. And, as always, thanks for the walk. I'm glad you took this opportunity to document the area and raise awareness of what might happen to it. I'm hoping that it won't come to that.
Well, that was strange! Your channel just appeared and the first video showed you walking through the town where I grew up, West Drayton, and then onto Harmonsdsworth - where we would visit the pub on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you for all of the interesting historical info. Looking forward to watching your other videos.
Now having watched many of your videos ( after exhausting Joolz Guides ) I thought it was about time I left a comment! Your and Joolz’s styles of presentation are of course very different but equally entertaining. I really enjoyed this video. I used to be fairly neutral on the idea of a 3rd runway until I visited Longford. We’ve stayed at the Thistle Heathrow a few times pre flight and last time we were there decided to walk up the Bath road to the White Horse pub for dinner. It’s really small and quaint inside and the landlord was really friendly. I was really surprised to find such an olde world village just the other side of the airport perimeter and can now understand why the local people are so angry about the runway situation. It’s totally unnecessary and sad for these villages. Hope you’re feeling better after your accident. Looking forward to your next walk!
many thanks for that story - glad you've found the channel. My leg is on the mend thanks - must have to rest up for a few more days but I'll be back out there in no time
it really is a fascinating area. Lockdown Started last year and our walks with virtually no planes flying felt wonderfully eerie. Hotels all closed. Aircraft and so many were all parked wing-tip to tip. Experiencing bluebells, nature and wildlife. I live near and we said it will be a cherished memory of a peaceful time and maybe perhaps never happen again in our lifetime. Harmondsworth and Heathrow once all tiny historic villages. Penguin Books was there and Black and Decker. Thanks for the walk you always do great research for these. I learn so much. Glad your ankle survived and recovered. Look forward to your next walk.
I hope your leg is ok now? I feel so sorry for you. That sounded painful. Thank you for soldiering on.. that was a great walk, it had me immersed, it’s like I was with you.. those villages were lovely and I will endeavour to see them soon, as well as the viewpoint on those mounds. Thank you John. Hope you are ok 👍
I lived in Greenford for two years so this part of Middlesex is known to me. Harmondsworth looks beguiling and certainly does not require a runway. Travesty if it goes ahead. Enchanting content, Jnhn. Hope your leg is better.🇯🇪
John, your videos are always such a pleasure and now seem to form an essential part of my Sunday evening. For that I thank you. So nice to enjoy a stroll in the old country with your engaging and informative commentary. Hope the leg is holding up OK?
Your video inspired me to visit Harmondsworth so I threw my bike in the back of the car and headed off there yesterday. I parked up (free) in the high street and had a fabulous afternoon cycling around the moor and the paths along the rivers. I finished off with an ice cream from the village shop which I enjoyed while sitting on the village green in the glorious sunshine. What a lovely village and it's criminal that Heathrow's 3rd runway might spoil it forever! Thank you for the video.
It's not Harmondsworth that's potentially facing being wiped off the map, neighbouring Sipson would also go. Both would be flattened and would disappear forever if the Heathrow third runway gets built. Two towns obliterated. It's utterly tragic.
Gutted that place under threat amazing weather this weekend Congrats on getting out great vid I did the Lesnes abbey then woods then your root over the hilly woods even found Rockcliffe gardens felt sad how rundown they looked
What unexpected turns the narrative of this walk took, falling on your arse being the main one. So good to see you out at last, away from home and in such green settings, with such a contrast to the glass and steel of the ending.
Wonderful walk! Thank you for all the context. It's a beautiful and special area. I hope sense prevails and it is protected as it is today. I can see the last part of the walk was painful. Your dedication is inspiring.
Fascinating walk. Do hope your knee is OK. I am having knee replacement next month so know your pain. What a beautiful village, I can hardly believe it could all go. Thank you John 🙋♀️
John, you truly make history come alive! I watched your walk to the Broomstick sandbar and I honestly lost all track of time! This walk was marvelous. I hope this wonderful, important area is not lost to a tarmac!!! I know your leg healed, but I hope it didn't bother you too much right at the time. Greetings from the USA.
I stayed at the King's Paget Hotel a couple of years ago - with my Mexican pal and a bunch of Americans who came over with him. Thanks John for including this hotel! Happy memories. Great filming as always.
Hi John I watched this video a few weeks ago, as live in West Drayton ( Although I’m Yorkshire born and Bred but my wife is a west Drayton girl!!) I am now a subscriber to your videos, still in the process of watching them all. I would just like to say, Your videos are not only interesting and relaxing to watch but have also been very educational to me personally. I’m a bit of a Walker and you have now inspired me to go and explore these places for myself. Looking forward to seeing many more of your videos mate 😉
John; I've been watching your walk videos for about a month now; and really, really enjoying your work; but I did not expect your story of the witch Elizabeth Duck having been accused of 'enchanting and Ox' in 1575... I've been shaking with laughter for about half an hour now... You told it PERFECTLY...If you ever get tired of walking you should try stand-up comedy. Very well done; you've made my day... Thank you. By the way, your walk videos around London are absolutely excellent. Wade Blaser, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Another very interesting walk, John. Thank you. Particularly enjoyed the autobiographical section towards the end, where you were being very reflective. A video of your plans for the year would be very interesting. Hope the leg and knee are ok.
Thanks for another walk. I hope you recovered from your injury quickly. It's absolutely mad that they would destroy such an old, picturesque village for another runway when we can't travel at the moment and when we can I imagine fewer people will.
How In The ----' Can Anyone Allow Expansion of Any Kind On That Area From Ond American To All Brits Fight Those Clowns That Want To Destroy Such A Beautiful Area ,,Makes Me So Mad To Even Hear They Have The Stones To Try It The More Those Developers Get The More They Will Take I've Seen It In States Here To Many Dam Times And Your History Is Being Stolen Yes I Am American You May Say What Does The Yank Care For . Simple I LOVE ENGLAND ALWAYS WILL Fight For What's Rightly Yours As Well As History itself
Hey John, really hope it's not too serious mate and do try to take it easy for a few days. Probably gonna hurt in the morning but rest up and enjoy watching your own videos for a few days!! The fact the video is up tells me you clearly made it back ok at least so thank you for completing and sharing the video - almost 45 minutes long - what a treat!
Hi John. Great video. Thanks for trekking this area which has always held a little bit of fascination for me ever since reading Leslie Thomas's fiction book, Arrivals and Departures. In his inimitable style, Leslie Thomas describes the lives and loves of the people of Harmondsworth and the surrounding villages as well of the interaction of the characters connected with Heathrow airport. I remember you mentioning reading another Leslie Thomas book, the Tropic of Ruislip in one of your previous walks so you may also enjoy this one. He has a knack of bringing his characters and the area in which they live, to life. Hope the leg is OK. Kind regards
Hi John, Just made a wee donation to you. John you are addictive. This particular video is something i'm interested in. I have friends who live in Lt. Downham, Ely, Cambs. & I last visited late 2019. Thank you for doing a video on the possible destruction of medieval villages. This is madness & I have not heard anything since I was last in England. Could you give me an update? You are so down-to-earth & a real decent chap, I say. I am long-time Anglophile & Beatlemaniac. I see that you still have a limp & hope your leg isn't too painful. Thank you for you are such a good example of why I love everything British. Peace & love from Kathleen
Oh John so sorry to see you take a nasty fall and I hope you have recovered well. Thanks for this lovely film . It makes me angry to think anyone could sacrifice such a lovely place and part of our heritage and history for flight travel . The magnificent shot of the heron flying and then seeing the mighty aircraft just summed it up for me . 😊👍
Interesting to see my old house in Station Road - I don't know how many times it has changed hands since I left to live in France. My first home in West Drayton was on the Green. I used to regularly walk around the area (and also along the canal towpath to Uxbridge). St. Martins Church used to hold fetes, and one year whilst I was there, they opened the church tower for people to go up and have a look around. (They may well have done that every year...). I took several photos from up there - good views all around, especially of the airport.
Another enjoyable video, thanks John! I was out walking last Sunday too, and got caught out by the sun/snow/sun change within a 5 minute spell ! Crazy! Hope that there's no serious damage to your leg & ankle, and that you're up and about again soon!
Really enjoyed the walk and as always very interesting. Hope the leg’s ok. I would love to see a video of your planned walking “campaign” for this year.
Thanks John for another wonderful video. I appreciate your recanting the history of the places you are passing. Wishing your leg a speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing your next video once your leg is healed. Take care
Yes, a walk with a difference - you did part of it lying down. Hope the leg is OK! Amazing to think you seem to be in the middle of nowhere but only 40 minutes from the Tube! And I reckon the Enchanted Ox would be a great pub name.
Hello John, Thanks for that amazing video of Harmondsworth. I really hope this village won't be torn down for an airpirt runway! That would be a sin! Your channel was recommended to me after I watched Joolz Guides. I'm from Niagara Falls, Canada and have only been to England once and it was awhile back. As soon as covid 19 travel restrictions are lifted here, I'm going to start travelling again! Great Brittain is on my list!
My first video viewing John. Thank you - although living in London since the 1970’s I hadn’t heard of Harmondsworth until the Heathrow expansion debate. Despite being a West London resident who values their international travel opportunities I did favour “Boris Island”. Your video has helped me to consolidate my thinking on the Heathrow expansion. I’ve clicked “subscribe” and am looking forward to your next walk.
That was a treat that kept on giving 😀 for a start you’ve done it again and inspired me to walk close to home (I’m a Slough resident so this is nearby), plus it was timely as I’d driven by Heathrow this morning on my way to walk the Thames (Ham up-River to Kingston). Just goes to show there’s so much to see nearby if you just take time and look. Thanks again John for another great vlog and for making me take time to pay attention to my surroundings when walking 👍👍👍 you’ve definitely given me inspiration to walk more and pay more attention to my surroundings (followed one of your walks along the Grand Union canal the other week.....what have you done 🤣🤣 but thank you !!! 😀)
But it's so good that your youthful journey rather than addicting you to a lifetime of roaming in exotic landscapes somehow made you feel that true travel is an inner thing and our "ordinary,normal,boring,everyday" place is just as interesting. You explain it in your book,it's so lucky for us. You have a gift,the magic is there,but only a few have the gift to make it explicable,the wizard gift.
Many years ago I was in and out of the two detention centres along the bath road, was put on standby when Harmondsworth centre had a riot. Never realised it was so nice round there.
Hi John Quite amazing that I don't think I saw another person on foot in the video apart from at the big barn. When you filmed the planes flying over in the blue sky it reminded of the great film 'Dogtooth'. Must get out there when restrictions are further lifted to try out those pubs. Gary
John - I love it when you find landmarks and paths so close to mega structures like T5. I'd love to hear the person on the phone trying to get someone to thatch a cottage about 2 miles from Heathrow! "yes, the thatched cottage near terminal 5"....
Love coming on the walks with you. I used to like a bit of long distance walking myself, but since developing RA my walking has become somewhat curtailed. I really felt for you when fell. I know what what joint pain is! Hope you're leg is better, ready for the next walk.
A deeply evocative film, John. Thank you. I remember trying to snaffle Chub, without success, from the Duke of Northumberland's river in Longford in the mid 80s. It used to be patrolled by a scary looking chap with an even scarier looking Alsatian, who walked the river's entire length deterring would-be fish rustlers.
Surprise walk and bitter sweet again. Some interesting historical facts. A part of London alien to me so thank you for showing both aspects. Hope you have your leg up and a few libations to hand. Id like to hear what walks you have planned. Nice one... cheers
I’m thrilled to find your videos. Like you I deplore the tearing down of old buildings from our past in order to build more parking lots or ugly commercial buildings that look terrible and add nothing to surroundings.
This was excellent. Thank you. It was also heartbreaking to think most of thIs will disappear under concrete and tarmac. So sad. Some of the lovely parts of London that I have seen. I am hoping that post pandemic and less with aviation the 3rd runway won't go ahead. Thanks again John.
west Drayton , uxbridge and that area was an old stomping ground of mine. all included in this video brought back good memories of past times when i lived there as a much younger lad. literally lived a few doors down along the shot at 9 mins 53 sec xD
So glad to see that you do not seem to have done yourself any lasting damage on that mid-walk slip I've enjoyed so many of these walks since discovering the channel "accidentally" through the recent friends of the River Roding video. First time I've shared such a dramatic OUCH though Hope that knee is much recovered now roughly a week later
oof! that tumble was alarming! i do hope that your leg wasn't too badly injured and that you healed quickly! i'm particularly glad that you made it to the station in this episode without too much distress - phew!
Great video John, as always. Had a chuckle with your T5 exploits at the end - airports really aren’t designed for people arriving on foot- we discovered this in Pisa many years ago when we stayed just 5 mins from the airport but were told we had to get a taxi as there was no footpath access - they were right too! We ended up getting onto the railway station platforms via a level crossing and getting in that way …
We must protect our cultures and our heritage we are losing everything 💔😢
National identity is being completely erased. Very troubling to see.
@@tasmxiwslwisne the same here in Ireland chop down all the trees and tarmack everywhereit makes me sad
Globalists care not for national heritage.
Yes
It’s incredulous that Heathrow 3rd runway would flatten all this, it’s insanity at its most insane.
quite agree Dara
@@JohnRogersWalks originally, HS2 and Heathrow were either or proposals, not both. Such a disgrace.
In the 1990's I used to drive through Harmondsworth every day but never actually stopped in the village. The destruction this poorly planned runway will bring is true vandalism. It will also subject an estimated one million people to more noise and pollution. The alternative would be to annoy some multi-millionaires around Gatwick where only grass would need to be moved.
@@DaraM73 They should be neither nor proposals.
Why. The solution. Stay at home for your holidays. The only reason it is expanding is because it’s overcrowded by the public flying. You start at home, there’s no need for another runway
I used to live in West Drayton when I got married 40 years ago and know Harmondsworth well, so it was great to see this video. Anyone who wants to know more about the area, the changes wrought by the Airport, and more generally should seek out the books by Philip Sherwood who was my father-in-law and sadly died earlier this year and is buried in Harmondsworth churchyard, close to where John was walking. He was a long term campaigner against the airport since the government compulsorily occupied the Heathrow area near the end of the war, supposedly because Britain needed a new airforce base and hey presto at peace it was the ideal site for an airport, which ironically was for several years housed in tents and marquees! He was also a campaigner and leading light in the fight to save the Great Barn (not a tithe barn as it was a community resource for storing crops not where the big landowner stored their 10% cut of produce). Well worth seeing inside when lockdown allows. The same applies to Harmondsworth church which has a fine Norman doorway hidden in that almost always locked porch.
@John Buffalo I am 98 Hertfordshire
After a Sunday lunch and a chill,Sunday isn't complete without a walk with John Rogers.
hope you enjoyed it Mike
@@JohnRogersWalks I'm still watching John,keep getting interrupted !...Not by you i might add :-)
Found a link to this video on a local FB group! Its only 3:30 am and i watched the whole thing!
It is totally tragic what is happening to this area. The history around here and the old buildings. You were not terribly far from the third oldest inn in england, the ostrich inn, at colnbrook!
I grew up in longford, infact in the house on your video, next to the white horse pub! The first house in your video has an old quaker graveyard in it. The bridge with the heron in the river, it never used to look that way. We used to play as kids in the river there and in those days, you could walk under the road and straight onto the grassed area at the end of the runway. Many times our unruly dog followed me and ran about there 😳
There also used to be 3 more old huge barns that we used to play in, besides the one you walked past.
The whole village of longford is under the compulsory purchase zone and will be wiped from the landscape forever. It is so terribly sad.
Brilliant video. V glad you didn’t seriously hurt yourself when you fell.
Interesting that you decided to live in the uk with your (i assume) australian wife! Think i would have rather stayed in oz!
Will subscribe to your channel and watch more of your videos, but i think i will do it after i get more sleep!
Thank you from a grateful insomniac!
Mmmm....3rd Heathrow runway........like we really need it!!
exactly Rick
Hello John. Don't know how I missed this film from two years ago, especially as it is of special interest to me having grown up in and around the West Drayton area. The beautiful River Colne ran right at the end of our road, and the Rivers Frays and Pinn were very nearby too. An idyllic childhood, it was, mucking about in those waters. Good to be reminded of how beautiful this area of Middlesex still is, despite the proximity of the airport and expansion of the towns. Fingers crossed that the third runway obliteration doesn't come to pass.
At last, something has popped up in the YT recommended list which actually interests me. Thanks for taking us with you on your walks - much appreciated!
I'm so glad that you didn't injure yourself badly John. I hope the pain goes away soon.
I loved this video, especially near the end when you explained about your trip around the World and how you met your wife.
Thanks for brightening up my Sunday evening. After a long shift at work, it was just what I needed before bedtime.
Have a great week ahead! 🙂👍
This has made my wkend. The Great John Rogers in my home town . West Drayton I’m so pleased the last you have done this walk as there really is a lot of history in this area . Thanks John
These politicians need to take a walk like you around Harmondsworth and maybe just maybe they’ll reconsider? If they’ve got any respect for our beautiful towns and villages the plan of demolition would be halted immediately. Good work John and thanks.
That'd be great Chris - I heard how the politicians reacted when they went to Stratford to visit the Olympic site before the bid - most of them had never been that far East
But they don't.
Such a wonderful, varied walk. As usual, it is a pleasure to vicariously follow along. Here's hoping the Heathrow Airport expansion is blocked for the duration. It is more important than ever to stop over-development and to preserve places like this. Sorry about the fall too, gosh, what a shock--hope that leg is ok.
glad you enjoyed it Carole - one of those walks that I'll remember for a long time and not just because of the injured leg
@@JohnRogersWalks, oh yes, I'm sure, especially now that the pandemic seems to finally lifting--this sense comes through in this walk. Anyway, I always look forward to viewing your next walk, "wherever it might be"... and am sure that your passion for walking will always see you through. These walks you share have definitely helped me and I'm sure many others, get through challenging times. So, thanks again for all that you do. :-)
That was my old home town, The borough of Hillingdon, although I lived in North Hillingdon, that would be a great walk from Hillingdon to Uxbridge an ancient saxon settlement, and home to the RAF . Hope your leg/foot is ok John and you are able to recover for next weeks walk. A Great video
thanks John - on the mend - should be out in a week or so
Each time I watch one of your videos, I always wish my interest in history would have been there at school - but I didn't have you as my teacher, so perhaps that's why !! Another great video with great facts. (*_*)
What a fantastic walk John, so sad to think all these beautiful places being destroyed . I hope your foot gets better soon, was so pleased you made it back to the station.
It's just amazing that right up to the old Waterloo Bridge Stones I have walked with my dogs nearly every day...I have lived in Yiewsley and West Drayton for just over 40 years and know every step of the way(s). I sit on the stones and let my (now) dog, have a sniff. He chases "pretend" rabbits! I know that some of the little inclines can be very slippery, hope the pain has gone now, I've done it myself, ouch. Looking forward to your next adventure. Thank you John.
That walk was so enjoyable. The history alone was so interesting, I was born in Hillingdon so this was extra special for me. I do hope you recovered from your fall with not much damage done. Thank you so much.
Hi, I used to live in West Drayton, few things to say John. It’s worth checking out the small Green at West Drayton near the church, some lovely old buildings there..& Southlands Arts Centre is worth a walk around near the Green.... If you come back to head to Harmondsworth you can walk through the Closes park and the housing estate over another M4 bridge which takes you directly into the Moor. It cuts out that busy road you walked down. The wildlife over the Moor was amazing and I often heard a cuckoo in the summer.... I was part of the group who saved the barn(as it was owned by an off shore company), luckily we got English Heritage involved who fought to buy it & they carried out sympathetic renovations.... it is truly amazing so do try & get back there to see inside..lovely you went to this area...
Being from the US I'm just amazed you weren't approached by airport police menacingly quizzed as to why you were walking around recording, hauled into their office, detained for hours, then just unceremoniously told to go home and don't come back. That you can in fact walk up to the airport blew my mind. Gosh I love England.
thanks for that dose of perspective Allan - I do know people who have been approached by Police for photographing near the airport in the past but there were surprisingly few people around at all
I hope the leg is OK! I'm a bit sensitive to freak accidents at the moment as my wife cut her hand in the kitchen last weekend and managed to sever a tendon. Fortunately they stitched her back together well!
So interesting to hear more about your trip around the world. I left my own home country of the US in 1995 and never went back. I didn't really plan it that way, but that's what happened.
And, as always, thanks for the walk. I'm glad you took this opportunity to document the area and raise awareness of what might happen to it. I'm hoping that it won't come to that.
Well, that was strange! Your channel just appeared and the first video showed you walking through the town where I grew up, West Drayton, and then onto Harmonsdsworth - where we would visit the pub on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you for all of the interesting historical info. Looking forward to watching your other videos.
Thanks MaZ - glad you found the video - hope you enjoy some of the others
Now having watched many of your videos ( after exhausting Joolz Guides ) I thought it was about time I left a comment! Your and Joolz’s styles of presentation are of course very different but equally entertaining. I really enjoyed this video. I used to be fairly neutral on the idea of a 3rd runway until I visited Longford. We’ve stayed at the Thistle Heathrow a few times pre flight and last time we were there decided to walk up the Bath road to the White Horse pub for dinner. It’s really small and quaint inside and the landlord was really friendly. I was really surprised to find such an olde world village just the other side of the airport perimeter and can now understand why the local people are so angry about the runway situation. It’s totally unnecessary and sad for these villages. Hope you’re feeling better after your accident. Looking forward to your next walk!
many thanks for that story - glad you've found the channel. My leg is on the mend thanks - must have to rest up for a few more days but I'll be back out there in no time
@@JohnRogersWalks good to hear that !
What an incredible journey! Loved watching the changing sky. I hope you are on the mend.
Great video John!
I lived here until I was 23. Miss the place immensely, sad its going to go one day. Thanks for the documentary.
Brilliant walk..so much interesting information
thanks Stuart glad you enjoyed it
it really is a fascinating area. Lockdown Started last year and our walks with virtually no planes flying felt wonderfully eerie. Hotels all closed. Aircraft and so many were all parked wing-tip to tip. Experiencing bluebells, nature and wildlife. I live near and we said it will be a cherished memory of a peaceful time and maybe perhaps never happen again in our lifetime. Harmondsworth and Heathrow once all tiny historic villages. Penguin Books was there and Black and Decker. Thanks for the walk you always do great research for these. I learn so much. Glad your ankle survived and recovered. Look forward to your next walk.
I hope your leg is ok now? I feel so sorry for you. That sounded painful. Thank you for soldiering on.. that was a great walk, it had me immersed, it’s like I was with you.. those villages were lovely and I will endeavour to see them soon, as well as the viewpoint on those mounds. Thank you John. Hope you are ok 👍
I lived in Greenford for two years so this part of Middlesex is known to me. Harmondsworth looks beguiling and certainly does not require a runway. Travesty if it goes ahead. Enchanting content, Jnhn. Hope your leg is better.🇯🇪
What a gorgeous little bit of town.
Hi John. Still watching you’re amazing walks very interesting
Thanks Ricci
That’s cool love watching
John, your videos are always such a pleasure and now seem to form an essential part of my Sunday evening. For that I thank you. So nice to enjoy a stroll in the old country with your engaging and informative commentary. Hope the leg is holding up OK?
Why have I not stumbled upon your channel earlier? I love what i see... I miss London s much and your videos are a medicine to that! Thank you!
Your video inspired me to visit Harmondsworth so I threw my bike in the back of the car and headed off there yesterday. I parked up (free) in the high street and had a fabulous afternoon cycling around the moor and the paths along the rivers. I finished off with an ice cream from the village shop which I enjoyed while sitting on the village green in the glorious sunshine. What a lovely village and it's criminal that Heathrow's 3rd runway might spoil it forever! Thank you for the video.
Great to hear this Reginald - it’s such a great place let’s hope it can be saved
Thanks!
that's so kind of you - many thanks indeed
The battle of Harmansworth has been going on for 30 years atleast so your documting is so important. Hope your legs recovering John.
It's not Harmondsworth that's potentially facing being wiped off the map, neighbouring Sipson would also go. Both would be flattened and would disappear forever if the Heathrow third runway gets built. Two towns obliterated. It's utterly tragic.
@@robtyman4281 Is the answer to stop flying for your holidays? I don't mean holidaying in Spain etc, but long haul holidays.
Gutted that place under threat amazing weather this weekend
Congrats on getting out great vid
I did the Lesnes abbey then woods then your root over the hilly woods even found Rockcliffe gardens felt sad how rundown they looked
Loved this one saw my old work building at waterside, BA ❤..love this channel …John keep on walking but watch your step 😊
What unexpected turns the narrative of this walk took, falling on your arse being the main one.
So good to see you out at last, away from home and in such green settings, with such a contrast to the glass and steel of the ending.
Wonderful walk! Thank you for all the context. It's a beautiful and special area. I hope sense prevails and it is protected as it is today.
I can see the last part of the walk was painful. Your dedication is inspiring.
Fascinating walk. Do hope your knee is OK. I am having knee replacement next month so know your pain. What a beautiful village, I can hardly believe it could all go. Thank you John 🙋♀️
Brilliant John.Thanks.
John, you truly make history come alive! I watched your walk to the Broomstick sandbar and I honestly lost all track of time! This walk was marvelous. I hope this wonderful, important area is not lost to a tarmac!!! I know your leg healed, but I hope it didn't bother you too much right at the time. Greetings from the USA.
I stayed at the King's Paget Hotel a couple of years ago - with my Mexican pal and a bunch of Americans who came over with him.
Thanks John for including this hotel! Happy memories. Great filming as always.
Hi John I watched this video a few weeks ago, as live in West Drayton ( Although I’m Yorkshire born and Bred but my wife is a west Drayton girl!!) I am now a subscriber to your videos, still in the process of watching them all. I would just like to say, Your videos are not only interesting and relaxing to watch but have also been very educational to me personally. I’m a bit of a Walker and you have now inspired me to go and explore these places for myself. Looking forward to seeing many more of your videos mate 😉
Thanks very much Andy
John; I've been watching your walk videos for about a month now; and really, really enjoying your work; but I did not expect your story of the witch Elizabeth Duck having been accused of 'enchanting and Ox' in 1575... I've been shaking with laughter for about half an hour now... You told it PERFECTLY...If you ever get tired of walking you should try stand-up comedy. Very well done; you've made my day... Thank you. By the way, your walk videos around London are absolutely excellent.
Wade Blaser, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks Wade
Awesome John, just wonderful! Hope you're leg/back are making a speedy recovery!
Another very interesting walk, John. Thank you. Particularly enjoyed the autobiographical section towards the end, where you were being very reflective. A video of your plans for the year would be very interesting. Hope the leg and knee are ok.
Brilliant walk, John. Take care.
Thanks for another walk. I hope you recovered from your injury quickly. It's absolutely mad that they would destroy such an old, picturesque village for another runway when we can't travel at the moment and when we can I imagine fewer people will.
How In The ----' Can Anyone Allow Expansion of Any Kind On That Area From Ond American To All Brits Fight Those Clowns That Want To Destroy Such A Beautiful Area ,,Makes Me So Mad To Even Hear They Have The Stones To Try It The More Those Developers Get The More They Will Take I've Seen It In States Here To Many Dam Times And Your History Is Being Stolen Yes I Am American You May Say What Does The Yank Care For . Simple I LOVE ENGLAND ALWAYS WILL Fight For What's Rightly Yours As Well As History itself
Thank you for keeping going hope your leg is feeling better 🙂
Hey John, really hope it's not too serious mate and do try to take it easy for a few days. Probably gonna hurt in the morning but rest up and enjoy watching your own videos for a few days!! The fact the video is up tells me you clearly made it back ok at least so thank you for completing and sharing the video - almost 45 minutes long - what a treat!
Hi John. Great video. Thanks for trekking this area which has always held a little bit of fascination for me ever since reading Leslie Thomas's fiction book, Arrivals and Departures. In his inimitable style, Leslie Thomas describes the lives and loves of the people of Harmondsworth and the surrounding villages as well of the interaction of the characters connected with Heathrow airport. I remember you mentioning reading another Leslie Thomas book, the Tropic of Ruislip in one of your previous walks so you may also enjoy this one. He has a knack of bringing his characters and the area in which they live, to life. Hope the leg is OK. Kind regards
Hi John, Just made a wee donation to you. John you are addictive. This particular video is something i'm interested in. I have friends who live in Lt. Downham, Ely, Cambs. & I last visited late 2019. Thank you for doing a video on the possible destruction of medieval villages. This is madness & I have not heard anything since I was last in England. Could you give me an update? You are so down-to-earth & a real decent chap, I say. I am long-time Anglophile & Beatlemaniac. I see that you still have a limp & hope your leg isn't too painful. Thank you for you are such a good example of why I love everything British. Peace & love from Kathleen
Loved this video. Used to work in BA Head office Waterside Speedbird way. . Walked all over the places you have shown. Thank you.
As always, a really enjoyable and informative walk.👍😎
Good video mate
As allways: Fantastic video John, thanks!
many thanks Danny
Oh John so sorry to see you take a nasty fall and I hope you have recovered well. Thanks for this lovely film . It makes me angry to think anyone could sacrifice such a lovely place and part of our heritage and history for flight travel . The magnificent shot of the heron flying and then seeing the mighty aircraft just summed it up for me . 😊👍
Interesting to see my old house in Station Road - I don't know how many times it has changed hands since I left to live in France. My first home in West Drayton was on the Green.
I used to regularly walk around the area (and also along the canal towpath to Uxbridge).
St. Martins Church used to hold fetes, and one year whilst I was there, they opened the church tower for people to go up and have a look around. (They may well have done that every year...). I took several photos from up there - good views all around, especially of the airport.
Another enjoyable video, thanks John! I was out walking last Sunday too, and got caught out by the sun/snow/sun change within a 5 minute spell ! Crazy!
Hope that there's no serious damage to your leg & ankle, and that you're up and about again soon!
Really enjoyed the walk and as always very interesting. Hope the leg’s ok. I would love to see a video of your planned walking “campaign” for this year.
Thanks John for another wonderful video. I appreciate your recanting the history of the places you are passing. Wishing your leg a speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing your next video once your leg is healed. Take care
thanks Humble
Yes, a walk with a difference - you did part of it lying down. Hope the leg is OK! Amazing to think you seem to be in the middle of nowhere but only 40 minutes from the Tube! And I reckon the Enchanted Ox would be a great pub name.
A fantastic and informative video John, thank you. I am enjoying all your others too !
Great walk ,glad you recovered from your fall .
Hello John, Thanks for that amazing video of Harmondsworth. I really hope this village won't be torn down for an airpirt runway! That would be a sin! Your channel was recommended to me after I watched Joolz Guides.
I'm from Niagara Falls, Canada and have only been to England once and it was awhile back. As soon as covid 19 travel restrictions are lifted here, I'm going to start travelling again! Great Brittain is on my list!
thanks very much Katrina - so glad you enjoyed the video. Best of luck with your travel plans
@@JohnRogersWalks Thank you
wonderful video John. thoroughly interesting, cheers for keeping us informed!
My first video viewing John. Thank you - although living in London since the 1970’s I hadn’t heard of Harmondsworth until the Heathrow expansion debate. Despite being a West London resident who values their international travel opportunities I did favour “Boris Island”. Your video has helped me to consolidate my thinking on the Heathrow expansion. I’ve clicked “subscribe” and am looking forward to your next walk.
That was a treat that kept on giving 😀 for a start you’ve done it again and inspired me to walk close to home (I’m a Slough resident so this is nearby), plus it was timely as I’d driven by Heathrow this morning on my way to walk the Thames (Ham up-River to Kingston). Just goes to show there’s so much to see nearby if you just take time and look. Thanks again John for another great vlog and for making me take time to pay attention to my surroundings when walking 👍👍👍 you’ve definitely given me inspiration to walk more and pay more attention to my surroundings (followed one of your walks along the Grand Union canal the other week.....what have you done 🤣🤣 but thank you !!! 😀)
Slough ! My home town.
I always look forward to your videos on a Sunday it makes my day thank you for the content 👍
Didn't expect to end up where we did.😁 An interesting journey John; second time in West Drayton already this week.
But it's so good that your youthful journey rather than addicting you to a lifetime of roaming in exotic landscapes somehow made you feel that true travel is an inner thing and our "ordinary,normal,boring,everyday" place is just as interesting. You explain it in your book,it's so lucky for us. You have a gift,the magic is there,but only a few have the gift to make it explicable,the wizard gift.
Another good vid and walk, thank you John.
cheers Dave
Really interesting video, hope your ankle and knee is okay!!
thanks Lydia - ankle and knee are on the mend
Glad u ok and got back in 1 piece and thanks 4 a lovely ramble
It's great to see you west. Can you do Fulham sometime? I enjoyed your Shepherds Bush one.
Ooh you were baking the week before. Good old UK weather, now I remember why I came here. Fantastic video, thanks. Hope your leg is OK.
thanks Cyprus Insight - the leg is slowly on the mend
@@JohnRogersWalks good good, take care.
Tragic if aloud to happen great video as always John Rogers
Thanks Brian
Love your walks john from my old childhood haunts. best from down under.
thanks Clear Cloud
Great film John and fantastic history. I used to work in a very large secure building in West Drayton (!) but I never knew any of this. Thanks..
Many years ago I was in and out of the two detention centres along the bath road, was put on standby when Harmondsworth centre had a riot. Never realised it was so nice round there.
Came across your video by accident on TH-cam wow you're pretty good will watch your back catalogue and any future stuff you do, Genevieve Belgium,
Hats off to you for continuing on there John. Fascinating video.
Hi John
Quite amazing that I don't think I saw another person on foot in the video apart from at the big barn. When you filmed the planes flying over in the blue sky it reminded of the great film 'Dogtooth'. Must get out there when restrictions are further lifted to try out those pubs. Gary
John - I love it when you find landmarks and paths so close to mega structures like T5. I'd love to hear the person on the phone trying to get someone to thatch a cottage about 2 miles from Heathrow! "yes, the thatched cottage near terminal 5"....
Hope your leg feels better soon. Thank you for your walks.
Love coming on the walks with you. I used to like a bit of long distance walking myself, but since developing RA my walking has become somewhat curtailed. I really felt for you when fell. I know what what joint pain is! Hope you're leg is better, ready for the next walk.
A deeply evocative film, John. Thank you. I remember trying to snaffle Chub, without success, from the Duke of Northumberland's river in Longford in the mid 80s. It used to be patrolled by a scary looking chap with an even scarier looking Alsatian, who walked the river's entire length deterring would-be fish rustlers.
Surprise walk and bitter sweet again. Some interesting historical facts. A part of London alien to me so thank you for showing both aspects. Hope you have your leg up and a few libations to hand. Id like to hear what walks you have planned. Nice one... cheers
I do hope your leg is ok! Excellent walk, as per usual!
I’m thrilled to find your videos. Like you I deplore the tearing down of old buildings from our past in order to build more parking lots or ugly commercial buildings that look terrible and add nothing to surroundings.
This was excellent. Thank you. It was also heartbreaking to think most of thIs will disappear under concrete and tarmac. So sad. Some of the lovely parts of London that I have seen. I am hoping that post pandemic and less with aviation the 3rd runway won't go ahead. Thanks again John.
west Drayton , uxbridge and that area was an old stomping ground of mine. all included in this video brought back good memories of past times when i lived there as a much younger lad. literally lived a few doors down along the shot at 9 mins 53 sec xD
Outstanding as per usual John. Would love to watch a video of your planned walks for the summer.
thanks David - I might make that video for next weekend since I've been laid up - few other options as well
So glad to see that you do not seem to have done yourself any lasting damage on that mid-walk slip I've enjoyed so many of these walks since discovering the channel "accidentally" through the recent friends of the River Roding video. First time I've shared such a dramatic OUCH though Hope that knee is much recovered now roughly a week later
Really enjoyed the walk...hope your ok after your fall
Great stuff John, hope the ankle heals up soon.
oof! that tumble was alarming! i do hope that your leg wasn't too badly injured and that you healed quickly! i'm particularly glad that you made it to the station in this episode without too much distress - phew!
Hi John 👋 great video as usual. Just a suggestion John…on cold days like this maybe a good pair of warm corduroy trousers! 😃
Great video John, as always. Had a chuckle with your T5 exploits at the end - airports really aren’t designed for people arriving on foot- we discovered this in Pisa many years ago when we stayed just 5 mins from the airport but were told we had to get a taxi as there was no footpath access - they were right too! We ended up getting onto the railway station platforms via a level crossing and getting in that way …