One Hundred and Thirteenth Doodle - The Parkland Walk

Don't try to draw maps in the pub when you've had a few ciders...

If you live in North London and you haven't trotted along the Parkland Walk of a Sunday afternoon...well then, you blimmin' well should! Do please refer to my most excellent and precise map of the walk above, created in a cosy Highgate pub after indulging in a drink or two. As you can see it is most accurate. If you INSIST on seeing a 'proper' version (rude) with more information, then visit parkland-walk.org

The Spriggan sculpture by Marilyn Collins

The walk, following an old railway line that ran from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, is a truly wonderful way of getting out of London for a bit, without actually leaving London. I know right, deep man.

Starting from the park itself, we pottered along the walk and really enjoyed the relative quiet, the abundance of nature and the other relaxed people we encountered along the way. Runners, dog walkers and families all populate the walk, and between us my other half and I rambled along, remarking to one another our youthful joy in not being out doing exercise, not having the responsibility of a family, and not having to pick up dog poop. Bliss. 

Quite a few of the bridges and walls are decorated with ever changing graffiti

As we are both arty geeks, we especially loved the sculpture of the Spriggan and the rad graffiti dotted along the way. The Spriggan genuinely freaked me out at first, especially as the feller said 'Watch out above you' in quite a serious tone as we walked by it, and I briefly cacked myself. But never fear; I regained my composure fairly quickly and gave said feller a withering look. While he laughed. The git. 

Moi avec la graffiti (I know right, multi lingual skillz...)

As it was a fairly chilly winters day, obviously we had to stop along the way for a bevvie or two to warm the cockles. At Crouch End we admired the old Victorian station and platforms before clambering back to the main road and ducking into the Railway Tavern. Well, you have to if you're walking along the old railway line don't you?

The Railway Tavern in Crouch End

Further along our trek (it's a trek to us ok) we reached Highgate, where the other half got very excited about the old railway tunnels that are now filled with bats. Oh joy. Thankfully they are safely fenced off, as the bats are not keen on men in their mid 20's galavanting in and ruining a good nights (well, days) sleep. Thank goodness. Here the Parkland Walk actually ends, though don't worry- it does start again further down Muswell Hill Road and carries on to Ally Pally.

The Woodman in Highgate

Alas, in the Woodman pub at Highgate is where our walk ended for the day. We had planned to find where the path begins once more and continue on to Alexandra Palace, but it was getting dark and we fancied being at home on the sofa instead of down an unlit, cold, tree shrouded walk way!

Perhaps we shall go back soon and finish the end of the walk, so do keep your beady eyes peeled.....(god, so mysterious.)