Category: Grand Union

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I know it’s over…

Russell Anthony

Epilogue… So that’s it, after months of planning, wearing in the new gear and finding a block of time off work to actually do it; 149 miles of walking the Grand Union Canal is now done and this adventure is over. My banging 600 track playlist lasted all 6.5 days, I found listening to music much easier to walk to than podcasts or audiobooks.  I met a real mixture of people and, bar a worrying spell near Greenford with a group of youths, everyone I met was super friendly.  I absolutely loved getting away from it all for a while … Continue reading I know it’s over…

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Stopover points

Russell Anthony

Fortunately living in Rugby, I was collected and dropped off by my good lady for the first 3 days so that made the logistics much easier.  For the remainder of my trip I stayed at the following: White Horse Pub in Linslade (Tuesday) – £51 inc breakfast http://whitehorsebandb.co.uk/ Basic accommodation in building adjacent to a ‘locals pub’.  Mostly fast food outlets nearby.  No heating but shower and full English breakfast great!   Airbnb at the old Ovaltine Factory in Kings Langley (Wednesday) – £47 inc breakfast http://www.airbnb.co.uk Great canal side location, superb host and facilities.  I ate at the nearby … Continue reading Stopover points

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Stage 7: Yiewsley to Little Venice. 17.9 miles

Russell Anthony

The final stage! I was up and away by 7.30am this morning as it dawned on me last night that my initial calculation of 14 miles was from Bulls Bridge (3 miles down the path). I spent a good 20mins in a cold shower to reduce my shin swellings, redid my plasters, put on dry clothes and do you know what…I felt no better at all. All this meant I had to push it to get done by 3 latest and then get across town and down to pick up my son from Epsom by 6. It was pretty straightforward … Continue reading Stage 7: Yiewsley to Little Venice. 17.9 miles

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Stage 6: Kings Langley to Yiewsley. 18.4 miles

Russell Anthony

A slow start this morning on account of waiting for my pants and socks to dry at my Airbnb. Joanna, my host, left a fiver towards my cause which was awesome. My shin splints were in a bad state this morning, there were times I thought I was actually going to be sick with the pain. Fortunately I managed to whittle up a couple of walking sticks (I was a scout you see) and that seemed to help get me in a rhythm and then something magical happened – Don Henley’s ‘Boys of Summer’ popped up on my Spotify playlist … Continue reading Stage 6: Kings Langley to Yiewsley. 18.4 miles

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Stage 5: Linslade to Kings Langley. 19.4 miles

Russell Anthony

If today were a Smiths song it would definitely be ‘Heaven knows I’m miserable now’. It pissed it down all day, a few patches of sunshine but on the whole just sodding rain. I bet I looked a right picture at lunchtime taking off my fleece, socks and boots and drying them on he pub radiator! My socks really stank too! I don’t mind saying today was a slog, my shins are letting me down so I hobbled most of the 19 miles today. I looked that bad a passing canal boat even offered me a lift. I declined of … Continue reading Stage 5: Linslade to Kings Langley. 19.4 miles

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Stage 4: Stoke Bruerne to Linslade. 26.1 miles

Russell Anthony

Difficult day today, my right shin was giving me some real grief this morning and I found the concrete path walking in Milton Keynes difficult to cope with. Thankfully, despite a rather large detour around the canal due to building work, I managed to get through to lunch. I had a proper rest trying to sort my leg out with seemed to help. Some big old viaducts today, feels a bit weird crossing over an A-road 20m above on the canal! The heron was back today, definitely the same one, had the same jacket on. I was also joined by … Continue reading Stage 4: Stoke Bruerne to Linslade. 26.1 miles

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Stage 3: Braunston to Stoke Bruerne. 21.6 miles

Russell Anthony

Leapt out of bed this morning raring to go…(didn’t happen). The good news is that today I had company with the father in law joining me, and the wife and boys meeting us for lunch at 1pm. A bit more life on the canal today and most people along the way were very chatty – except for one guy wearing a captains hat. He looked like a tit though so all good. We kept a steady 3mph pace through to lunch at the Wharf at Bugbrooke. Taking my boots and socks off was possibly the second best experience of my … Continue reading Stage 3: Braunston to Stoke Bruerne. 21.6 miles

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Stage 2: Hatton Locks to Braunston. 21.5 miles

Russell Anthony

Day 2…stiff as an ironing board today. Took a long while to get moving! The sun came out too and I managed to burn my head before reaching the first checkpoint – The Moorings in Leamington Spa. It was only 5.5 miles but felt like double!! Apart from odd bloated dead animal and a heron who was definitely following me, it was a slog this morning. Fortunately my good lady met me for lunch at the Two Boats Inn at Long Itchington which was just the boost I needed. I set off again with gusto knowing I only had 10 … Continue reading Stage 2: Hatton Locks to Braunston. 21.5 miles

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Stage 1: Birmingham to Hatton. 24 miles

Russell Anthony

This seems to have come around far too quickly! With more energy snacks than a real athlete I caught the train to New Street, had the breakfast of kings (egg bap & coffee) at Pret and headed off to the start line. The first stage looped around Birmingham via Small Heath along to Catherine De Barnes. The first 12 miles were about as exciting as a Mrs Browns Boys box set so I was pleased to finally get out in the open. I did manage a quick cuppa in the weirdest cafe I’ve ever been in – a ‘local cafe … Continue reading Stage 1: Birmingham to Hatton. 24 miles