04/07/12 - Capital Ring Phase 9 - A walk of two halves

Distance 5.5 Miles
Geocaches - 2 out of 4 - muggles with fishing rods and canoes prevented others
Start - Greenford
End - South Kenton

Capital Ring Phase 9

Last time I was on the Capital Ring, it was the Manchester Derby at the end of April.  Seems like an age ago.

Journey to Greenford was hard work.  You cannot transport cattle in the conditions that I experienced on the Circle Line to Paddington.  There was an announcement to say it was all our fault, as someone had left a suspicious package earlier in the day resulting overcrowding.  Pick up the overline on an equally crowded train and arrive 30 minutes later.  Just as it starts raining.

After passing the home of the sizzling skillet, I pick up the path along the Paddington Canal.  After that journey, I cannot believe how little distance I have travelled.

How did 8 miles take 30 mins?

The WTF caches are back in evidence.  First one is missed, as there is a fisherman on the other side of the canal.  2nd one found.  3rd one ruined by a couple gassing at GZ.  Honestly, have these people got nothing better to do?

Then I have a stiff climb up Horsenden Hill.  Its only 84m but offers decent views over Heathrow and more limited views over the City.

Beginning to realise I am a silver fox

Drop down for some very uninsipiring walking around Sudbury.  This really is Little Poland.  We have Polish Grocers, restaurants and gangs of poles hanging around drinking out of polish lager cans on street corners.

A minor detour to pick up a cache at Sudbury Hill station and then continue through this depressing inner city ramble in rain, questioning why I am bothering.

The answer is revealed as I arrive at Harrow on the Hill.  What a delight.  Lovely architecture and stunning views over London.  Dominated by the schools, shops selling school related produce and two impressive churches.  All it needed to make it complete was a decent looking pub.  Alas, only restaurants.

There were good views of the City in the gap in the trees.

Spirits lifted, I drop down through the Harrow school playing fields, to skirt a hospital and golf complex, with Wembley coming into view.

Grass Roots Football

Arrive at South Kenton tube.  Disappointed that there doesn't appear to be anywhere for refreshment.  But on the other side of the tunnel, I find a pub that I have seen many times on the Birmingham - London approach.

Full of drunk Irish Builders

You have to stick with the London Ring - sometimes it's underwelming and often, it reveals some treasures.