One of my fondest memories of childhood, was wandering through Epping Forest and seeing a Jay for the first time. I was about ten then, and even now at seventy three I still have a bright clear image of that bird. Great walk as always John, more power to your ankle. Lol.
Jays are great aren't they? Believe it or not they sometimes occur here in Brixton in the allotments behind the windmill and I too remember seeing my first one when I had not long moved here. I think they are related to crow family.
Hi John , lovely walk . I liked the way you acknowledged the dead tree at the beginning by saying " this old soul has done his shift" .So respectful to these great leviathans that have given so much to life.
Thank you, John: more stirring of childhood memories of school visits to the Forest from Walthamstow and walking my neighbour's dog there for a bit of pocket money - 38 bus to the Royal Forest Hotel, then walk to Bell Common and get the 718 Green Line home - always risking the bus conductor not wanting a full-size collie on the top deck! As far as navigating goes, I always worked on the principle that as long as you knew which side of the watershed you were on, following a stream downhill would either head you towards the Roding - the Loughton direction, or towards the Lea and Waltham Abbey. Looking forward to the next walk!
Epping Forest brings back memories of summer school holidays , fishing at Hollow and Eagle ponds and swimming at the lido . I always thought there was a real beach at High Beech as well. . A truly magical forest that we are blessed to have. Lovely in the rain too John . 😀👍
Great to see High Beach John. My dad was a Forest Keeper and we lived in one of the keepers lodges in High Beach, about 250 yards from the Kings Oak. At the back of the conservation centre, behind the pub is the site of the first speedway track in the UK circa 1923 I think…… another great video John 🤓👍
Thanks John took me back to my childhood, My father knew this and took me and my brother about 1964 to high beech my word I miss this place . Glad the leg is on the mend , Keep safe, and thank you .
Thank you, John, for another trip to this magical place. In a strange bit of serendipity, last night I was watching Damon Albarn, a child of these parts, perform songs at the Stone Circle at Glastonbury based on the John Clare poem ‘Love and Memory’. They are part of his new song cycle called The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows. It was lovely to see the bit about Clare in your video
Great walk! The sound of rain on the tree canopy was relaxing. Loved it. Hope your ankle feels better soon. Rest it up. I’ve read somewhere that during WW2, People of the East End hiked it up to Epping Forest to escape the bombs, they settled there in make shift encampments.
Sitting down to a roast chicken dinner, glass of wine and a new John Rogers video. Can life get any better? I think not! Great to see you with some greenery around you once more John, albeit very damp greenery 😬👍
It doesn't matter what time of day I watch your videos, they help get me to a peaceful place. I love Epping Forest and your commentaries make me realise I hardly know it.
Always enjoy your walks in the forest almost as much as you do John I think we are drawn to the ancient forests by some ancestral memory from the distant past and this walk in the rain and gathering gloom among some old trees some of which have secumbed to time was quite magical
Ah, the REAL Epping Forest! Before this I've only ever heard of it in an early Genesis tune, 'The Battle of Epping Forest'. (Love your vids, John, keep 'em comin'! You must have walked a thousand miles, by now.)
When I was around 5 years old, my mother took me for a day out in Epping forest, I saw a strange man and asked my mum in a loud voice "is that a murderer?" - she was mortified!! Will never forget that
I can believe that..My father took me 5ys ol to high beach Epping to get me over fear of thunder storms.. after a twenty minutes walk to open clearing in the trees.. I told him that from schools day out, the worst place to be in an electrical storm is to be.. here or on a plane, QUICKEST ride home ever 😁😘😂😂😎 1975
Thanks for that, I needed a good belly laugh! One time in Sydney, my first boy was bout 4 (now 33) - we had a neighbour, a bloke with a decent sized beer gut, and chatting with him one day, my son piped up asking "Are you having a baby?" pointing at the blokes belly!
Thanks John that has brought back many memories of my childhood 10- 15 cycling and walking to high beach from whipps cross where i lived once again thank you oh by the way i'm now 73
Fascinating! 'Llyndin' - wow, how interesting. I haven't been to the forest since my Dad took us there when I was about 15. We sat outside a lovely pub in a clearing looking down a hill. No idea which pub - may well have been the King's Oak - but those were certainly the wonderful days of my life, going for random Sunday drives with my Dad.
I was at Honey Lane Plain on Saturday.Glorious peaceful day.I climbed the slope to the east and sat for hours looking out across the M25 to Waltham Abbey.Taking photos and making field recordings for an album i`m recording.It`ll be my second one dedicated to Epping Forest and the surrounding fields and lanes.The last one was The Snowbound Fields "Here,Not Here". As ever,a fabulous wander through nature and static time John.
I ended up in Kate's Cellar on Thursday evening in the rain, my first time knowingly being there. These light summer evenings in the forest are great, the hordes clear out when the car parks close at 7pm and the forest belongs to those of us who cycle or take public transport.
Brilliant video John 😁 I used to go to school in Theydon Bois, living in Theydon Garnon on a farm called “Old Tawny hall” we loved it walking all over the countryside. Excellent cheers 🍻
Here I am watching this beautiful vid again 😊 &I'll watch it again&again Over&over To the sound of GENESIS' "Battle of EPPING FOREST" on repeat; Wishing 1day I can afford to travel myself & REALLY know such mystical site on England in loco... Thanks once again SENSEI John Rogers 🖤✨🇧🇷🇬🇧
Great video John. Just what I need after a nonstop day. A program on Radio 4 a couple of weeks ago went into great detail about the biome of a forest. Apparently the trees are all connected to each other on a much deeper level than previously understood. Long tendrils of fungus in the soil connect all the forest trees who communicate with each other through them in a similar way neurones do in a brain. They even loan each other nutrients. So in some ways, a forest can be viewed as a kind of consciousness . Science is only just discovering this, but somehow I think our ancestors already instinctively knew this long ago.
Thanks Jay - my brother-in-law sent me a link to that programme but I haven't listened to it yet. Yes it is amazing the way our ancestors had a deep connection to this other realm that surrounds us
Great video! I grew up all around those areas. Had a wedding reception at the Kings Oak many years ago. I recognise all of these places even thought I don't live there anymore. It was a real trip down memory lane and I loved all the little factual snippets!
'This old soul has done its shift' - such a beautiful thing to say about a dead tree John. Thank you so much for making your epic videos, I love everyone of them....
Pleased you flagged Luke Turner’s Book. Into the woods. I think his writing style and knowledge of trees, the forest and its past was so fascinating. And your walk just jogged all his, reminded me of bits I’d forgotten. I am determined to walk there this year. So 🙏.
This was great, John. Loved the rabbit mounds. The Normans introduced them, apparently. The surname Warren denoted rabbit ownership.Life affirming. Loved it. 🇯🇪
We stayed in a youth hostel there 36 odd years ago. I remember the toilets were outside. I was about 10 and having read ' The Rats' and had heard about dead bodies being found there, I ended up wetting the bed I was too scared to go in the middle of the night. Even worse, I was on the top bunk 😖
Wonderful as always Made my first visit to Epping Forest In 1985 on a school trip. It began my lifelong love of birdwatching. Been going back ever since and eventually moved to Chingford to be closer to it. I love it but it also makes me think of the James Herbert Novels, especially ‘Lair’
Thanks John, loving your your shows for several reasons. 1.I'm a keen walker currently laid low by a broken leg myself, hence watching more UA-cam atm. 2.I'm a kiwi (living in NZ) similar age to you but lived in Leytonstone 1991-1993 then in Barking 2005, so am loving seeing those haunts again, some have changed & some haven't! Keep up the good work!
Hello John. That was a different type of walk for you. Away from the built up East End of London. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve known of Epping Forest, but I imagined it was just the name of a modern housing estate. In fact, it was a really lovely old woodland. I’d never have thought you would get lost, although without the sun and no obvious landmarks, I’m sure it’s quite easy. I look forward to seeing more walks in that area. Hope the ankle will improve steadily. Great video. Thanks I follow another vlogger called Dave Ford, who is often out in various woods with his dog called Logan. He uses a distinctive piece of music at times and it was similar to your clips. So much so that I expected to see Logan bounding past.
your videos have inspired me over the past year to get out and start walking. although some of my routes are far less scenic than yours I enjoy them none the less. My friend lives near Cockfosters and yesterday we decided to walk and just meet somewhere inbetween (I live in Loughton). Although the meeting point was far from glamorous (Southbury tube) it was a great walk and something I would never have done if not thanks to you. keep up the great work !!
Another great video, John. As with so many you produce, it nicely catches political as well as other cultural sides of the forest's history. Was out there yesterday, on a personal favourite route from Chingford to Loughton, that always seems to vary with alternative trackways. On another version of it two or three weeks ago I found myself passing Holy Innocents, which you mention in the film, shortly after convincing myself that I was utterly lost. The forest was almost completely dry yesterday and looks like becoming more so over the next few days. But as you say, it is a rich and wonderful place, whatever the weather, season, or time of day/night. Each visit has its own uniqueness. Please keep the camera rolling!
What an adventure, through dark interior forest , lovely clearings, onto rabbit mounds, and all through rain. I may buy at least one of the books you mention. how did I never stroll the woods when I lived in London ? now i am, and i might still
Farming rabbits is where we get the surname Warren from, because rabbits were kept in warrens, and not native to Britain, being brought here by the invading Normans in 1066.
Came back here for my annual summer visit to this channel, since I know summer is usually when John visits Walthamstow (my borough). Keep up the good work John.
Another lovely walk . Shame about the ankle John. The wander trial would be brilliant. Such a beautiful river too. The old fellow has done his shift 👍🏻
"These are the Ghosts of EPPING Forest Right outside your door"... THANKS SENSEI Rogers For giving this METAL Beggar in BRASIL a wonderful opportunity to know the magical place GENESIS immortalized in Song a coupla years after I was born.✊🏻✨👏🏼👏🏼🌲💚
That's spooky John. I'm doing most of that walk tomorrow, starting at Loughton but carrying on to Theydon Bois. Hope the weather is better! It's interesting how you mention your 'lack' of navigational skills. That is the very part of the forest where before covid,we used to teach nav skills to air cadets doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards. It's amazing how skills learned in a forest transpose themselves onto the peaks of Snowdonia and the Lake District. If you fancy a quick lesson, you know who to ask. 😉 BTW, do you have any views on them starting to charge for car parking in many of the forest car parks
Some people seem to be drawn and spirits buoyed by the sea and some by the forests, I’m a forest person, although loving a blustery coastal walk too 😃 but my soul is soothed by trees. Thank you for another great video, once to go to sleep to, and again with my breakfast, I wring every ounce from your lovely work. ☹️ sorry your ankle got worse, i hope a rest and maybe a cold compress helped, try a compress of plantain leaves, they are out now, mash them up and wrap to keep in place, maybe of an evening when not busy. Not the banana type thing, but the weed type plant found probably in your back garden.
I've lived most of my life in the east end and was a regular visitor to the forest in my youth, which always seemed to me to be such a magical place even though only a short bus ride away from Walthamstow Central. Perhaps I should give my old boots a good waxing and head on out there again? Oh, and I thought it about time I subscribed, too. Thank you for posting and stay well.
Hi John, many thanks for mentioning the By Our Selves film which I went on to purchase (Amazon Primevideo) and watch. Thank you for providing the context for it which enhanced my appreciation of the film. It was fascinating to watch, enigmatic, profound, gently disturbing and charming all at once, and with familiar faces I have seen in past videos of yours, and the ever talented Toby Jones. It was excellent and I'm so glad to have seen it.
that's brilliant Traci - glad you enjoyed the film, Andrew really produces a kind of magic that he's able to capture on film somehow, a unique filmmaker
I didn't realise there were proper paths all over the forest John. I stayed at the youth hostel about forty years ago and I've even had a pint in the Robin Hood. Only time I was ever picked-up by a Rolls-Royce when hitch-hiking. Maybe a bit dodgy for today's world; a lone teenager, far from home, hitch-hiking in Epping Forest at night. Sounds like a Crimewatch episode in the making but all ended well. It was quite the culture shock next morning though, walking out of the dense forest onto an UndergrounD train to central London.👍👌😁 Thanks for re-kindling some ancient memories. Cheers for now, Dougie.
thanks Little Acorns - I started the next walk in Hainault Forest as well (albeit ended in a very different environment) - great to be amongst the trees
Another great video John. I can recall several school outings to High Beach. Any thoughts on the spelling (High Beach vs High Beech)? I used to go to The Owl pub there, which you mentioned in your video. Also you mentioned the Battle of Epping Forest. There is a great song of that name by Genesis on their Selling England By The Pound album. Not sure if you're a fan but you may enjoy the lyrics to that one. Looking forward to joining you on your next walk - wherever that may be!
I have fond memories of visiting Epping Forest as a child for picnics and blackberry picking. Sadly, it was also the place where one of my best friend's brother lost his life in a tragic road traffic accident hence the video is tinged with poignancy
@@kimwesesly150 Disagree all you want ! I don't know the bald explorer,so it doesn't affect my opinion !....you could have just scrolled past....but no !
I'm sure you know John, but a lot don't is the visitor centre was the site of the first motorcycle speedway track in Britain 1929. I paid a visit a couple of years ago and if you walk around the edge of the site you can see banked earthworks which trace where the track was and you can clearly see these in the photos of the first meeting there. Excellent video John
Another wonderful walking video. Thank you!! ***If you haven't done it yet, Canterbury would be a brilliant place for one of your walks John. There must be so much hidden history there for you to reveal!
I love the fact that The Robin Hood is now a Thai restaurant… Walking in the forest in the rain is an experience for all the senses… sound, scent, touch…
Nice to see you almost back on my manor. Onwards and upwards to Honey Lane! "For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver" MKK Jnr
Love the John Clare stuff...I made an album a few years ago that was (partly) inspired by Clare, Blake & Rimbaud's wanderings...Edge Of The Orison was fabulous & a fair part of my research into it - I must check out that straw bear walk that Andrew Kotting & Sinclair did though...is it on DVD? Great work as ever, sir! Go easy with that ankle...
Remember running up and down the pillow mounds when I was not much taller than them. Sunday trips out with ma and pa :-) Wouldn't be a John Rogers video without a navigational crisis ha ha!
any chance later of doing a walk around the river Mole area...especially around the Leatherhead area, the Mole starts off near Crawley and ends up flowing into the Thames at Hampton Court...loved the rain, I know it must be difficult to film but it makes for a great video, for some reason rain brings out natures Colours... PS good boozer near by where the Mole ends up at Hampton Court, the Mitre...good Beer in the late 50s early 60s ..pretty sure it was a Charringtons House.
Great walk. Hope the ankle is ok. Sorry to have missed you at Wanstead tap this week but it was sold out however finally got a signed copy of ur book last week
Love the sound of the rain John - and the references to trees having "done their shifts" - lovely
thanks Martin
Having battled with Crohns Disease for many years, I totally enjoy the window on the outside world that you provide.... Thank you.
I think he is doing the equivalent of a public service for all of us who find it hard to get out.
Thank you for your inspiring Epping Forest videos! All of them! 🙏
Your walks in the forest lifts my spirits. Long may they continue.
That’s wonderful to hear Bryan
One of my fondest memories of childhood, was wandering through Epping Forest and seeing a Jay for the first time. I was about ten then, and even now at seventy three I still have a bright clear image of that bird. Great walk as always John, more power to your ankle. Lol.
lovely memories Michael - such a striking bird
Jays are great aren't they? Believe it or not they sometimes occur here in Brixton in the allotments behind the windmill and I too remember seeing my first one when I had not long moved here. I think they are related to crow family.
Hi John , lovely walk . I liked the way you acknowledged the dead tree at the beginning by saying " this old soul has done his shift" .So respectful to these great leviathans that have given so much to life.
Epping Forest and IKEA are my Bermuda Triangle - I always get lost there. Thanks again John for another serene Sunday video.
Dusk, heavy rain, a dark forest and the fragrance of new spring growth - magical.
Thank you, John: more stirring of childhood memories of school visits to the Forest from Walthamstow and walking my neighbour's dog there for a bit of pocket money - 38 bus to the Royal Forest Hotel, then walk to Bell Common and get the 718 Green Line home - always risking the bus conductor not wanting a full-size collie on the top deck! As far as navigating goes, I always worked on the principle that as long as you knew which side of the watershed you were on, following a stream downhill would either head you towards the Roding - the Loughton direction, or towards the Lea and Waltham Abbey. Looking forward to the next walk!
Epping Forest brings back memories of summer school holidays , fishing at Hollow and Eagle ponds and swimming at the lido . I always thought there was a real beach at High Beech as well. . A truly magical forest that we are blessed to have. Lovely in the rain too John . 😀👍
Wonderful memories Terry
@@JohnRogersWalks yes of family as you rightly said it means different things to a lot of people which is true.
Epping Forest, one of the best, long-lasting memories of England I treasure
Great to see High Beach John. My dad was a Forest Keeper and we lived in one of the keepers lodges in High Beach, about 250 yards from the Kings Oak. At the back of the conservation centre, behind the pub is the site of the first speedway track in the UK circa 1923 I think…… another great video John 🤓👍
Thanks John took me back to my childhood, My father knew this and took me and my brother about 1964 to high beech my word I miss this place . Glad the leg is on the mend ,
Keep safe, and thank you .
Thanks Dave
Thank you, John, for another trip to this magical place. In a strange bit of serendipity, last night I was watching Damon Albarn, a child of these parts, perform songs at the Stone Circle at Glastonbury based on the John Clare poem ‘Love and Memory’. They are part of his new song cycle called The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows. It was lovely to see the bit about Clare in your video
The film they made about him is well worth a watch (By Our Selves).
Great walk! The sound of rain on the tree canopy was relaxing. Loved it. Hope your ankle feels better soon. Rest it up.
I’ve read somewhere that during WW2, People of the East End hiked it up to Epping Forest to escape the bombs, they settled there in make shift encampments.
Sitting down to a roast chicken dinner, glass of wine and a new John Rogers video. Can life get any better? I think not! Great to see you with some greenery around you once more John, albeit very damp greenery 😬👍
that's a great image Tony - glad you enjoyed the video
It doesn't matter what time of day I watch your videos, they help get me to a peaceful place. I love Epping Forest and your commentaries make me realise I hardly know it.
Always enjoy your walks in the forest almost as much as you do John I think we are drawn to the ancient forests by some ancestral memory from the distant past and this walk in the rain and gathering gloom among some old trees some of which have secumbed to time was quite magical
I loved how you described the dead tree at 2.18. Actually found it quite touching.
Same! I love trees, they are sentient beings although most will not believe that or be able to get their heads round that!
Ah, the REAL Epping Forest! Before this I've only ever heard of it in an early Genesis tune, 'The Battle of Epping Forest'. (Love your vids, John, keep 'em comin'! You must have walked a thousand miles, by now.)
When I was around 5 years old, my mother took me for a day out in Epping forest, I saw a strange man and asked my mum in a loud voice "is that a murderer?" - she was mortified!! Will never forget that
I can believe that..My father took me 5ys ol to high beach Epping to get me over fear of thunder storms.. after a twenty minutes walk to open clearing in the trees.. I told him that from schools day out, the worst place to be in an electrical storm is to be.. here or on a plane, QUICKEST ride home ever 😁😘😂😂😎 1975
Shout out to year 76-79 who went "suntrap" Waltham Forest schools how to compass your way out of a forest and survival of eating clover 😛😋😁😎
Thanks for that, I needed a good belly laugh! One time in Sydney, my first boy was bout 4 (now 33) - we had a neighbour, a bloke with a decent sized beer gut, and chatting with him one day, my son piped up asking "Are you having a baby?" pointing at the blokes belly!
Another great video John. I really look forward to new ones - such a pleasure to watch!
Many thanks indeed
I find your videos the best escapism and it gives me a calming effect
Thanks John that has brought back many memories of my childhood 10- 15 cycling and walking to high beach from whipps cross where i lived once again thank you oh by the way i'm now 73
So glad you enjoyed it Barry
Fascinating! 'Llyndin' - wow, how interesting. I haven't been to the forest since my Dad took us there when I was about 15. We sat outside a lovely pub in a clearing looking down a hill. No idea which pub - may well have been the King's Oak - but those were certainly the wonderful days of my life, going for random Sunday drives with my Dad.
I was at Honey Lane Plain on Saturday.Glorious peaceful day.I climbed the slope to the east and sat for hours looking out across the M25 to Waltham Abbey.Taking photos and making field recordings for an album i`m recording.It`ll be my second one dedicated to Epping Forest and the surrounding fields and lanes.The last one was The Snowbound Fields "Here,Not Here".
As ever,a fabulous wander through nature and static time John.
that sounds amazing Stef - please do post a link of the album, I'm sure there are plenty of people here who'd be interested
I ended up in Kate's Cellar on Thursday evening in the rain, my first time knowingly being there.
These light summer evenings in the forest are great, the hordes clear out when the car parks close at 7pm and the forest belongs to those of us who cycle or take public transport.
Sounds wonderful Steve
Brilliant video John 😁 I used to go to school in Theydon Bois, living in Theydon Garnon on a farm called “Old Tawny hall” we loved it walking all over the countryside. Excellent cheers 🍻
thanks Greg
Here I am watching this beautiful vid again 😊
&I'll watch it again&again
Over&over
To the sound of GENESIS' "Battle of EPPING FOREST" on repeat;
Wishing 1day I can afford to travel myself & REALLY know such mystical site on England in loco...
Thanks once again SENSEI John Rogers 🖤✨🇧🇷🇬🇧
Thanks for taking us on this very invigorating walk in Epping Forest John! Another elevator of my mood as we ease our way out of quarantine!
So many memories of Epping Forest. John, you are a magician!
Great video John. Just what I need after a nonstop day. A program on Radio 4 a couple of weeks ago went into great detail about the biome of a forest. Apparently the trees are all connected to each other on a much deeper level than previously understood. Long tendrils of fungus in the soil connect all the forest trees who communicate with each other through them in a similar way neurones do in a brain. They even loan each other nutrients. So in some ways, a forest can be viewed as a kind of consciousness . Science is only just discovering this, but somehow I think our ancestors already instinctively knew this long ago.
Thanks Jay - my brother-in-law sent me a link to that programme but I haven't listened to it yet. Yes it is amazing the way our ancestors had a deep connection to this other realm that surrounds us
How interesting, thanks for sharing.
@@JohnRogersWalks it makes you wonder how they knew doesn’t it.
@@tracik1277 I’ll try and find the link for you today Traci.
@@StarWarsJay Sweet, thanks!
Lovely walk again, thank you. Glad to see you venturing back out into wilder spaces.
many thanks Ridgely it was great to get out there
Here early been looking forward to the video all day thanks for the video John 👍
Ditto.
@@quickclipsbyjmj it just makes Sunday a whole lot better
Thanks Michael- hope you enjoyed it
@@JohnRogersWalks I loved it thank you hope you had a great weekend
Great decission to come back to the people's forest John!
Great video! I grew up all around those areas. Had a wedding reception at the Kings Oak many years ago. I recognise all of these places even thought I don't live there anymore. It was a real trip down memory lane and I loved all the little factual snippets!
'This old soul has done its shift' - such a beautiful thing to say about a dead tree John. Thank you so much for making your epic videos, I love everyone of them....
Thanks Andrew
Pleased you flagged Luke Turner’s Book. Into the woods. I think his writing style and knowledge of trees, the forest and its past was so fascinating. And your walk just jogged all his, reminded me of bits I’d forgotten. I am determined to walk there this year. So 🙏.
This was great, John. Loved the rabbit mounds. The Normans introduced them, apparently. The surname Warren denoted rabbit ownership.Life affirming. Loved it. 🇯🇪
Thanks for another lovely ramble with added scenic detours⭐️
We stayed in a youth hostel there 36 odd years ago. I remember the toilets were outside. I was about 10 and having read ' The Rats' and had heard about dead bodies being found there, I ended up wetting the bed I was too scared to go in the middle of the night. Even worse, I was on the top bunk 😖
Wonderful as always Made my first visit to Epping Forest In 1985 on a school trip. It began my lifelong love of birdwatching. Been going back ever since and eventually moved to Chingford to be closer to it. I love it but it also makes me think of the James Herbert Novels, especially ‘Lair’
superb walk John so well presented. hope the ankle gets better. best regards
Many thanks- just finished a 15-mile walk so it’s getting there
Thanks John, loving your your shows for several reasons. 1.I'm a keen walker currently laid low by a broken leg myself, hence watching more UA-cam atm. 2.I'm a kiwi (living in NZ) similar age to you but lived in Leytonstone 1991-1993 then in Barking 2005, so am loving seeing those haunts again, some have changed & some haven't! Keep up the good work!
thanks Stu - still quite a few Kiwis living in Leytonstone
In the early 1970's I used to have the "hots" for a girl who lived in Thedon Bois on the eastern edge of the forest. Ah such memories.
Must have missed this one. As always great video John. There's something nice about walking in the rain...it makes getting home and dry all the better
Hello John. That was a different type of walk for you. Away from the built up East End of London. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve known of Epping Forest, but I imagined it was just the name of a modern housing estate. In fact, it was a really lovely old woodland. I’d never have thought you would get lost, although without the sun and no obvious landmarks, I’m sure it’s quite easy. I look forward to seeing more walks in that area. Hope the ankle will improve steadily. Great video. Thanks
I follow another vlogger called Dave Ford, who is often out in various woods with his dog called Logan. He uses a distinctive piece of music at times and it was similar to your clips. So much so that I expected to see Logan bounding past.
Thank you John, another beautiful and interesting video of Epping forest.
thanks Ron
I always enjoy John's walks.
I don't know much about the London environs, but with every view I'm learning.
What you are watching is in county of Essex not London, look at map, only administer by city of london
your videos have inspired me over the past year to get out and start walking. although some of my routes are far less scenic than yours I enjoy them none the less. My friend lives near Cockfosters and yesterday we decided to walk and just meet somewhere inbetween (I live in Loughton). Although the meeting point was far from glamorous (Southbury tube) it was a great walk and something I would never have done if not thanks to you. keep up the great work !!
i really enjoy the forest walks as much as the river walks, john! thanks once again from this west canadian! 😊
well presented enjoyed very much you cut it fine with the daylight walking in the forest
Never been, but you have inspired me John...will get there this summer- another epic post, many thanks!
Another great video, John. As with so many you produce, it nicely catches political as well as other cultural sides of the forest's history. Was out there yesterday, on a personal favourite route from Chingford to Loughton, that always seems to vary with alternative trackways. On another version of it two or three weeks ago I found myself passing Holy Innocents, which you mention in the film, shortly after convincing myself that I was utterly lost. The forest was almost completely dry yesterday and looks like becoming more so over the next few days. But as you say, it is a rich and wonderful place, whatever the weather, season, or time of day/night. Each visit has its own uniqueness. Please keep the camera rolling!
What an adventure, through dark interior forest , lovely clearings, onto rabbit mounds, and all through rain. I may buy at least one of the books you mention. how did I never stroll the woods when I lived in London ? now i am, and i might still
Farming rabbits is where we get the surname Warren from, because rabbits were kept in warrens, and not native to Britain, being brought here by the invading Normans in 1066.
Another beautiful and evocative video - thanks John 👍
Came back here for my annual summer visit to this channel, since I know summer is usually when John visits Walthamstow (my borough). Keep up the good work John.
Many thanks
Another lovely walk . Shame about the ankle John. The wander trial would be brilliant. Such a beautiful river too. The old fellow has done his shift 👍🏻
"These are the Ghosts of EPPING Forest
Right outside your door"...
THANKS SENSEI Rogers
For giving this METAL Beggar in BRASIL a wonderful opportunity to know the magical place GENESIS immortalized in Song a coupla years after I was born.✊🏻✨👏🏼👏🏼🌲💚
Evening John,i really enjoy sunday evenings,joining you along your really interesting walks thanks 👍🏼
Evening Julie - so glad to be part of your Sunday
That's spooky John. I'm doing most of that walk tomorrow, starting at Loughton but carrying on to Theydon Bois. Hope the weather is better! It's interesting how you mention your 'lack' of navigational skills. That is the very part of the forest where before covid,we used to teach nav skills to air cadets doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards. It's amazing how skills learned in a forest transpose themselves onto the peaks of Snowdonia and the Lake District. If you fancy a quick lesson, you know who to ask. 😉 BTW, do you have any views on them starting to charge for car parking in many of the forest car parks
Another great forest video, John. Sometimes you follow the path, other times the path takes you where it wants you to go. All the best.
Some people seem to be drawn and spirits buoyed by the sea and some by the forests, I’m a forest person, although loving a blustery coastal walk too 😃 but my soul is soothed by trees.
Thank you for another great video, once to go to sleep to, and again with my breakfast, I wring every ounce from your lovely work. ☹️ sorry your ankle got worse, i hope a rest and maybe a cold compress helped, try a compress of plantain leaves, they are out now, mash them up and wrap to keep in place, maybe of an evening when not busy. Not the banana type thing, but the weed type plant found probably in your back garden.
I've lived most of my life in the east end and was a regular visitor to the forest in my youth, which always seemed to me to be such a magical place even though only a short bus ride away from Walthamstow Central. Perhaps I should give my old boots a good waxing and head on out there again? Oh, and I thought it about time I subscribed, too. Thank you for posting and stay well.
This was a cracking watch! Loved every part as I'm sitting at work bored, but your walks always put a smile on my face 🙂😊
that's wonderful Imran - thanks
Hello there 👋 We live near Epping Forest. Lots of rabbits, dears and even cattle in some parts of it. It's lovely. Thanks a lot 👍
Hi John, many thanks for mentioning the By Our Selves film which I went on to purchase (Amazon Primevideo) and watch. Thank you for providing the context for it which enhanced my appreciation of the film. It was fascinating to watch, enigmatic, profound, gently disturbing and charming all at once, and with familiar faces I have seen in past videos of yours, and the ever talented Toby Jones. It was excellent and I'm so glad to have seen it.
that's brilliant Traci - glad you enjoyed the film, Andrew really produces a kind of magic that he's able to capture on film somehow, a unique filmmaker
Wonderful John. Cant beat a walk in epping. Sorry about the ankle though, hope it heals soon. Bob.
thanks Bob
Just beautiful. Wonderful 25 minutes of woodland❤🌳🌲
Another wonderful video much enjoyed, thankyou John !
Fantastic, loved this one. Thanks
Thanks Cyprus Insight
I didn't realise there were proper paths all over the forest John. I stayed at the youth hostel about forty years ago and I've even had a pint in the Robin Hood. Only time I was ever picked-up by a Rolls-Royce when hitch-hiking. Maybe a bit dodgy for today's world; a lone teenager, far from home, hitch-hiking in Epping Forest at night. Sounds like a Crimewatch episode in the making but all ended well.
It was quite the culture shock next morning though, walking out of the dense forest onto an UndergrounD train to central London.👍👌😁
Thanks for re-kindling some ancient memories.
Cheers for now,
Dougie.
Great work John, good to see you back in the woods.
thanks Little Acorns - I started the next walk in Hainault Forest as well (albeit ended in a very different environment) - great to be amongst the trees
Another great video John.
I can recall several school outings to High Beach. Any thoughts on the spelling (High Beach vs High Beech)?
I used to go to The Owl pub there, which you mentioned in your video.
Also you mentioned the Battle of Epping Forest. There is a great song of that name by Genesis on their Selling England By The Pound album. Not sure if you're a fan but you may enjoy the lyrics to that one.
Looking forward to joining you on your next walk - wherever that may be!
I have fond memories of visiting Epping Forest as a child for picnics and blackberry picking. Sadly, it was also the place where one of my best friend's brother lost his life in a tragic road traffic accident hence the video is tinged with poignancy
Lovely walk John,despite the inclement weather and hope you didn't get too wet!!!
A great forest walk, John. Many thanks!
thanks Ashley
I love Epping forest 😊...Also love the owl pub,even though not been for a while.
I have to disagree the owl spot is not the place, the pub next to it is where its atom and the bald explorer go there often
@@kimwesesly150 Disagree all you want ! I don't know the bald explorer,so it doesn't affect my opinion !....you could have just scrolled past....but no !
@@mikethedigitaldoctorjarvis I was just offering my opinion as I thought it might be helpful, I apologisee if it came off as rude !!!
@@kimwesesly150 Ok 😊...that's fine,just i tip,try not to start off with "i disagree"....i will try the one next to the owl when i'm down next.
@@mikethedigitaldoctorjarvis ok great, let me know when you're there and we can grab a beer! I love meeting new friends
hi mate, found your channel a couple of weeks ago and cant stop watching them. top stuff if you dont mind me saying so.
Once you start you cannot stop! Welcome!
What an ace walk thanks John
Love your walks John,it takes me back to when i lived over in Walthamstow.
I'm sure you know John, but a lot don't is the visitor centre was the site of the first motorcycle speedway track in Britain 1929. I paid a visit a couple of years ago and if you walk around the edge of the site you can see banked earthworks which trace where the track was and you can clearly see these in the photos of the first meeting there. Excellent video John
so many memories.... love the bird songs on your walk.
Miss epping forest
Haunted always used to go there for fun as kids❤ thanks for sharing also near High beach
Another wonderful walking video. Thank you!!
***If you haven't done it yet, Canterbury would be a brilliant place for one of your walks John.
There must be so much hidden history there for you to reveal!
great idea Rottie
I love the fact that The Robin Hood is now a Thai restaurant…
Walking in the forest in the rain is an experience for all the senses… sound, scent, touch…
I do love Epping Forest
I love this
Nice to see you almost back on my manor. Onwards and upwards to Honey Lane!
"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver"
MKK Jnr
thanks Paul - I need to go and witness these strange goings on at Ambresbury Banks you mentioned
Love the John Clare stuff...I made an album a few years ago that was (partly) inspired by Clare, Blake & Rimbaud's wanderings...Edge Of The Orison was fabulous & a fair part of my research into it - I must check out that straw bear walk that Andrew Kotting & Sinclair did though...is it on DVD? Great work as ever, sir! Go easy with that ankle...
If you mean the film they made By Our Selves, I can highly recommend it, I just watched it on Amazon Prime video.
@@tracik1277 Yes, that's the one! Thanks, Traci...
Yay hi John we love our Sunday Evening Stroll xxx
Glad you enjoyed it Morrigan
Nice Video, Thanks John
"This old soul has done its shift." What a wonderful description.
Ah the mind is willing but the body is weak, another great walk keep it up as long as you can.
Great stuff. I am a walker but have no scene of direction. If you like walking it becomes an adventure.
Remember running up and down the pillow mounds when I was not much taller than them. Sunday trips out with ma and pa :-) Wouldn't be a John Rogers video without a navigational crisis ha ha!
any chance later of doing a walk around the river Mole area...especially around the Leatherhead area, the Mole starts off near Crawley and ends up flowing into the Thames at Hampton Court...loved the rain, I know it must be difficult to film but it makes for a great video, for some reason rain brings out natures Colours... PS good boozer near by where the Mole ends up at Hampton Court, the Mitre...good Beer in the late 50s early 60s ..pretty sure it was a Charringtons House.
19th February 1928 the first motorcycle speedway meeting in UK took place at Kings Oak , High beach attended by 15000 curious onlookers 👍
Thanks for that Grant - I remember hearing that story the only time I’ve ever driven through the forest
You could still see part of the track when I was last there in the 80’s
Great walk. Hope the ankle is ok. Sorry to have missed you at Wanstead tap this week but it was sold out however finally got a signed copy of ur book last week