Just before you turn right across the canal you should see the entrance to Paradise Fields, the home of Ealing's Beavers. Worth a short detour. https://theealingbeaverproject.com/

The Eventbrite says only a few tickets left. So book early if you wish to go.

I’m trying to to get to Perivale on the 297 bus but running late. Will try and catch you up if you’re taking it easy and admiring the view at the summit. There were no tickets available yesterday for the bluebell woods but I remember going a couple of years back and they were selling them at the entrance It was however horribly busy and VERY SLOW so don’t expect a fast SWC pace!!

I’m in the bluebell woods now enjoying cakes at £2 ditto tea and coffee and no problem paying £3 on the door for seniors.

We are still at the pub

See you a bit later.

8 at the station. The weather, sunny After the stretch along the canal, with ducks and stuff, it was time to veer off the walk route, through a forbidding looking gate, to explore the beaver bit at Paradise Fields. This was an interesting diversion with lots of information boards. Would be worth incorporating into the walk. We didn’t see no beavers but we did see a badly gnawed tree. Attempts to find a circular route were unsuccessful so probably best as a quick in and out, Then it was up Mount Horsenden , Mr Tiger spurred on by the thought that at least it wasn’t Kilimanjaro. At the top, there wasn’t much of a view, unless you count Ealing Hospital, too many trees. So we went down again for a visit to the Ballot Box. Would you believe it was the pub’s last day? Closing, seemingly for good, tomorrow. As a result, there was limited fare but at least everyone got something like what they wanted. And sat in the sunny garden. 2 parted company and the remaining 6 headed for Perivale Wood.. The open day was well attended. At times the logjam ahead slowed the pace to less than that of a snail. Even slower than Mr Tiger’s. There were plenty of bluebells, perhaps a little past their best, but still plenty. (The reserve is contemplating moving the open day forward a week or two to compensate). Then it was Tearoom Time. The others gasped in amazement at the size of Mr Tigers piece of chocolate fudge cake. And you know what? They weren’t getting any of it. We sat outside in the sun and, here, a 9 th joined us. Started later but did the whole walk and the reserve At least, that’s what she said. The talk turned to AI and robotics and Mr Tiger started dozing off. Then he left. People seemed to enjoy the day. We never met walker 10 who had transport difficulties and also started late, (maybe missed us cos of the beavers?)

See my photos on the SWC what’s app group.

Unfortunately, I can't come on this walk, but at the point where you turn right across the canal, there should be a gate into Paradise Fields and the Ealing Beavers.... https://theealingbeaverproject.com/paradise-fields/

3 evening regulars on this, on a fine evening. Only residual mud to contend with along the route, more danger coming from speeding electric cycles on the canalside path and some very large assemblages of packed rubbish, from the lived-on boats moored there. We diverted into the Beaver Enclosure and ventured to where the brook crosses the path. From a map we saw later, it would be possible to get closer to the main pond where one should see some sign of the beaver's activites, if not the animals themselves. Next time... On through some meadows and up the hill. Ample light was about, which was mainly coming from the Green Park Way Ventilation Shaft worksite of HS2. It looked like one of the Boring Machines was lying about there, although I always thought these were left in the ground once they had finished their stretch? Not so, apparently: according to HS2's site, of the four TBM's that are completing the 13.5km Northolt Tunnel, TBM4 Sushila and TBM5 Caroline have already done their job, and have been/are being disassembled below ground and then lifted up. So, presumably it was parts of TBM Caroline that we saw. Later on we passed some abandoned Lime bikes on the grassy descent from the hill, then had a drink and food stop at The Ballot Box and walked the lit tarmac path back to the tube.

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ealing-beaver-project-guided-walks-and-safaris-2831239 The beaver project runs guided walks on Saturdays- see next date of 26 April. Must book. The beaver activities are nocturnal but their tree demolishon activities and dams are there for all to see if you venture further into the wetlands just off the canal tow path. This evening walk would be perfect for viewing once you know where to look. Next time?

Recommend checking before setting off. The Central Line was not working at all this morning, Saturday, and remains disrupted.

If central line is difficult you can travel to Ealing Broadway via the Elizabeth line and catch the 297 bus from outside the station forecourt to Perivale- runs every 15 mins a journey time of 11 mins. Perivale wood advance tickets have sold out online however but hopefully will sell tickets at the gate later in the afternoon. Bluebells are late flowering this year so I’m not too optimistic about their presence.

7am : Central Line showing as “good service” now but check again if you want.

8 assembled at the station (trains running fine) and 1 more met on the way to the canal. It was a mix of cloudy and sunny A lot of the morning was flat. There were wet bits, there were muddy bits and nearing lunch a climb up steps to the top of Ealing’s loftiest peak, where we met a 10 th walker. Then down we went, down the other side of the hill, down, down, down and into the Ballot Box. It is bookings only for food on Sunday. Two had and got food. Others disappeared into a park with their sammies. Drink was consumed. After lunch, there was a split between those who had tickets and those who didn’t - they’d sold out. There was a queue to get in and practically a queue all the way round. Plenty of people., mostly local families. It was a pleasant visit, with cheery volunteers shepherding us round the well designated trail. And the blue bells? Certainly plenty of them, generating more than a few oohs and ahs. They could do with another week though. There is another Open day on Thursday and next Sat. By the time the tea room was reached, Mr Tiger had almost cheered up and, in a rare moment of generosity, offered to buy a cake for the person who had bought him a cider. Then he forgot it wasn’t his and ate it. A blotty book copied.

I haven't walked this but would suspect that some stretches may be muddy and/or pathless and/or unlit. Come prepared.

I was greeted by a local SWCer who started conversation by saying it was a mad idea to post this walk in winter and darkness, what with mud and not being able to see paths and roaming wolves and bears (not quite). I though had my friend, the moon, on my side, who despite the cloud cover provided enough refracted light - together with the urban glow - so that we only ever deployed our headtorches for occasionally reading the directions or looking at the plenty info panels and maps en route. The towing path along the canal was still relatively busy with cyclists and occasional walkers, the meadows then were indeed a bit sodden but the muddy paths could be avoided by walking on the grass to their side. The paths up onto the hill were mostly hardcore or low-mud gravel/earth. Fine views were had from the top plateau, of Heathrow and out to Harrow-on-the-Hill, before we descended to the pub. The last bit before the road by the pub then was the only proper mini-mudfest. After a drink or two, we followed the tarmac path and pavement back to the tube. Local man had to admit that it wasn't that bad at all as a winter walk. And there seemed to be enough other interesting paths to make it a slightly longer route for spring/summer perhaps. 2 in mild weather.

Perhaps drop 'self-led' as it sounds cold? Re-phrase to add warmth as we want to attract, not repel, so these evening walks tempt more than a few hardened regulars. Thank you. I really appreciate you putting them on to take advantage of longer evenings. Cheers.