National Grade: Moderate  Distance: 13.9 mi / 22.4km  Leader: Paul E. Date: Sun May 10th 2026

It is not often that participants in our walks accurately reflect the true diversity of the population of north-west London so we were delighted to welcome a number of walkers on Sunday whose age and ethnicity did exactly that. They included a visitor from Mumbai, a young man enjoying his first taster walk in preparation for the Peak district and a couple of young ladies planning to hike in Peru. While the towpath of the Grand Union canal and Black Park would not be the first choice for altitude training what Paul's walk lacked in elevation it made up in both speed and length. At 14 miles this was the longest walk to feature in our programme for many a day and our young visitors set a smart pace which did not falter one jot from start to finish! Paul managed to find plenty of wild flowers and hedgerows laden with hawthorn to remind us that spring has sprung but the visual highlights were undoubtedly the towering  redwood trees in Black Park, the stunning azaleas in Langley Park and the distant view of Windsor castle from the Temple Gardens and of Langley mansion across the lake. Paul was considerate enough to stop for tea at the Iver  Costa where some indulged in coffee and armchairs before our return to Uxbridge. Many thanks to Paul for a walk with a difference so close to home.

Report by:  Barbara MacDonald