Sunday 19th February 2023
Report written by Madhan
The aim of Slow Ways is to identify safe(1), accessible(2), and relaxing(3) walking routes between urban areas.
We planned to cover the Ealchi route 2 which starts at Ealing broadway and ends at Turnham Green underground station.
Emily was the first and early to arrive at the station to witness the beautiful Piano concert which we missed. The other Emily aka Milly and Jen along with a 4 legged GoodGymer Cas
were the next batch to arrive. Madhan, Kash, Sevan, and Mike arrived one after other.
Sevan debriefed about the mission and we started the journey. A few minutes later Liv joined us on the way. The weather was nice and sunny with occasional chilly winds. The walking pace was more relaxed and everyone had a nice chit-chat along the way. Mike, Milly, and a tail runner(Cas) were leading the walk, and Sevan and Emily took the role of the tail runner. Sevan/Emily ensured we covered (1) and (2) of the mission by taking pictures at regular intervals along the way where the rest of the group is focused on covering (3).
We took a short break in Gunnersbery park and took a photception. We exited through the west side of the park which for me felt like an exit from Jurassic park. Sevan and Kash checked the maps once in a while and guided us on the correct route. A fearsome good boy was declaring the territory when we reached the Turnham green park. T-Rex in Jurassic park was all that I could think of.
We then crossed a narrow path which brought a wide grin in all our faces. Some cute exhibits by the FairyLand and Nursery school melted our hearts. There was a volcano and yes, there are four Dinosaurs in that. I was surprised that the Jurassic theme continued, only when I was writing this report. We completed 98% of our route by that time. We then reached the endpoint in few minutes and it's time for selfies. I heard someone was looking for a goodgymer with long hands(to take a groupie) and I pointed to Mike. Mike and Jen posed as Trex to show that they have short hands.
Madhan was lost in thoughts at the return of dinosaurs and had to take a moment and pressed pause...
Ok where was I, yeah. The groupie part. Kash crossed the road and took a group photo. I then took my camera out and was checking if something was on my hair. Suddenly everyone aligned for a group pic, thinking I'm taking a groupie. I then acted cool and clicked a few pics. Then we ended the mission with a nice coffee break at..... Chotto matte
I feel like I'm missing something.... big.
Before the selfie moment near Turnham Green station, we crossed the Chiswick cheese market. Some of us couldn't resist the temptation and few of us tasted free tasters. And for the next few minutes all I talked about was the cheese. It sure did increase the appetite of myself and others as it was nearing the lunchtime anyway. After the well deserved coffee break, Emily, Milly and Jen went back to cheese market and everyone parted away.
Cas was calm throughout the walk. Pooped twice and had a snack and did some water trick on the way. She attracted fellow doggos on the way. Smol kids and big adults are not an exception as well. She was a 'catch'
Slow Ways is an initiative to create a national network of walking routes connecting all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages. Using existing paths, ways, trails and roads, people can use Slow Ways routes to walk or wheel between neighbouring settlements, and combine them to create longer distance trips. It’s designed to make it easier for people to imagine, plan and go on walking journeys. There are currently over 7,000 Slow Ways stretching for over 100,000km. This network of routes was created by 700 volunteers during the Spring 2020 lockdown, creating a unique Slow Ways map in the process.
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