Treacherous raised path that feels like it could crumble into the marsh at any point. Leave your pogo stick at home.

Grim's Dyke, Stanmore, London

Once an important Roman Road linking London to the south coast - now a dog-walkers track

As you exit Upminster Bridge tube station, the information board for the London Loop is present.

One reason why photographing the Tube is difficult. The London Outer Orbital Path crosses the Central Line north of Buckhurst Hill Station on a bridge more akin to Alcatraz. And God alone knows how a shoe got up there! Some questions are best left unanswered....

Heading over the Ingrebourne River with this bird being rather content hiding in the shade.

Enchanting old lane, enclosed by trees. Despite being near a big housing estate, it felt like no one ever came this way. And if they did, they didn't drop litter. Or perhaps someone was very diligent at keeping it litter free.

Coy Carp Pub, Harefield.

More information about my Urban, Rural and Coastal Wanderings can be found on my "In Search of Space" blog at www.dakotaboo-in-search-of-space.blogspot.com/

1 Jan 2012. the first stage of the plan to walk the London Outer Orbital Path.

Read more about my London LOOP walk at ramblingman.org.uk/walks/london-loop

Hotel near Grim's Dyke.

More information about my Urban, Rural and Coastal Wanderings can be found on my "In Search of Space" blog at www.dakotaboo-in-search-of-space.blogspot.com/

Beech Hill Lake (Jack's Lake), Barnet, London

A massive water pump, raised several feet off the ground, can be found in the middle of Bushy Park near the Chestnut Drive.

I had the briefest of encounters with the Lea Navigation at Enfield Lock. The LOOP heads almost straight across the canal here, leaving little room for exploration. I was a bit disappointed after the earlier section of the LOOP along the Grand Union Canal.

Rainham railway station in Essex (not to be confused with a station of the same name in Kent) is in London Fare Zone 6, and runs parallel to the High Speed 1 line for Eurostar and SouthEastern Highspeed train. C2C trains run from Fenchurch Street to Grays via this station.

The bike racks here are for those exploring Rainham Marshes with the station entrance just behind.

Five Arch Bridge, Foots Cray Meadows, London

A number of these signs appeared along the Thames here by the marshes - all pirate related and very nicely done. You could track the whole lot on a trail too, I guess.

1 Jan 2012. the first stage of the plan to walk the London Outer Orbital Path.

Woodland Gardens, Bushy Park, Hampton, London

Walking the London LOOP. Enfield Lock to Chigwell.

On a gorgeous day like today, Upminster Windmill looks stunning, even during its refurbishment. The visitors centre is just visible to the far left.

Find out more at the Friends of Upminster Windmill site:

www.upminsterwindmill.org/

Great place to sit and watch planes fly (only just) overhead. And yet another pub that claims associations with Dick Turpin.

Once home to Henry VIII's hunting ground, in the 1990s there was an attempt to turn this into a golf course of all things. It remains a park.

Lovely mural on the wall here in Rainham village.

Speckled Wood Butterfly, Colne Valley Regional Park, Uxbridge, London

Thanks to David Oden for this photo.

1 Jan 2012. the first stage of the plan to walk the London Outer Orbital Path.

On the London Loop walk.

Normally, you can get the C2C trains back to Central London from here, but engineering works were on this weekend, so rail replacement bus instead!

Grayling Butterfly (I think), Colne Valley Regional Park, Uxbridge, London

Happy Valley, Coulsdon, London

1 Jan 2012. the first stage of the plan to walk the London Outer Orbital Path.

London Loop: Cockfosters to Harold Wood

Another section of the London Outer Orbital pathway. Elstree to Hih Barnet. Dec 31 2015

A proper Modernist home in the backstreets of Twickenham

William Gilbert's ornamental lake

12th Century Clattern Bridge over River Hogsmill, Kingston-Upon Thames, London

Grand Union Canal, near Harefield.

More information about my Urban, Rural and Coastal Wanderings can be found on my "In Search of Space" blog at www.dakotaboo-in-search-of-space.blogspot.com/