Introduction
Picking up where we left off in September, this is a walk in early December on the Capital Ring long-distance path: it covers the last part of section 12 from the official book, and the first part of section 13.
Finsbury Park
We set off across Finsbury Park, with a police helicopter circling ominously overhead for no apparent reason. After crossing the park and a main road, we took a path by the New River, which is amusing because it is neither new nor a river. (It was constructed more than three centuries ago to carry fresh water into London.)
The not-river path is along grass which, given the damp conditions of late, meant it was largely mud and rather slippery. Other than that it was pleasant (and deserted, on a Monday morning).
A large chimney opposite has the lettering ‘OCC’ - I’ve since looked it up, and it’s the Oriental Carpet Centre, a warehouse business which still operates. The chimney was built as part of the Maynards factory, where they used to make Wine Gums. The factory closed in 1998.
We crossed another main road and continued to follow the New River Path on a loop and past Stoke Newington’s East and West reservoirs, both of which are lined with new flats.
We left the reservoirs and the New River behind, passing an incredible Victorian pumping station.
Our route crossed a park then ran along Stoke Newington high street, which includes two churches (opposite each other).
We then walked through Abney Park cemetery, which is kind of incredible - slightly overgrown and with an amazing chapel in the middle.
After the cemetery we walked along minor, mainly residental roads for a bit. At one point the same street was busy with people in either orthodox Jewish, or Muslim, dress, which seemed a strange combination!
We crossed Springfield Park to join the path along the Lee Navigation.
We crossed back over the Navigation on a footbridge, walked through Millfields Park, and along a short road to finish at Clapton station.