Walked from Aldgate in the City of London to Kings Cross this morning. Roughly an hour so I guess it must be around three miles. Could have made it a little quicker but I kept stopping to take photos. Also I waited for the lights to go green at most of the pedestrian crossings whereas the “locals” were just going ahead and crossing when it looked safe to do so.
You notice an awful lot more when walking. I noted that most people walking in the same direction as me were moving faster than I was. The majority of walkers seemed to be coming towards me, the sea parting as they approached. It’s quite a dangerous place is the city. The walkers divided into three categories: those with headphones, those staring into their phones and those simply focussed on getting to their place of work. The first two categories were the ones in danger I reckon.
It also looks a bit dodgy for cyclists. This group really needs to have all their senses switched on.
You pass some really historic names en route to Kings Cross, at least whilst in the City. I noted the Bank of England, the Old Bailey, Bow Church, Hatton Garden to name but a few. Also those are the only ones I remember 🙂
The route is pretty straightforward. Just two straight lines really. The first took you along classic names: Aldgate, Leadenhall Street, Cornhill, Poultry, Cheapside and then the A40 (!!!) to Chancery Lane tube. Opulent streets, initially, filled with expensive shops. Barker and Church shoe shops side by side I remember. Wouldn’t have made much sense to do the walk in their expensive shoes.
At Chancery Lane you turn right and follow the Grays Inn Road all the way to Kings Cross. The turn marks quite a change in the scenery. Posh shops make way for more run down buildings and there are one or two stretches where the number of pedestrians dwindles – probably the furthest away from the tube stations. The International Centre of Excellence in Dentistry looked extremely dowdy and certainly didn’t project an image of excellence.
As you approach Kings Cross you also encounter the first zebra crossings. Very refreshing after having to wait at a large number of controlled pedestrian crossings en route.
It felt good arriving at the station. An appropriate effort as part of the training for the Coast to Coast. I need to be able to sustain the walking all day and over rough terrain but this is a good start.
ttfn