Boating on Hollow Pond

Today we had all sorts of family plans lined up - go to the Apple Day at Copped Hall, maybe put in a bit of pick-your-own time at Parkside Farm or just get the kids out on their bikes. In the end though none of these ideas came to fruition; instead we braved the Edmonton Ikea to get a simple desk and chair for Joshua. Yeah we're really pushing the boat out there aren't we?

That said we did take a look at the A to Z and decide that maybe a trip out to Epping Forest would be rather nice given that the sun had come out for the late afternoon. However rather than head north to the main forest we decided to turn south and investigate the corridor of green that pushes south into the great metropolis; more by luck than judgement then we ended up at Leyton Flats. Doesn't sound too inspiring does it and certainly there was some evidence of, shall we say, 'nocturnal activity' scattered around - and by that I don't mean foxes. Nevertheless the kids loved the untamed, rolling and wooded nature of the ex-gravel pits and they liked it even more when they spotted Hollow Pond:

Edwardian country living?

Sure it doesn't look exactly like this a hundred years on but it's surprising just how recognisable this picture is down to the little boat-house and the boats themselves. With one look at the water Joshua was off and paddling (what a little duck he is!) with Christina just a few steps behind. Luckily for us the kiosk was still open and so we availed ourselves of some life-jackets and set off for a romantic float around the lake. Almost against expectations we were immediately transported from our busy, urban surroundings and taken to a place with a slower pace (for an hour at least).

Looking out over the lake it just isn't like you're in London

As it happens an hour was about right as it left just enough time for a stroll around the lake picking up acorns and playing with friendly dogs - there were plenty of both - before getting ever so slightly lost. Not that you can ever get properly lost in London; it's hardly the Yorkshire moors is it? So there was no need to panic that we wouldn't make it back to the car before dark!