The Grand Union Canal is often overlooked by Londoners. It doesn't run through the trendiest parts of town and parts of it look kind of neglected and rubbish-filled, especially in the winter months. But it's a quietly gorgeous body of water, running from London to Birmingham and dotted with barges and houseboats all the way along. You might not use it as a transport link the way you would some more central canals but for a solitary walk just for a walk's sake there's nowhere finer. Head west from Boston Manor towards Brentford and you'll pass gorgeous bridges, muddy rabbit-filled fields, cats sleeping on top of potplant-covered long boats and almost no people at all. If you make it all the way to Brentford, you'll pass through disused shipping sheds that open out onto a sparkling little harbour where you can sit in the sun and be bothered by no one.
Brydie is an Australian writer and performer living in London and she complains exactly the same amount about the weather as every other Australian living in London. Yes, that is her natural lip colour, no, she will not be taking any further questions at this time.