I have a bad habit. During the work week I don’t have a lot of access to natural light. I stare jealously at the sunshine that’s trying to peak through the cloudy skylights and wish I was outside. I savor my walk to and from the tube just because that’s the majority of the time I get outside. But then, on the weekend I’m tired and lazy and all I want to do is be un-showered in my pajamas at home. It’s a bad habit.

So this weekend, I was doing just that and relaxing when the sun shone through the window and mocked my lethargy. Go outside, said the voice in my head, weekday Mariel will be so mad if you squander this day. Fine, true, yes, let’s go outside, I said to myself. So I Googled “things to do in Islington,” because that’s the area where I live and I found the New River Walk. I put on my flip flops and went to enjoy the walk. Side note: flip flops was a terrible idea! It was the first time I’d worn them for the season and I wore them for a long walk and now my feet are all cut up. Sigh, rookie mistake.

I was drawn to the New River Walk because I’d be able to go near some water while staying close to home. The walk is part of a larger path, and it was originally an aqueduct (from 1613) that brought water from Hertfordshire to North London. If you’re curious, you can read about the whole path here.

What I love about this park, and actually a lot of parks in London, is that it’s a place to go where you feel like you’re outside of the city. London is always full and bustling and sometimes that’s overwhelming. It’s wonderful to find a place where you can see ducks splashing in the water, walk under gorgeous hanging swamp cypress trees, and feel the sun on your face. It was truly lovely. Now I hope you’re enjoying the pictures and wistfully sighing while you’re inside at work (like me).

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