Comments on: East End Desire Paths

By: Greg T

Greg T — Sat, 31 May 2025 08:21:04 +0000

I can’t remember where, but many moons ago, a new university campus was built ..
They quite deliberately, only built “paving” in front of bulidings & left the rest.
After a year, they put paved paths down on all the desire lines.
Very sensible

By: Arabella

Arabella — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:25:55 +0000

Love this

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:11:51 +0000

What a lovely term…………..”desire path”. Like the shortest distance between two newly-enthralled lovers? “Well, I just couldn’t walk all the way around the park — I could see her there, standing near the fountain, and I just HAD……………”. The rest, I will leave to your imagination.

A less romantic term, “short cut”, is how I would describe these engaging pathways. And, judging by the amount of wear, most of these are well-known, reliable, affirmed short cuts. Someone had to blaze the trail — scuffing through the grass — but then at some point it became an actual
crossing point. And now they seem like an advertisement for some auspicious best-kept-secret destination. “Hey, I wonder where that short cut leads?”.

Thanks for taking us along, GA.

By: Janice

Janice — Fri, 30 May 2025 14:48:02 +0000

Legitimised by Mowing is a short story title in waiting. Is there a “walking tour” collection in book form? We very much enjoyed the Spitalfields tour, but I think it would be fun to visit London and follow you around (on our own) using highlights from your blog posts. Thanks for brightening my day and planting thoughts in my brain on so many mornings.
Janice

By: Annie Moreton

Annie Moreton — Fri, 30 May 2025 08:47:29 +0000

Completely agree that desire paths are a triumph of the human spirit. The London Fields mystery I’d say is, like so many in Viccy Park, a triumph of runners’ single-mindedness.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 30 May 2025 08:38:43 +0000

This has to be one of my favourite posts. I feel especially compelled to veer off the paved way whenever a “Keep off the grass” sign is to be seen. Having earth beneath one’s feet is better grounding. And “desire path” sounds much more elegant than “shortcut!”

By: Bernie

Bernie — Fri, 30 May 2025 08:06:40 +0000

Irrepressible human spirit!

By: ANDY STROWMAN

ANDY STROWMAN — Fri, 30 May 2025 06:45:08 +0000

Makes me pine for the Old Ford Square where used to play football and now kids have nothing because little weird grass beds there instead . As Cat Stevens sang ,” Where do the children play ?” Andy