Brief journeys - my daily commute

I live in the heart of one of the most industrialised cities in Europe. At least, these days the economy is based on service industries, retail and tourism, but it's a city that was described in the 18th century as "the first manufacturing city in the world". Situated just south of the place recognised as the home of the Industrial Revolution, heavy industry was at the centre of the economy here.

In the 1760's a vast canal network was developed, which supported and aided the city's industrial growth by providing a transport system for raw materials and manufactured goods. Apparently there are more waterways here than in Venice!

Now, centuries later, I live near one of those same canal systems in the very centre of the city and walk along those same routes that the canalboats travelled to get to work everyday.

Door to door, it takes me about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace and less than 10 if I've dawdled around at home a fraction too long and need to speed it up a bit. For most of my working life, I have commuted by road and rail for an average of an hour or more each way. So this one of the things I am daily grateful for in my current lifestyle... I walk to work. I love that I can walk to work! It's good for me and it's good for the environment. What's not to love?

Over the past 15 years or so, massive regeneration has taken place in the city centre and the 18th and 19th century warehouses and factories along the waterfront have been converted into residential units, offices, shops and restaurants. There are new developments too but somehow the historical character of the place has been retained.

This is my route:I live just behind that Mailbox sign and cross the bridge to walk along the bank in the foreground. The Mailbox was once the central sorting and dispatch centre for Royal Mail. Now it's the home of the BBC regional studios and offices, luxury apartments (I don't live in one of those), a couple of chic hotels, and a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants.

Lots of residential and tourist narrowboats moor along the canals.

Newer buildings on the left...

This statue is one of many visual gems tucked in along the canal routes and is one of my favourites, just off Waterfront Way.

Beautiful big tree that hangs over the path and, opposite it, overhanging ivy against one of the original canal walls.

Nearly there. I go up the stairs on the right - back to street level - and my office is less than 2 minutes on from here.

I think it's a lovely route and considering where it is, not too removed from nature. The seasons ring the changes and I love the juxtaposition of foliage, water and urban features. Also, there are lots of birds that live on, or regularly visit, the canals including geese, ducks, gulls and swans. I'm not a city girl at heart, but I reckon that if I am living in a city, I like to live right in the city. These little reminders of nature just help to soften the edges and make it somewhere I am happy (for the most part) to be.

The path continues on under the bridge towards the University and beyond to the home of Cadbury's chocolate... But perhaps that's a journey we can take another day? You'd be very welcome to join me!