Every outdoor seating area in the public realm is littered with beer bottles and cans, laughing gas canisters and other drug paraphernalia.

Probably not what local homebuyers here signed up for with the marketing lure of “canalside living”.

A round picnic table with three glass bottles is set in a grassy area near a tree and adjacent to a street with parked cars and a brick building with balconies.A round picnic table with empty bottles is set on a grassy area near a canal and surrounded by trees.A playground with wooden structures and benches is set in a grassy area with nearby trees and parked cars.

Morning walk.

Auto-generated description: A small blue and white boat named Rainy Day is moored on a tranquil canal lined with trees and other moored boats.

Sat on a tree stump for a few minutes enjoying the sunshine, breeze, and sights and sounds by the canal.

What a load of rubbish.

A polluted canal is filled with debris and surrounded by trees and buildings.

Morning walk.

The canal was unusually clean and calm in the sun.

Auto-generated description: A canal lock with surrounding buildings and trees is reflected in calm water.

I hadn’t noticed the little outhouse in the trees before.

Auto-generated description: A peaceful canal scene features boats docked along the waterway, flanked by leafless trees under a clear blue sky.

This Egyptian Goose wasn’t thrilled to see me and looked terrified as it waddled off giving me the beady eye.

Auto-generated description: A duck stands on a grassy path next to a pond with another duck swimming in the background.

It’s a boat.

Auto-generated description: A small boat is docked by a calm river, reflecting in the water against a backdrop of trees and a fence.

Morning walk on the school run.

Auto-generated description: A narrowboat with a red and green exterior is moored along a tree-lined canal path on a clear day. Auto-generated description: A narrowboat is moored along a calm canal, flanked by a walking path, trees, and houses under a clear blue sky. Auto-generated description: Abstract graffiti art featuring bold, blue and black lines covers a concrete surface with various symbols and text. Auto-generated description: Two ducks stand on a wet surface with a wooden fence in the background.

My boy got his picture taken for the local council propaganda rag when they opened the school street this week.

Trees at Osterley Park.

Auto-generated description: A solitary tree stands in a sunlit field with a bright sky above. Auto-generated description: Two large, leafless trees with gnarled branches stand in a wooded area on a clear day. Auto-generated description: A tree with hollow logs on the ground is surrounded by other trees on a sunny day.

Osterley Park this morning.

Auto-generated description: A tranquil lake reflecting the bare branches of surrounding trees under a clear blue sky. Auto-generated description: A tranquil lakeside scene with trees casting shadows on the ground under a clear sky. Auto-generated description: A tranquil lake is bordered by bare trees and reflected under a clear blue sky.

This morning’s walk.

I don’t know why this area is fenced off, but it has the effect of creating a private space for local alcoholics, drug users and homeless people to relax.

Auto-generated description: A small, partially fenced park area with a wooden bench and overgrown trees and bushes.

Water flowing through the gates into the lock.

A canal lock is seen with water flowing through the partially open gate, surrounded by weathered wood and stone.

I took a few moments to enjoy the sound of the flowing water.

This morning’s walk.

A boat is moored along a tranquil canal lined with trees and houses, under a clear blue sky.A red flower-shaped sign with a black center reflecting the image of the photographer wearing a red hat against a backdrop of grass and a paved walkway. A circular object with wavy white lines on a textured black background is mounted on a metal stand in an outdoor setting.