Being part of an international community, you occasionally hear tales of run ins with animals. Raccoons, badgers, snakes, kangaroo’s, drop bears (maybe), but in London, all we have is rats.

Furry rodents intent on giving false directions when questioned, usually sending you towards the nearest interceptor. Without them and the small parasitic creature within the waters, the London sewer system would be totally devoid of life. In a way, this lack of potential interaction removes a potential thrill from the activity. After all, wouldn’t being scared shi*less after seeing large shadows scurry off around the bend be more fun? I think so.

Parasite, officially known as the “Camden High Level Relief Sewer” (High Level Storm Relief), it serves as a branch of the Fleet Storm Relief, connecting the system to the Northern High Level Sewer. The yellow brick tunnel runs from Highbury at its overflow, to Camden, remaining no larger then 7ft in diameter.

Originally we saw this as a means of access into the Fleet Storm Relief, and in turn the Fleet itself. Uneventful, the Camden Relief has little to offer any who enter it, the unchanging pipe devoid of any junctions, chambers or features. Its only purpose to break the hearts of those who walk it, a brick wall and 1ft feeder pipe the only connection to the storm relief behind, the shimmering brick just out of reach.