Heather Walker

Richmond Park

My friend and I were on a walk through Richmond Park when we heard that our part of the UK had moved into Tier Two of the governments three tier system of Covid 19 measures. This means households are no longer allowed to mix indoor, whether that is in homes or in pubs, restaurants or cafes.

Straightaway that meant some of the things we do we can no longer take part in. I cannot play play badminton with my friends, or meet my writing friend in the cafe where we sit and write for a couple of hours a week. These things only resumed about a month ago, and now that’s it, for however long.

It is even more important for me to get outside and walk whenever the weather permits, and unless complete lockdown happens again, that’s what I intend to do.

This walk was put off from the week before due to bad weather, but this day we were lucky. There were showers, but we managed to dodge them, and the sun came out frequently. There was a warning about the deer in Richmond Park – it is the rutting season – but we didn’t see one deer!

We began the walk at the Kingston Gate. My friend has walked the park many times so I was totally in her hands. We headed across towards Pertersham Nurseries, near Richmond. When we arrived it was busy. The place is much smaller than I expected, and there were queues for the shop. To eat there you had to book in advance. However, I had seen the price for the cafe online – £10 or so for a sandwich! We sheltered from a brief shower under an awning and then headed straight out again! We walked down to the River Thames at Richmond and had lunch at the veggie/vegan cafe caled The Hollyhocks, which sits on The Terraces, high up, with wonderful views across the river.

We lingered a while before heading back the same way. The changeable weather made for some dramatic skies and the autum coklours were wonderful. This time we headed uphill towards King Henry’s Mound where there is a viewing point into London. On a good day you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, 13 miles away. There is a law that this view must not be obscured, though planners have tried. I took a photo, not thinking I had captured anything as I couldn’t see the cathedral with my naked eye, yet my camera captured a ghostly white image of the cathedral with my lens on full zoom. Amazing.

We sat on a bench here and read ‘lockdown poems’ we’d written. What a view!

From King Henry’s Mound you can see St Paul’s Cathedral 13 miles away (just)

In the other direction you can see right across to Windsor apparently (though I couldn’t). There is a telescope you can use to pin point things. Afterwards we wandered around some gardens before heading back to the Kingston Gate.

It was a lovely day, even though my legs were aching like hell! Enjoy the photos.

Design Museum/Holland Park

I suppose it was the 1980’s when I first realised that a lot of music I was listening to had electronic overtones – OMD, Flock of Seagulls, Gary Numan – but really it was when I came across Trance in mid 2000 that I became hooked. I heard a version of William Orbit’s Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber) in a Trance mix by Ferry Corsten. That’s when I bought my first Trance CD (‘Pure’ Euphoria Vol 4 mixed by Matt Darley) The rest is history.

So, when I saw the Design Museum advertising their Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers exhibition, I just had to go along. What I loved was seeing the electronic equipment, but I hadn’t realised the origins of electronic music, how many decades it spanned, and the range. Going through the exhibition there was a chance to listen to sounds from across the years. Here you could plug in your own earphones or headphones (you need to take your own due to Covid 19 restrictions) and listen to the first attempt to record electronic sounds right through to club music of today. There are lots of screens and music pumping out generally across the exhibition.

Vinyl records that create spinning pictures when played

My favourite place was the light display, a room with strips of changing lights moving to the rhythm of the music. In the final room you can have the whole experience with The Chemical Brothers song Gotta Keep on Makin’ Me High. There is a warning here due to the flashing lights/strobe lighting, and you can miss this out should this not be something you want to/should not experience for health reasons. Wow! Even I had to close my eyes near the end as the white light was so bright, but what an experience.

Costumes from The Chemical Brothers show

I don’t profess to like all electronica, but I love Trance especially the chill-out, classic, uplifting and some progressive. I am addicted to music in general and my taste is very eclectic. I listen to anything from the 1960’s to the present day, including classical, but if I had to pick an era, it would be the 1980’s.

If you like electronic music, then this exhibition is for you. If you are bored rigid now then maybe a quiet time in Holland Park is more to your liking. Do read on!

Holland Park is lovely any time of year, but with the trees turning colour I couldn’t resist popping in. Conveniently there is an entrance right alongside the Design Museum. Being midweek it was quiet. The Kyoto Gardens were beautiful and peaceful, a complete contrast to the thumping beats of techno. It was a chance to unwind and be with nature.

While the large cafe was shut, the kiosk by it was open and I was able to grab a hot chocolate and sticky peach tart. I sat under cover just in time because the heavens opened. It was rather soothing watching the rain fall. Luckily, the worst had cleared by the time I was ready to leave.

A day of contrasts for sure!

Mayfair Sculpture Trail

During October you can follow a sculture trail around London’s Mayfair district. The best place to start is Burlington Arcade, then follow the trail into New Bond Street, Cork Street. Maddox Street, One Hanover Street and Grosvenor Square. Two or three of these are permanent installations, such as Allies by Lawrence Holofener. It took me a morning to find them, though there were two I just couldn’t find. For more information about where to find the scupltures, the artists and materials see here

Here they are:

Horse & Rider – Elisabeth Frink (there is replica of this in Winchester)

While I was in London I found Brown Hart Gardens totally by accident. How lovely and peaceful they look laid out above a former electrical sub-station. There is a cafe at one end too.

To finish off my morning I found these too (not part of the sculpture trail).

On the side of John Lewis Department Store – by Barbara Hepworth

And something nostalgic – ‘Nipper ‘ above the now closed HMV store in Piccadilly

Re-visits and photos

With the weather becoming more iffy as October stretches before us, it was a case of choosing the day, or last minute decisions to go out. Having postponed a walk with a friend due to bad weather, I did manage to get out late afternoon on Thursday with one of my sons. I wanted to show him the Wetlands at The Hamptons. It had been a surprise find for me and I wanted to share it.

Before that we chose a sunny morning to visit the local park. I wanted to see the changes autumn was bringing and take some photos. So here is a selection of photos from those two local walks.

The above photo and those that follow were taken on the walk to The Hamptons Wetlands. This is a new station notice above. I don’t remember seeing it a few weeks ago.

The view from the top of the hill at The Hamptons

Wandle Trail – final leg

The above photo was taken after conpleting the second part of the River Wandle Trail in February (the first part I walked in January of this year). I posted about the previous legs on this blog back in the beginning of the year. A week ago I came back to walk the final leg.

River Wandle between Wandle Park and Wandle Meadow Nature Park

The start of this leg begins on the other side of the road from where the top photo was taken. I always enjoy walking somewhere new, and this was quite surprising. I never knew all this countryside was here, a vast open stretch in Wandle Meadow Nature Park. Firstly, we walked through Wandle Park itself (not to be confused with Wandle Park in Croydon, where the first leg began!). Out onto a lane and then into the Nature Meadow with its plyons and old sewage works.

Pylons and old sewage words (Wandle Meadow Nature Park)

After this we got a litle lost and had to double back as we realised we were in a different park than we should be! I had two different maps with me (plus Google Maps) and even then it was sometimes hard to follow the small turns. Sometimes we had to leave the river and walk along roads and rejoin it further along. This happened at Earlsfield where we walked a stretch of a busy main road, passed the the station and veered off left by the Wandle Trail Pub and down a long road before a right turn took us into King George’s Park. This is one of the biggest parks I think I’ve ever walked in (except in central London).

Somewhere behind us is Plough Lane, the home of AFC Wimbledon (they are rebuilding a new stadium)

The park is split into several parts, and being a Saturday, football was taking place – Little League teams and some adult teams, plus some sort of touch rugby which seemed to be a charity event as people were dressed in weird costumes! There was so much activity going on here including the small play areas and tennis courts. So many people walking, but part of this park is behind the town of Wandsworth itself.

The Wandle Trail Pub at Earlsfield and St George’s Park (Earlsfield end)

Wandsworth was also busy with Saturday shoppers, and we stopped to get a hot drink, and I used the facilities in the shopping mall (the river runs through the shopping mall!). We took our drinks over the road into an old churchyard, minus the church. We found out that this was the former site of the Society of Friends Meeting House (Quakers). The graves were still here and benches dotted around, making it a quieter place to sit for a breather.

The fountain in St George’s Park is defunct and fuil of old plastic bottles

Touch Rugby, charity style! (St George’s Park)

I’ve found my place! (Gardens, St George’s Park, Wandsworth end)

We were now not far from the River Thames. Rain had started to spit, but luckily it came and went, and thankfully waited until we were home before it set in. We followed the main road round and crossed over taking a right to meet the A3 into London. Here we picked up the river once more and followed it to where it met the River Thames. After around five miles we had reached our destination.

The River Wandle passing through Wandsworth

The churchyard of the former Quaker’s Meeting House

The Wandle Flow by the old churchyard. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to find the name of the artist.

The Causeway. Nearly there now.

The River Wandle joins the River Thames at Wandsworth. Journeys end.

Since that walk the weather has taken a nose dive, with only some afternoons with sunshine. We’ve had days of rain and our garden has been flooded two days in a row. This has never happened like this before. Back in 2007 we did have one deluge which flooded the garden, but never two days in a row. The weather forecast doesn’t look that great for this week either. Everything is so wet. The local park, where I jogged during the worst of lockdown, has an impromptu lake! I had planned a walk with a friend later this week, but I fear we will have to cancel, as it seemes to be a day of nothing but heavy rain.

Egham & RAF War Memorial, Runnymede

RAF War Memorial, Runnymede

This was a personal pilgrimage. My uncle (my father’s brother) died in World War II in 1941. His plane went down over the sea while on convoy duties. All three airmen died. One body was washed up on a beach on the south east coast of England. My unlce and his Flight Officer were lost at sea.

When I was a child I remember coming here with my mum, dad and brother, but I’d not been back. On one of the plaques has my uncle’s name on. All together there are 20,000 names of RAF men who died in World War II.

To get to the memorial is a long walk up a long steep hill from Egham station. Egham was quite a surprise. Apart from the usual building site (new apartments are being built and you have to negotiate around the site), the shopping precinct is rather nice, and reminds me a little of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. There are references here to The Great Charter of Freedoms, otherwise known as the Magna Carta, which was signed at Runnymede in 1215.

Monument to the signing of the Magna Carta, Egham

The RAF Memorial is situated on top of a hill almost next door to a student campus belonging to the Royal Holloway University, and the views from here are spectacular. We already had details of the panel where my uncle’s name was to be found. Some years ago I began researching my family tree on both my mother’s and father’s side, going back to the late 1700’s. My cousin has letters my uncle wrote home, including one written just days before that fateful flight. This makes it all the more poignant. One of letters mention having seen my dad, so the two brothers must have been in part of the same camp for some of the time.

The memorial is very peaceful, and there is a room where people can find which panel their loved one’s name appears on, if they don’t already know. I only had vague memories of being here before, so it was great to come back as a adult and pay me respect to the uncle I never met. Some years ago I was lucky enough to visit the Poppy Factory in Richmond. Here we saw how the poppies were made, as well as the wreaths. We all had a go at making a poppy of our own, an extra large one you see some people wearing. We also had an opportunity to leave a poppy cross to be put with others at Westminster for Remembrance Sunday. So I wrote one for my Uncle Billie. My dad always recokened I’d have really got on really well with my uncle. I got the impression he was quite a character.

We found the panel with my uncle’s name on it, and also found the panel with the Flight Officer’s name. We then ate our packed lunch in the peaceful setting of the grounds before heading off to try and find the J F Kennedy Memorial which is located on National Trust property. It was a lovely walk down through a shady stepped path. Afterwards we came out onto some flat ground to an art installation called The Jurors. All the chairs have different ‘pictures’ both back and front of the chair backs. Had we walked a little further on we would have crossed a road and come to the River Thames. But that is for another day. The next Thames path walk will take me passed this this place on the way to Datchet, but seeing this separately was a much better idea, because it would have been too much of a trek off the path.

We retraced our steps and found the Steps of Comtemplation with a lovely view across towards the river, and then it was the long trek back to Egham station and home.

Steps leading to the J F Kennedy Memorial

Steps of Contemplation

Kingston upon Thames: A Royal Town

Back in late June I wrote about a walk along the River Thames from Kingston to Molesey Lock. This time I am back in Kingston at special request!

This is for a friend of mine who has been unable to visit lately and misses a couple of his ‘watering holes’. I hope this will cheer you up!

Kingston is a royal town, a royal borough of London. Kings have been crowned here. Back in AD 838 Kingston was known as Cyninges tun and went through various versions of the name until 1589 when it became Kingestowne upon Thames. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle two kings were consecreated here, AEthelstan (925) and AEthelred the Unready (978). It is said that others were also crowned here, but the evidence is less substantial. It is believed the coronations were held in the chapel of St Mary’s (which collapsed in 1730) and that a large stone recovered from the wreckage played an important part in the coronations.. This stone now stands in the grounds of the Guildhall.

Today Kingston is a thriving town with lots of history. There is a mix of old and new, and Kingston has been featured greatly on TV for films and TV drama, and during the Olympics in 2012 the cycling road race ran through here. In fact there is a yearly road race now held here. The Olympic Torch came through here too, and I was luckily enough to be there for that.

Kingston boats two big department stores that face each other on a corner – John Lewis and Bentalls. Bentalls was founded in 1867 by Frank Bentall who bought a drapery store and the buildings were completed in 1935. The stonework on the facade was designed by Eric Gill, whose work I came across only a few years ago and I really admire his engravings. Bentalls went on to open stores in Tunbridge Wells, Bracknell, Worthing and Bristol. However, in 1992 Bentalls in Kingston developed into The Bentall Centre, as more franchise stores located there. In 2001 Bentalls sold out to The House of Frazer, who went on to sell top Fenwick who are the current owners. The other stores had been sold off gradually due to loss-making, though I believe the store in Bracknell remains. Bentalls is rather dear to me because my family have all worked there over the years from grandparents onwards, and I had my first job there!

John Lewis opened in 1990. You can read more here. When excavating for the store remains were found of the old Kingston Bridge and Undercroft. Some of these can still be seen today at the back of the building on the river side. I don’t think these are open to the public daily, but you can see them through a glass window. However, I have been observed them close up on a day when they were opened for a special viewing. See here for more information.

There is so much more to Kingston that I could say – the ancient market place has been here since 1242. A statue of Queen Victoria stands over it, and Old London Road with its antique shop (featured in TV’s Bargain Hunt!) and Lovekyn Chapel founded in 1309, which can be hired for weddings and can be viewed on Open House Weekend in September. There is Nipper Alley (where the famous dog and gramaphone logo of HMV is commemorated) and the Clattern Bridge. The most famous person to originate from Kingston was Eadweard Muybridge born in 1830. A strange man (he like to change the spelling of his name now and then!), but a brilliant one. He famously photographed a horse running to prove that at one point all feet were off the ground. He is a most interesting man and worth reading about. I have seen his work in various exhibitions and the Kingston Museum is home to some of the best. Have a look at this website for information about these and other places in Kingston.

The River Thames at Kingston looking towards Hampton Court

My final mention must go to Turks Boatyard who run river cruises to Hampton Court and Richmond. They have been running a service for over three hundred years. The boatyard has now gone, but services continue. Turks got a mention in a book I was reading recently about Istanbul by Bettany Hughes. The family have connections to medieval times in Kingston, but their business goes back further. Read here for more information.

I hope I have done Kingston justice!

Bridge over the Hogsmill River which flows into the Thames

Hogsmill River running under the Clattern Bridge (Guildhall – with weather vane – the background)

The front of the new Bentall Centre (see above for the older part which still remains)

WINCHESTER, Hampshire

A trip out of London for a few days was something I’d tentatively planned while we were in lockdown. Having had to cancel two holidays I wondered if a short break would be possible this year. Well, I booked to go to Winchester only a few weeks ago. I found a nice self-catering apartment just off the city centre where I stayed for four nights last week. It didn’t take me long to settle in and enjoy the small garden where I regularly sat in the afternoons with my tea and a book.

I know Winchester well and have been many times, either for a day (it’s only about an hour by train from London) or to stay for a few nights. One year it was for the Christmas market.

I’d decided this break would mostly be a walking trip. I have visited most of the places of interest – Museum, The Great Hall, a couple of unique churches and the Discovery Centre. With some places still closed, others needed booking in advance, so I chose only things I could go to without booking. And of course with walking you don’t need to wear a face mask!

The first full day was spent following the river Itchen and it’s journey into the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve. There it is so peaceful, yet you are so close to the city. There is a pond and boardwalk, and if you are lucky enough you might even see a water vole (I didn’t). Afterwards I followed the river back in a different direction and then walked into the city for lunch at the Winchester Cathedral Refectory.

In the afternoon I had a stroll to West Hill Cemetery, which is old. Grass has been left so that it attracts wildlife. I remember the first time I had come through here some years ago dragging my suitcase along the main path. I was going to Winchester University (this is a regular cut through from the station) to attend a weekend writing conference. Now I had time to wander off the path and admire the view from the top of the hill. I forgotten how steep the hill was up to the cemetery!

On the second day I took a bus out of Winchester to Alresford (takes about 20 minutes by bus). The countryside is beautiful and the town has wide roads, grass verges and colourfully painted buildings. Here is also the home of the Watercress Line steam railway. The railway was runing, though I didn’t go on it. I just took some photos through fences!

I’d come for the Millennium Trail, following the River Arle. I have to say it is one of the prettiest walks I have done in a long while. The ducks were out in force! Mums with small children were feeding them. On the trail there is Eel House and the Fulling Mill (a thatched house built over the river that is so pictureque). The trail takes you alongside private land and comes out on the Winchester Road, and that takes you back to town. I skipped off back down another way to rejoin the river and eat my packed lunch while watching the ducks. There was a short detour (to see where it led!) where I found Arle Mill as well as a waterfall. That was a truly lovely day and somewhere I had never visited before.

Winchester Road looking down into Alresford with St John’s Church in the background

My final full day started late and I decided to visit Winchester Cathedral, as there was no need to book. It took me a while to realise what was different about the cathedral. And then later it clicked – all the seating had been removed from the centre. The chapels were also closed, though I took photos through the bars. I think the crypt was also closed, though I have been there before. There is an Antony Gormley figure down there. The cathedral had a special exhibition on entitled Kings & Scribes which was over three floors. It was really interesting, especially as I’d recently read a book about the Vikings where King Alfred of Wessex featured! There is a statue of King Alfred in Winchester.

On the end of the tomb of Bishop William of Wykeham

After the cathedral I walked along by the river to the castle ruins of Wolvesey and then headed off along the water meadows to The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouses. The building was closed (apart from the shop), but I had been before. Last time the church was being prepared for a wedding. This time I sat on a bench and watched walkers pass with their dogs and the dragonsflies flit around, while eating my lunch. Then it was slow walk back.

St Catherine’s Hill from the |Water Meadows

My break in Winchester was soon over. I was lucky with the weather – no rain and warm. I am sure I shall return soon as it is my favourite city. There is lots to do and some lovely walks, some of which which incorporate the house Jane Austen died in and places the poet John Keats walked. Winchester also runs a poetry festival (cancelled this year) and holds several fairs.

The Hamptons

This was a local walk, a spur of the moment thing. The first nice day after lots of cloudy ones. I set off on a route I’d used before (crossing what I call the horse field) and ended up coming across something I didn’t expect. I had a sudden urge to wander off course to an estate I had only briefly been into before. I knew that behind it was a park. What I didn’t expect was the layout of the The Hamptons.

It’s a big estate, but well set out with lost of green space, walks, benches, kids play areas and a equipment for those who like to do their keep fit outdoors. From the top of the hill there is a great view across Worcester Park and onwards.

The Hamptons looking towards the clock tower

Having taken some photos I wandered down a grassy bank just to see where it led, and found a Wetlands area that I never knew was there. It was behind a wire fence, and I thought that was it. However, I followed the path upwards and came to a boardwalk overlooking the wetlands. Not only were there swans, but also a heron and two cormorants.

I then followed the pathway out (to see where it went, you can see I like doing this!) and carried on down until it met the pathway at the Equestrian Centre on the corner.

Some street art along the path leading to the Equestrian Centre

I thought I knew the local area. It just goes to show!

The Garden Museum/Derek Jarman Exhibition

Derek Jarman was a Film Producer and in the 1980’s he bought Prospect Cottage in Dungenesss and turned it into a haven. With a lifelong interest in gardening he set about making a garden on the beach, not only with flowers but art pieces made from beach finds. The walls of the cottage also contained his art works.

When he died there was the possibility that the cottage might be sold and turned into a holiday cottage. The Art Fund stepped in to save this unique cottage by crowdfunding, and they were lucky encough to raise the funding to buy it.

The Garden Museum in Lambeth has a selection of Jarman’s art works, letters, books, journals and tools on display. It is only a small exhibition, but they have done it very well. They have created a room with a mock up cottage set on pebbles, so when you walk in it feels like you are on the beach. On the walls the cottage is depicted with the surounding scenery, the Nuclear Power Station in the background. Inside the installation are three rooms. One has a film running, a film Jarman took on the beach. Opposite are the other two rooms, the first contains a case with the journals, letters and photos, the other room has desk in from of a window overlooking the pebble beach.

This is indeed a unique cottage, and hopefully, in time, it will be possible to visit the real thing.

The Garden Museum itself has undergone renovations since I was last there. They have a brand new cafe area around the garden and a learning space for schools and groups. Also here on the ground floor is the history of the church, the former St Marys-at-Lambeth, the oldest church in Lambeth. You can see the walk in baptismal font and there is a tower with over 300 steps from where you get a good view of the River Thames (haven’t been up there yet).

Upstairs you find gardening through the ages, with tools, photos, paintings and methods, posters and, let’s face it, nostalgia! Also from up here are good views of the stained glass windows. I remember the museum as being bigger, but maybe its the way the space is being used now.

While renovation was taking place there was a surprise find. It wasn’t thought the church had a crypt as it was so close to the river and would have flooded. However, when taking up some floor slabs they found lead coffins beneath. It turned out there were five former Archbishop of Canterbury’s buried there, along with others. Around twenty or so coffins have been found. You can read all about it here. There is also a short video about the find.

Here you can see the entrance to the crypt with the Archbishop’s Mitre

The Garden Museum was set up in 1977 to honour John Tradescant (1570-1638), who was the first gardener and plant hunter in British history. He is also buried at the church. The church was due for demolition. Thank goodness it was saved.

You can walk to the museum from Waterloo station (17 mins), or take the tube to Lambeth North.. The museum is opposite Lambeth Bridge.