Last week when I left home for a walk, I had no idea where I might go. I only knew that I wanted to walk somewhere I’d not been before, or at least not for a long time. I ended up walking towards Beverley Meads, a place I’d not visited for about three or four years. It meant walking along a busy bypass to get there, and I was a little unsure of the way in.
However, the first part went well, as I followed the sign to Beverley Brook walk. But then came a part I didn’t remember. I was standing on a bridge off the busy bypass (where the photo above was taken). Google maps wasn’t helping much, so I used my instinct to get me there. It wasn’t long before I encountered a great deal of mud, and the path I needed was totally awash with it. I ended up back on the bypass trying to find another way in.
I came to Colliers Wood Football Club and wound my way round the side. Someone had laid plastic steps across the worst of the mud, and I made it into an area known as Fishponds Nature Reserve. As I crossed a bridge, I was faced with an astounding amount of mud! I tried to find some drier places, but my feet sank into it. Mud sucked at my walking shoes and went over the top of them. I found a boardwalk and followed it until the path ran out. Beyond was more mud. I knew when I was beat and I turned around and retraced my steps.
Back out on to the A3 bypass, and feeling defeated, I realised I was not yet ready to go home. If I kept walking, I would eventually come to the Robin Hood Gate entrance to Richmond Park. It was further than I thought, but there was not turning back.
Once I entered Richmond Park the noise of traffic was replaced by the sound of birds, especially the Parakeets. What are Parakeets doing here? Well, there are many stories of how these birds got here into this part of London, but possibly it is no more than a few escaped pets. However, they have spread to other parts of England, and if you want to know more about them, then click on this link.
Looking at the park map, I decided I would walk to the Kingston Gate. To walk around the whole of Richmond Park is about ten miles. Many years ago I did a charity walk around the park with my brother, but I’ve not done it since. Although the day was fast losing its brightness, it was lovely to walk surrounded by so many trees. Even in the park the recent rains had made parts of it muddy, but it was okay as long I kept to paths.
At the car park to the Isabella Plantation (a much visited place when I was younger) there was a cafe. This was new to me, but very welcome. I bought tea, but due to lockdown, the seating had been cordoned off. I considered walking to the Isabella Plantation, but I was conscious of the time. During winter I was sure the park closed around four-thirty, and it was already close to four o’clock. I was keen not to get myself locked in! So, I carried on walking towards Kingston Gate. Just before arriving there, drizzle began. Thankfully, I had an umbrella. I considered catching a bus home, but using public transport at present is not encouraged unless it is essential during lockdown.
My legs felt tired, and this was a longer walk than I’d set out to do, but as long as I didn’t stop, I was sure I could walk all the way home. And that is what I did. I am not sure how many miles I walked in all, but it must have been at least seven, maybe more. I’d walked non-stop for just over three hours. I felt much better in myself from being outdoors, despite the aching legs. To see a map of Richmond Park, click on this link.
My London+ 