Thames Path – My London+

A bit of a random post

Walking into Richmond along the River Thames

I’m dying to get out on the Thames Path again, but the weather has prevented this. As it happens the sections close to the source of the Thames have been flooded after all the rain we’ve had. And it’s the sections further away from London I’m yet to walk. I’m hoping to do some proper planning soon and get back there in June, July and August. It includes overnight stays once we get beyond Goring (Berkshire).

However, last week a friend and I walked a short length of a London section which we’d done before, but separately. My friend has had a hairline fracture of her foot and this was the first walk she’d done. So we took it slowly and had a sit down once. We met at Teddington for a pub lunch close to the river and then walked to Richmond, about 2.7 miles.

Lunch

The day was warm but overcast and we ended with tea and cake overlooking the river at Richmond.

Tea and cake by the river

Yesterday morning I woke to realise I’d pledged to myself to go jogging. I had an inward groan as I slid from bed and wondered whether to bother. I’d not been jogging since the first Covid lockdown and I’d kept it up for around six months. But on Saturday I was trying something on in a shop fitting room and suddenly seeing myself in multiple mirrors my reaction was, how did it come to this? There and then I pledged to get fit. Since I had to stop playing short tennis in December last year (due to tennis elbow), walking was my only exercise. I re-started back at short tennis two weeks ago and now it was time to look at my diet and exercise.

Beverley Park

I was out of the house at 6.35am yesterday. Immediately I got that buzz of being out so early when it’s quiet with hardly anyone else about. Nature seems closer. You can hear the birds sing, the air is sharp, but not cold, and yesterday the sky was blue and the scent of flowers drifted in the morning haze. I headed to my local park and hoped the wet end wouldn’t be too bad. The park looked lovely in the early sunshine and I was the only one there at first. Later a man and his dog overtook me (they were on the third lap when I left after one lap of jogging and walking!)

Dandelion – a favourite of mine

In the wooden area where the mud is particularly bad

I’ve captured my local park in photos so many times over the seasons. I remembered how the first time I jogged there I watched spring turn into summer and then the early stages of autumn. The trees in particular change from stark branches to blossom and then green. The park was muddy in places, but I was determined to walk through my favourite bit down by the wooded part. I had to divert off the path a couple of times to avoid the most muddy parts, but someone had kindly put a few stepping stones down in one section.

Bluebell

Thanks to the kind person for putting down some steping stones

The flowers were looking colourful in the beds near the railings as I came along my finishing path. I saw the post I call my finishing line and sprinted towards it as I always used to. Somehow there is always a small reserve for the big sprint, which I love doing. I then collapsed on the low garden bed wall to recover! I even managed a jog down my road coming home.

I’ve watched these tree stumps rotting over the years

I thought I’d be suffering after that, but this morning I’m not too bad. Legs ache a little, but nothing major. I’m aiming to jog every other day. I need to be mindful of my knees and not overdo it. The diet is a low carb, no dairy, no meat diet, and as I don’t do the last one and only eat diary sometimes, it’s just the carbs I’m going to miss. It’s a sort of detox diet which I did years ago. It’s a 28 day diet. All that chocolate I have is going to have to sit there for a good long time!

Seat, anyone?

My sprint post/finishing line when jogging from the far side (taken from my collapsing point!)

How long can I keep up the jogging? It’s not my favourite way to keep fit. Very far from it. It’s a slog, but during lockdown it kept me fit. I prefer playing badminton or short tennis, but during lockdown all that closed down. Walking was my life saver during lockdown and jogging helped to keep me fit while I couldn’t have a racquet in my hand. Let’s see how things stand in month. Meanwhile, I shall still be out there walking and taking photos. Have a good week everyone.

Richmond to Kingston Thames Path Walk

Richmond

On a dreary day, I made my way to Richmond. Initially, I was going to view the recent statue of Virginia Woolf overlooking the riverside. Virginia (part of the Bloomsbury Group) and her husband lived in Richmond for ten years and set up the Hogarth Press. I wasn’t sure where the statue was, but I found a photo online and asked my son, who used to work in Richmond, where it was. Virginia was well camouflaged set in several rows of benches overlooking the River Thames.

Virginia Woolf overlooking the river

Nice view

And yes, I did sit next to her! The temptation was too much.

I then set off along the Thames Path in the direction of Kingston I have walked this section before, but not in this direction and not in one go. I remember back then I thought it was too far. Ha, ha! I’ve walked a lot further in one go now, but those were my early days of walking.

By Richmond Bridge

Loved this quirky Three Pigeons insect hotel

It was nice to find some flowers still blooming along the path, though don’t ask me to name them!

The plaque below on the obelisk itself says: Thames Conservancy; Lower Limit, 1900.

Teddington Lock, where the famous Monty Python ‘fish slapping dance’ scene was filmed back in 1971. See below.

If you look at this photo, you can still see the building where the filming took place. Behind it is now the riverside is built up with lots of apartments on the Teddington side.

Getting close to Kingston now.

Autumn is really here now

Apologies if I’ve posted this photo before. This has often been my stopping point when walking from the other direction.

Egyptian ducks

Turks Boatyard. See this article to learn more about Turks boatbuilding.

Arrival. Christmas is coming. This is taken by Kingston Bridge (the railway bridge can be seen in the distance)

Kingston Christmas Market

I bought this from a little stall on the riverside. It was unmaned and had an ‘honesty box’. Everything was being sold in aid of the local Scout group. I couldn’t resist this!

Thames Path Walk – Maidenhead to Henley-on-Thames

This walk was a dummy run for my friend and I to see if we could (a) walk two sections of the Thames Path on consecutive days, and (b) walk carrying all we needed for the trip. We arrived from London late Tuesday afternoon and stayed overnight in a hotel. After breakfast we set off to walk the first leg to Marlow. The distance was around eight miles, though we ended up doing more than that as we had a stop at Cookham to enjoy the village.

The morning began overcast, and occasionally we encountered a few spots of rain. There were some dramatic skies, but we were lucky. While walking, we had no rain. The path was easy and the views beautiful.

The first notable place is Boulter’s Lock. There are some huge houses along this stretch of the Thames Path. Some, we assumed, were hotels or apartments. One was up for sale or rent. Tempting, but I could never afford it!

Behind the trees on the opposite bank is Cliveden House, the former home of the Astor family. Unfortunately, we were unable to see the house from our side, but the grounds were extensive.

A lovely tree lined section of the river

Shortly afterwards, we came to Cookham where we stopped to enjoy the Stanley Spencer Gallery. I had been before, but not my friend. The gallery is small, but the paintings are stunning. Spencer lived in Cookham for most of his life and all his paintings (apart from some he painted during the war) are set in Cookham. Though not religious, he painted a number of religious scenes. His house is on the main street (blue plaque) and there is a war memorial with his brother’s name on it. Spencer was one of nine children.

An unfinished painting – The Stanley Spencer Gallery

Holy Trinity Church is nearby and inside there is a replica of The Last Supper by Stanley Spencer. Outside in the graveyard is the headstone where the artist was buried. Somehow, I missed this the last time I was here.

Leaving Cookham behind (after a cuppa in a local cafe) we headed towards Bourne End. This meant crossing over the river where shortly be came to Bourne End Marina.

Eventually, we came into Marlow, our second overnight stop. We had carried all we needed in our rucksacks and had made it, and without getting wet!

After we’d settled into our rooms and had that all important cup of tea and a rest, we went for a stroll before dinner. The sky looked threatening by then, and while we nipped into WHSmith the heavens opened. We stood at the door waiting for the shower to pass, which it did. I unfurled my brolly, but when we came outside, the rain stopped. So we carried on with our exploring before enjoying a tasty, and well-deserved meal.

Marlow is all set for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Our hotel was part of the George & Dragon

Before leaving the next morning we took a look at St Luke’s church, and then walked over Marlow Bridge just because it is so impressive!

Another view from the bank where we set off for Henley

This next section was a particularly beautiful stretch, and we first came across Bisham Church.

There are lots of tributaries to the River Thames here, which means lots of little footbridges

This was a day of bridges (three to cross in all), animals (cattle, butterflies and Red Kites). It was an extraordinary day of contrasts, and the sun even came out!

Goslings enjoying the sunshine – Hurley Riverside Park

Eventually we had to come off the river and walk through a deer park and Culham Court. We were by then dreaming of a sit down and cuppa!

The grounds are extensive to Culham Court and the deer park, but this is private land, so one has to stick to paths. There is a Chapel built on the hill. You can see and read about that here.

This is perhaps my favourite view of this walk.

We were now nearing Aston and the prospect of that well-earned cuppa was upper mind in our thoughts, so it was with great relief to cross the field (above) and come across The Flowerpot Pub.

Never have I seen so many stuffed fish behind glass!

We sat in the pub garden and were amazed by Red Kites riding the thermals and darting down. They came close by, and I counted six together at one time. I have never seen them close up before and fell in love with them. Their colouring is beautiful.

Eventually, we dragged ourselves away. We had the last stretch of the Thames to walk. Refreshed, we set off.

Next door to the pub we found a whole selection of birds – chickens, doves, even a couple of peacocks!

We had arrived! We had a celebration drink at the Leander Rowing Club. My friend cheeky asked if we would be allowed in. Apparently, non-members could drink on the terrace, so in we went! We found a table right by the river and enjoyed the view and the sunshine. We didn’t want to go home. Over twenty twenty miles in two days we had walked, and now it felt like it! When we eventually roused ourselves, it was on stiff legs and I had a blister on the ball of my left foot. But we were happy, and proud of ourselves for this achievement. We are already planning our next walk!

Thames Path: Greenwich to Thames Barrier

At the fourth attempt, we finally took this walk last Wednesday. Weather, tube strikes and me not feeling well, had stopped us before, but we had the perfect day all round.

My friend and I met at Waterloo station and took the Jubilee Line tube to Canary Wharf, where we changed onto the DLR to Greenwich. The walk on the map is classed at around two miles. It was nearer five!

Greenwich is an interesting place in its own right, with the Navel College, National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory. Plenty to keep you going all day and more.

The walk along the Thames Path takes you past some interesting places, including the O2 (Millennium Dome), Greenwich Ecology Park and, of course, the Thames Barrier itself. The views are great across the river, and the trees are quite unexpected. With the tide out, there was rather an exotic feel to the river with some sandy spots. You could almost think you were at the beach!

Trinity Hospital and Almshouses, Greenwich

I like a bit of industrial stuff to photograph, and there is always some public art around on these walks.

Rather exotic. Would you expect to see this by the river?

These buildings seemed to follow us around – Canary Wharf

Along this stretch of river there is a large bend. The O2 sits on the point of it, so you cannot see the Thames Barrier for quite a while. Like Canary Wharf, the O2 seems to take an age to pass! As I have walked this once, if not twice, before, I remember how this part seems to go on forever.

During Storm Eunice in February this year, part of the roof of the O2 building was ripped away. The photo below shows the extent of the damage. It looks much bigger when standing there than it did on TV.

Fly Emirates! The cable car takes you to Victoria Dock on the other side of the river.

The cable car is just great! I have used it twice. The views are spectacular. Who needs a good excuse to use it?

We’d taken food with us to eat, but stopped to buy an extra drink. We sat in a park surrounded by daffodils to have our lunch before using the toilets in the O2, where I took the photo below.

I know there was controversy about this building, but I like it.

Unfortunately, the Thames barrier Information Centre was shut, but I have visited it once before. I can recommend it. There is a cut-away model showing how the barrier works.

One gets tempted to take rather a lot of photos.

Here you can see more how the barrier works

Here you can follow the line from source to sea and one day I shall complete it!

After all that walking what we really needed was a nice cup of tea. So, we headed to the pub we had seen earlier, called the Anchor & Hope and had our tea. Duly refreshed, we headed to Chalton Station to catch the train back into centre of London. A lovely day.

Hockney, a book launch & a walk by the Thames at night

Thursday was a busy day. I had tickets for myself and a friend to see David Hockney’s exhibition at the Royal Academy in the afternoon. I’ve always been a fan of his, and the work for this exhibition was done during lockdown in France using an iPad. What would it be like? This isn’t the first iPad pictures of his I’ve seen. There were a few in the last exhibition, A Bigger Picture in 2009, but this was wholly using an iPad (an App especially adapted for him). The Arrival of Spring is a collection of 116 works include trees, flowers, the house and barn, the pond and the tree house, all within the boundaries of where Hockney was living during lockdown in Normandy. He worked outside (en plein air) as did the French Impressionists before him, and the works were executed between February and June 2020. He worked almost daily, and on occasions he would produce two works in one day.

So, what are the pictures like? Well, photography is not allowed inside the exhibition, though if you Google the name of the exhibition or visit the website of The Royal Academy, you can see some pictures. Here is video preview to whet your appetite.

I loved the fact that I could see how Hockney put the pictures together. Great swathes of colour and then dots or lines. I’d say they are very vibrant, lots of bright green. I wondered about the restrictions of using a iPad to paint. Was this why they were so bright green? Then again, Hockney does like vibrant! His A Bigger Picture had lots of bright colours on canvas. I realised that this is the way he paints. His style is unique and recognisable. Did we like the pictures? I feel guilty in saying that we we spend just thirty minutes at the exhibition (we spent the same time in Hatchards Bookshop!). However, we agreed that it was good to see them. A few (well, particularly one) were what I’d call naive art, almost a first attempt. It looked rushed and childlike. The ones we particularly liked were those of rain on the pond. The pictures are very bright, and perhaps best seen from a distance, but then again you miss the technique. I have never tried art on an iPad, and I am a dabbler in art, so what do I know? Big named artists draw big crowds whatever they do, and David Hockney always draws a big crowd. I had difficulty getting tickets for the exhibition in the first place. They were going like hot-cakes.

Certainly it was worth a viewing, and certainly it was different. David Hockney can do no wrong in my eyes! It was a challenge and he took. He has always done things differently to others, and seems to relish new technology. I also love his attitude to life! Like many artists he used the same subjects time and again, on different days and different times marking how spring arrived. Monet did the same thing with buildings. It also remind me of how I watched spring arrive last year. I used to jog around a local park. In my case, I took photos every time I was there. I’d photograph the trees sprouting leaves from bare branches, and the flower beds went from nothing to a riot of colour. I took photos. Hockney painted with an iPad. We will all remember that spring differently. It was unique and beautiful, despite what else was going on.

A Field Guide to Larking

In the evening I went on to Southwark Cathedral for a book launch of A Field Guide to Larking by Lara Maiklem. I already have her fascinating first book, and this one I ordered at the time, so I could pick it up on the night. I was in the queue early so I could get a good seat! I collected my book and then sat down. Of course I flipped through the book while I was waiting. In fact I began reading it! The resident cat, Hodge, was strolling around and one time went up the steps past Lara as she was speaking!

The talk was interesting and informative. Lara gave advice and recounted instances of finds or funny things, items she found she thought weren’t that important only to find they were, and vice versa. At the end there was time for questions and answers.

I was so chuffed to clutch my book. It is illustrated and has room to log your own finds. I can’t wait to read the whole book and get started. Just so you know, if you want to go mudlarking you do need a Licence!

Before and after the book launch, I took photos along the River Thames from London Bridge to Tower Bridge. I finally got to see the bridges with their illuminations. I had a nice stroll back to the station at Waterloo along the south bank after a very interesting arty day!

Thames Path – two walks

Tower Bridge closing – taken from the north bank

Last week I took two walks along two different parts of the Thames Path. The first was with a friend, along the north bank from London Bridge to Wapping, the second was from Datchet to Windsor in Berkshire.

The first walk took us over Tower Bridge, but we had to wait because the bridge was open to let a boat through. All the years I have been coming to London, this was the first time I had seen the bridge open and close. As it happened, we saw this happen twice, once going, and once coming back! Amazing.

Tower bridge – open. Taken on the South bank

Once over the bridge we walked to St Katherine’s Dock where we stopped for lunch., sitting on a bench overlooking the water. Afterwards we ambled around the dock admiring all the boats and the apartments. Some of these are old warehouses that have been converted.

Soon we found our way to Wapping. Here there are several good pubs. I have visited the Prospect of Whitby in the past, a pub that has a noose hanging outside its back window overlooking the Thames. Here criminals were executed. The pub is also well worth visiting as it has lots of original features. However, today that pub was further than we wanted to walk. But there was one place I wanted to see, and that was Wapping Old Stairs which run alongside the pub called Town of Ramsgate. The pub dates from the 1400’s and the steps was where the fishermen of Ramsgate (in Kent) brought their catches and landed them at Wapping Old Stairs.

The Thames. On the shore having come down Wapping Old Stairs. Oliver’s Wharf

Today we walked down the alleyway and down the stairs. They take you right onto the Thames. Using the handrail is a good idea as the tide comes up over the steps and they can be rather slimy. But it was exciting to stand where fishermen once had hauled their load in here. Crazy that I didn’t take a photo of the stairs themselves, I was that excited! I’m sure I will be going back.

Rather in need of refreshment we thought about visiting the pub, but we walked on a little further until we came to the Captain Kidd pub. This looked like it was closed from the outside. There is nothing much to see, but we walked through open doorway into an alleyway that led to the pub. Here we stopped to have tea (very English!) and sat in the courtyard garden overlooking the Thames. The pub stands on the execution sight of the pirate Captain Kidd, though before becoming a pub in the 1980’s, this building was a workshop and a coffee warehouse.

After refreshing cups of tea, we headed back up river and this time crossed at London Bridge. If you like a pub crawl, then Wapping is a good place to do it! The history of those places wraps around you.

A nice sculpture for Berkeley Homes, North Bank

Datchet to Windsor

On Friday I took the opportunity of reasonably good weather to pick up my Thames Path walk upstream. Last time I finished at Datchet. This time I was doing a very short section – a two mile walk along the Thames to Royal Windsor. The day started badly with difficulty getting train tickets as my local train station ticket office was closed. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I ended up running the length of Clapham Junction station to buy a ticket there (having been directed the wrong way to the machines that could not provide the discounts I am entitled to). I caught my train with three minutes to spare. In a little over half an hour I was in Datchet.

A nice green path off the road down to the Thames

The first part of the walk was on the road, which was extra busy (and I was soon to find out why). The path was then easy going between trees and foliage on both sides. I became aware that on the other side of the river there was some sort of horsey event taking place. I Googled it and found it was The Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Looks like I have coincided with a horse show!

Coming up the steps and onto Victoria Bridge I admired the horses. However, walking a little way on, I realised that there were barriers up and I had no access to the Thames Path on that side. I stopped someone on the road to ask about it and he said I’d have to use the road. I was beginning to think it wasn’t my day!

So I carried on along the busy main road into Windsor itself. My intention was to spend the day looking around Windsor, as I’d not been here in many years. It took a while for me to remember it.

I have to admit that everything that had happened that morning had left me rather stressed. I saw there was a church open, so I decided to go and pay a visit. Whatever your take on religion, you cannot deny the absolute calm of standing in a church away from the noise of traffic and people.

The Last Supper, Light of the World, Royal Pew

St John the Baptist church was rather dark (comes out lighter in the photos), but it was lovely and had two great paintings – The Last Supper and Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Outside, I sat on a bench in the church garden overlooking the street and ate my packed lunch.

Finally, I made my way down to the river, stopping off in Alexandra Gardens for a cup of tea. The promenade was lovely and teeming with ducks and swans. The sun came out as I walked. This part of Windsor held surprises like the Hawker Hurricane and Baths Island. I actually laid down at Baths Island. It was relaxing with just the putt, putt of boats up and down the Thames.

Slowly, I made my way back into Windsor and decided to head over the bridge and into Eton to see the famous college. Eton has a lovely high street with cafes and independent shops. I went into an antique book shop and almost bought a book, before heading to the college. Wow! What a place. It really is something else.

On my way back I stopped off at a lovely veggie/vegan cafe for tea and cake and sat at a table outside watching the world go by.

Back over the bridge, I walked through another park with a maze and a very gentle game of bowls was taking place. I was thinking about catching the train back home when I decided to walk further along the Thames Path in the direction of Datchet to see how far I could get. As it turned out I almost completed the walk because from this side the path ran alongside the far side of Home Park. However, eventually I came to the trailers and horse boxes and knew I might have to turn around. I came across a nice man with a gorgeous horse and asked him about getting through. He advised me that I could not walk much further before coming to barriers. He suggested I walk through the field of trailers and horse boxes, following the metal road, and out through the security gate. I asked if I would be allowed to do that. He said, ‘Yes, but if not, I’ll see you ten minutes!’ So, I that’s what I did. There was something beautiful about the sounds of neighing and snorted horses (I’ve always loved horses), but I just kept walking and I even had a little banter with the security guard!

Back onto Victoria Bridge and on my way to Datchet

Back onto the road, Victoria Bridge was just around the corner and I was back on the Thames Path and was on my way to Datchet. This was not how I’d planned it, but in the end I had walked all but a small section of the river on the original path. I had walked close to ten miles in all!

Vauxhall to Waterloo – an amble along the Thames Path and some back roads

My journey started here (see photo above) at the American Embassy. I’d been here once before a few years ago. It was rather like a building site then, and still they are building new apartment blocks. They now come with cafes and supermarkets beneath – little villages in themselves. The gardens are also an improvement. But I came today specifically to see the swimming pool between two apartments. See on the photo what looks like a walkway? That’s a pool! I’d seen it recently on TV news with lots of people in it. Today, being a weekday, no one was there. Even so, it was still a spectacle. Would you like to swim in it?

American Embassy (above)

After a quick wander around, I set off for the Thames. To the left is Battersea (the old Power Station) and to the right central London and Westminster. I was walking to the right, but not before I walked a little way back to grab a photo of Father Thames.

It wasn’t long before I spotted something on the other side of the road. Three seats in the form of boats, and some arches that looked like a church. I crossed over to inspect this and came across White Hart Dock which can be traced back to the 14th century. Royal Dalton had buildings along here, and you can see the tunnel that led to other docks and the Thames. I have never come across this dock before, and that’s what I like about London. It never fails to amaze and surprise me.

Looking towards Battersea

White Hart Dock

Behind the old dock something else caught my eye, and before I knew it I found Old Paradise Garden. What a beautiful garden. This seems to have been built on a former churchyard. It is a quiet oasis with a beautiful array of wildflowers in the centre. The park is still having a makeover, but there will be a play area. Also, the Garden Museum (close by) run gardening lessons here on Friday mornings for local residents. There are raised beds with various plants and herbs. This is a lovely place to sit.

From there it was back to the Thames via St Mary’s Gardens. St Mary’s is the home of the Garden Museum, but the gardens here are free. Next door is Lambeth Palace. Over the road is Lambeth Bridge.

Lambeth Bridge

Westminster

Walking along the Thames Path I came across the wall where people have written the names of loved ones who have died of Covid 19. I knew of this wall, but was surprised about how long it is. It stretches almost from Lambeth Bridge to Westminster Bridge. Certainly a peoples’ memorial.

From here it was a short walk to the London Eye and then towards Waterloo. I stopped off at St John’s Church gardens to eat lunch and to have a quick read before returning home. It had been a lovely morning.

London Eye

St John’s Churchyard

St John’s, Waterloo