The Hamptons

Two walks – two different days

It was the least cold day of the week! Not sunny, but I was determined to do some walking last week. As it happened, I did two walks. The second one was on a bitterly cold day. I’ll come to that in a moment.

The first walk was in Richmond Park. I managed to drag my son along and we entered by Robin Hood Gate. My idea was to walk a different part than last time, and the aim was to exit at Richmond Gate. We walked to Roehampton Gate where we stopped for lunch in the cafe. Something hot before we ventured out again. From there we edged along the side of the park, finding all sorts of pedestrian gates I knew nothing about (I know mainly the main gates where cars and pedestrians have access). There was a trundle up a hill (I’m not good on hills!) for a nice view back towards Roehampton before the last push towards Richmond.

The first thing you see when you exit Richmond Gate is The Royal Star & Garter Home. Now dedicated at World Heritage Site, the home is accommodation and nursing for up to 180 ex-servicemen. Nearby is the RSPCA memorial.

Walking down Richmond Hill, you come to some magnificent views across the River Thames and towards London. We then caught a bus outside the Poppy Factory to go home.

View across The Thames from Richmond Hill

On the second walk, I retraced the steps of my old ‘lockdown’ route towards The Hamptons Wetlands and across the ‘horse field’. I left early, and the day was all blue sky and freezing! I wanted to photograph birds and, of course, horses. There were not as many birds at the wetlands that day. The heron and the Egyptian Geese weren’t there, but I did manage to photograph a Robin, Swan and gulls.

Robin – rather poor lighting and it wouldn’t keep still!

Not sure if this is heavy frost or light dusting of snow

Coming across the horse field, I was fascinated by a horse and foal. I spent rather too long taking photos and my poor fingers froze. But it was worth it.

On the way home I spotted a little Christmas tree (Conifer) outside a newsagents. I’d been looking for one for my writing/hobby room, so I bought it.

My wee Christmas tree. I’ve named her Mavis, and she is getting to know Basil!

Re-visting The Hamptons Wetlands (again!)

Finally, a day for a walk, but where to go? Back to the place I have grown to love in the last year. I am always finding new ways into this place as there are various access points around the estate where the wetlands is situated.

This time the entrance I usually use had a large puddle that even I was not prepared to wade through. Last time I went through on my heels to stop the water going over my shoes. It was not possible yesterday as the puddle was bigger, though a family were attempting to bypass it by walking along the fence next to it!

We continued along the path as I wanted to see where that particular path led. It comes out into a road which leads down to North Cheam (which I could see in the distance). We took a right turn and followed another road which eventually led back into The Hamptons and down to the wetlands. The cygnats, or rather young adults, are still there, still moulting. I guess there is a never ending food source there, so it seems worth staying. Couldn’t see the heron this time, but the Egypitian geese were there.

There were many families out walking with dogs and children enjoying a rare day when it wasn’t raining or too cold.

We came back home through the horse field. The field was muddy and as the horses walked you could hear the ground squelching underfoot! I always enjoys saying hello to the horses.

Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field (beyond the trees is the horse field)

There is nothing to do but walk

With lockdown extended to who knows when, there is not a lot one can do now except shop for essential food, and maybe grab a takeaway drink. The government in England has just announced that schools will not re-open for at least two weeks and learning will go online.

The weather has turned bitterly cold and I’m not keen to be outside when it is as cold as this. Nevertheless, one morning I did layer up and drag myself out of the house before 8am to take photos of the frost and sunrise in two local parks. I took short walks on both Christmas Eve and Boxing Day as well. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.

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

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!