Further Journeys . . . Twickenham walk

One day, I set out for Twickenham, a town across the Thames from Richmond. The walking directions suggested I take a ferry across the Thames from Ham House to Twickenham, but I wasn't so sure about the ferry service, so I decided to cross by Richmond Bridge and then return by Twickenham Bridge a bit further South-East.

I walked down steep Nightingale Lane (quaint!) to the Thames path, took the path to Richmond Bridge, and then crossed the River. Some sights along the way:

That first brick building puzzled me. It was built like a war bunker, but was equipped with leisurely seating for river watchers. Hmm.

The weather this day was really nice (for a change), and the sun was out for much of the walk.

Once I got across the bridge I made my way down Twickenham Road (what else?) and, as usual, could not find my turning point that I mapped out earlier.

It seems that in England, "Bespoke" means what we call "Custom" (made-to-order)? Custom here seems to be trade in general.

I wandered in the general direction of the road back to Richmond, passing a school and a railway station and a bunch of interesting homes. I did not take any pictures here because I was too busy trying to find my way back to the "path" without adding another few miles to an already long walk. I asked several people where the Twickenham bridge was. The first simply shrugged (it was only a couple of blocks away). The second was a store owner who told me to follow the road to the fourth stop-light and I would see it. The third was a woman sitting on a bench with a friend. I told them I thought it must be to the right at the next turning. They consulted, and finally agreed. And sure enough, there it was! I walked over the massive structure (with major traffic!) and finally reached the Thames path on the Richmond side once again. I could see the top of Richmond Hill and knew that I was getting "warmer."

Notice how civilized the path is here in Richmond! None of that muddy, flooded, jungle-like stuff I found in Ham! And I emerged by walking through a beautiful building with a beautiful courtyard into the familiar street that I always walk without having seen same building and courtyard. It was interesting. On the way back I passed an alms house--one of many in the area--and finally arrived back at the University.

Coming soon: "Darkest Victorian London"! Stay tuned. . .

The big Thames path adventure . . .

Well, today I thought I would go in a different direction and see what was to be seen. . . So I set out for Ham (as in Farmer Giles of Ham by Tolkien?) via the Petersham Road from Richmond Hill. I hoped to knock around Ham a bit, catch the Thames path again (which was so tame on the way from Richmond to Kew) and see the sights!

The journey started out innocently enough, with a walk down the big hill from the deer park.

Quaint, pleasant surrounds (after I found a bathroom in desperate need early in the walk) all the way to Ham Commons and beyond. But then I lost my map, and had to ask my way as I walked down Lock Avenue. The funny thing was, the girl didn't know how to reach the Thames path. I walked half a block further and found the way marked clearly!

Still a beautiful day, as you can see, and no worries! Then I found the Thames again, and was relieved to be sure of my path home. Mmmm hmmm.

The locks were cool, and I headed along the path toward Richmond. Suddenly I discovered the basic physics of a tidal river, all over again! The flood plain was flooded, and I was trying to find a way through new watercourses as a result!

I actually reached several points where I was not sure I could get through at all. And was the tide going up, or down? Hmmm. I saw some pleasant sights along the way:

But mainly had to find ways around the water, and eventually through the water. Chilly!

Finally I found my way back to a path leading back up Richmond Hill. I stopped at a restaurant for a cup of coffee and a heat-up of my cold, soaked feet.

After walking up another long hill, I got a phone call. More problems. But you'll have to wait to hear about those!

Westminster Abbey and Roehampton . . .

Well. It is time for another update on the London excursions I've been taking.

First, the entire student body (from WNE) went with me on a field trip to Westminster Abbey on Friday. Everyone had a good time, entertained by our guide Tom who really knew his stuff. They did not allow pictures inside the Abbey and its chapels, but here is Tom regaling the group before we go inside:

We got there late, and I was a bit embarrassed by that, but Tom of London Walks (http://www.londonwalks.com) made us comfortable with his great stories, great humor, and engaging approach to the students.

Here are a couple of late shots as we were leaving the outer sanctum:

The third and fourth images are shots of St. Margaret's Church, the parish church of Parliament. My mother may enjoy those, being a Saint Margaret herself! The last is, of course, Big Ben (with the Millenium Wheel in the background).

And now, today, I took a trip to Roehampton. A very different kind of trip. Richmond is such a rich and privileged area. On this trip I had a chance to see the not-so-rich and to experience winter and spring together, both literally and figuratively.

First sights as I walked down Queen's Street:

Interesting mixture of blooming trees and stark skies. This mixture characterized the entire walk (5-6 miles). Down Queens street, toward Sheen, past Christ Church, into the park again, and down into Roehampton.

These images are from Sheen--still very wealthy and comfortable homes and the church.

Then into the deer park (still have not seen a single deer!). There I saw another pond that I now consider to be the "Gull Pond" south of Sheen Gate. The gulls were there, floating and hunting in full force, but they still did not scare off the ducks and swans:

Some more pics of the deer park below Sheen Gate:

Leaving on Prior Road, and walking toward Roehampton, I saw a change in the architecture and the capital of the people:

Roehampton was a darker place, with more trash on the streets, less elegant housing, and multiple security guards in the grocery store. I never felt uncomfortable, but it was a change in scenery from the privilege of Richmond proper.

The coming of Spring was still visible, but on the way home I saw both flowers and snow blowing in the air. The turning of the seasons. . .

More soon!