Walk completed August 16, 2014

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

August 12, 2014 -- Day 58, Thames Path, Richmond to Pimlico, 18 miles

I’m back in the countryside again. Well, if you look at the map, you’ll see I’m still surrounded by urbanity, but much of today's walk felt like the country, and large promenades made even the city portions enjoyable. Apartments built along the river were planned with wide riverside plazas adjacent to the walkway, giving even private property a park-like setting.

The Thames from Richmond Bridge

Battersea Park along the river

Very upscale apartments

You will recall that yesterday’s walk concluded at Vauxhall Bridge, and Ben led me to the Pimlico underground station to return to North Greenwich. Today I took the underground to Richmond, and walked back along the river to Pimlico. My GPS says the distance walked was 18 miles, but it didn’t seem that far.

Immediately upon leaving Richmond, the Thames Path runs alongside the Old Deer Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens – thus the countryside feeling.
In very short order I reached the Richmond Lock and Weir, where an illuminated signboard notifies boaters of a £5 charge for passing through the lock. No other lock that I am aware of charges boaters to pass through. Intrigued, I asked lock keeper Jim for an explanation. He not only provided an explanation, but described how the system works. (In a nutshell, vessels mooring in areas controlled by the Environment Agency pay a license fee, which includes lock fees. The tidal Thames up to Teddington Lock is controlled by the London Port Authority. The Port Authority doesn’t include lock fees in whatever charges it levies on vessels, so any vessel passing through Richmond Lock is charged.) Jim  also gave me a map of the river, and warned me that the tides for the next few days will be exceptionally high, and will spill onto the footpath in places. (I then recalled seeing a full moon this morning, explaining the high tide.)

 
Jim

Despite the length of today’s walk, it was very enjoyable. I didn’t find any mystery plants, so I spent my time photographing bridges. Below is a selection of what I thought were the prettiest -- many had been freshly painted, perhaps for Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee two years ago. I think I can name most of the bridges, but perhaps somebody more knowledgeable will correct any mistakes I’ve made.


Twickenham Bridge

Kew Bridge

Barnes Bridge



Hammersmith Bridge



Putney Bridge
Albert Bridge

Chelsea Bridge



© 2014 Ken Klug

3 comments:

  1. So many bridges so little time, love all the pics I missed since I left for Glenwood Springs!

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  2. Hi Ken, i met you as part of a group of mums and daughters just outside Alfriston, earlier in your trip. Planning our next voyage but this time along the arun river and i thought of you.... I'm enjoying browsing your blog, but your picture of Chiswick Bridge is actually Barnes Bridge, a pedestrian and railway bridge.
    Hope you have plans afoot for a voyage this year

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Charlotte. I've corrected the caption to properly identify the bridge.

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