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.
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The Thames from Richmond Bridge |
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Battersea Park along the river |
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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.)
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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.
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Twickenham Bridge
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Kew Bridge |
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Barnes Bridge |
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Hammersmith Bridge |
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Putney Bridge |
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Albert Bridge |
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Chelsea Bridge |
© 2014 Ken Klug
So many bridges so little time, love all the pics I missed since I left for Glenwood Springs!
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
ReplyDeleteHope you have plans afoot for a voyage this year
Thanks, Charlotte. I've corrected the caption to properly identify the bridge.
Delete