The "Wiki" text which accompanies this shot is well detailed. It takes very little imagination to think of how this area smelt in low-flow, midsummer conditions before the barrage was installed..
We start from here - just downstream of the lock, which was undergoing maintenance. Good solid path and wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to coexist.. Keep an eye out for the old meridian on the path.. King's Time, no less (for Parliament), predates Greenwich Mean Time
Access bridge to the Old Deer Park - on the left..
Twickenham Road Bridge - built 1933..
Approaching Richmond Rail bridge - First built in 1846 serving the Richmond-Windsor line. Modified and reopened in1908. Richmond Bridge just visible through the arch..
Approaching Richmond . We will take a little circular walk from here (Old Palace Lane) later which will take in the Star and Garter just visible up on the hill..
Closer look at the Rail Bridge construction..
Path width starting to shrink. Old folks with dogs, children, baby buggies, strollers, posers and twenty five mph Lycra louts all trying to mix it on a sunny weekend. Okay, I suppose, if you like that sort of thing...
Approaching Richmond Bridge - remember this section is still tidal..
Richmond Bridge. See and be seen..on a good day..
Just a glance back at the two bridges.. They look like they might be there for some time yet..
The "Lady Mayoress" - a shallop if my memory serves me.. Shallops, wherries, skiffs - all have a very similar construction and, of course are very traditional..
Richmond Bridge (from downstream) - built 1777 to replace the old ferry
Richmond Bridge f(from upstream) Note the water level..
Leaving Richmond..The path has opened out again and the water is rising..
Moody? - not really- just the light playing tricks. That is Petersham meadow ahead.
This is an underpass which leads to terraced gardens on Richmond Hill. If the kids are playing you up..you can tell them about the trolls that live in there.. Twenty minutes of bliss as you carry straight on..
Water starting to encroach on the meadow.. Spring tide you see.. It is still brackish water.. You are in an estuary..
Port of London Authority patrol --
That water is still rising..I think that we will be cutting across the meadow instead of swimming for it..check how things are on the next bend..
Sure enough.. It is still rising and that fisherman is packing in for a bit.. We will retrace our steps for about fifty metres where we can find a 'loo' in fair condition and a little swing gate which lets us on to the meadow..
We are on the meadow.. What are those? Oh! Yes, the nursery rhyme says it - Little Boy Blue, come blow up your horn. The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn... That's it - They're sheep! Gotta go to the cornfield to find the cows! Innit!?
Magnify this image and you will see the wall which effectively acts as a dam against the river. This is Petersham meadow, this is London - whouda thought that then?
Crossed the meadow - then down this path.. some nice potholes..
Turn right at the bottom here..
Follow down to the German school and follow the path to the left of the school gate. It will take you down to the cricket ground and Ham House nursery.. Watch yourself ! Double decker buses run here and one on each side of the road can leave you feeling distinctly sardineish!
Et voila! The edge of the cricket ground and the rear view of Ham House..
Turn right at the edge of the cricket ground and follow this path to the front face of the building and turn left..
Read your handy "Wiki" and continue along this road until you get to the end - turn right and you will have arrived in a free car park.
Just a lookback at the view behind us..
A look back view from the car park. The Royal Star and Garter Home dominant on Richmond Hill..
The tide is still rising and the water is still salt and those are seabirds and this is still an estuary....
Oh! Dear! Heavy Lunch?
Waterside living - Mosquito's larder! Eel Pie Island..
That craft doesn't look healthy...
This is the bit that winds me up. Leaf mould on top of slimy clay. Treacherous, horrible stuff and very tiring to walk on. The various agencies will not thin the waterside bank to let the wind dry the path ..They allow the general detritus to pile up on both sides so that a slime channel is generated..Brilliant! Clear one side and let it drain! Please!
and more!
Breathing space - but we are looking a bit swollen around here.. "Not cutting the grass again today dear?" - the tide is halfway up the garden...
I knew this was a long walk! I'm in Florida...
The official end for the Port of London Authority saltwater boys..and the start of the problems for the Environment Agency..
But does the Environment agency care? Not a bit of it!
Aha! Civilisation! Maybe?
This looks like something watery is going on..
It is indeed Teddington and this is their Barge Lock - can take six barges plus tug..
Long isn't it? and it is freshwater behind us.. at last we have arrived at the Thames! My feet are killing me and I have yet to find a bus...Turn to your right - follow up a well-surfaced road for a kilometre until you see your bus stop. A frequent service will drop you in to Kingston-upon-Thames.
