Stage 6: Richmond to Hampton Court

Dear Bertie

Another walk - 2 days in a row! Daddy requested the Windsor stage when your French Grandma is here for Christmas so we are cracking on to get two done this week.

Today we started back in Richmond. I didn’t check the met office correctly and it was drizzly as we arrived. We went to a rather smart white tablecloth restaurant on the river while you ate, pooed and vomited, and then we started on the river path. 

Next to the river, you saw a man was painting a very pretty watercolour of Richmond Bridge. 

We walked past the grand Ham house which was built in 1910. 

We saw a big lock at Teddington and more rowing clubs with very long boats.

This part of the Thames path is very familiar as Mummy and Daddy have done a lot of cyclocross rides along it, but we normally stop in Kingston and today you and I are continuing along! 

After crossing Kingston bridge I told you about the 2.5 mile swim I did from Hampton Court to the bridge here a few years ago. It was the summer and I didn’t wear a wetsuit and it was fun dodging the boats. Maybe you will swim in the Thames one day! 

On the barge path to Hampton Court Palace, we saw lots of squirrels climbing up the trees and hunting for nuts. The path runs alongside the posh golf course where Mummy did some filming once. 

You woke up just in time to see the very grand, golden gates of Hampton Court Palace where Henry VIII lived, but more recently, Mummy and Daddy watched the 2012 Olympic time trial and we ‘met’ Fabian Cancellara, our favourite time trialist! 

We boarded the train and I fed you while we headed home for tea!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 14.6 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 1 mid nap

Strava Link:

https://www.strava.com/activities/2013534566 

Stage 5: Barnes to Richmond

Dear Bertie,

Today you are 19 weeks old. I chose a lovely sunny day for our next stage along the South side of the river - Barnes to Richmond. 

We had a lovely brunch in a cafe with a bike hanging on the wall and the waitress thought you were very cute! 

We walked past the Wetland Centre on the way back to the river path and I told you about when I came here with Auntie Lise and we got bored bird spotting in the wooden huts. Maybe you will be more patient than us. 

We saw some rowers in a long thin boat who were all wearing funny Santa hats to celebrate Christmas. 

There are lots of rowing clubs all along this part of the river training for the famous Oxford/ Cambridge river boat race.

We passed the Harrods building which is where they used to store stock from the fancy Knightsbridge store and is now luxury flats, of course. 

We walked underneath Hammersmith Bridge which was built many years ago in 1887.

We then walked past the statue of the man who started the famous river boat race in the 1800's, many years before you were born!

We arrived in Richmond where Daddy and I have spent a lot of time cycling, running, eating, drinking and walking. 

All the pubs were very busy with Christmas parties, but we found a spot for you to eat and play with gold pine cones while Mummy had a fishfinger sandwich, then we headed off home! 

TOTAL DISTANCE: 17.61 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 2

Strava Link:

https://www.strava.com/activities/2012011271 

Stage 4: Vauxhall to Barnes

Dear Bertie.

Today you are 19 weeks old and I think I’ll start counting in months soon!

We started our walk very close to our house in Vauxhall, next to the MI6 building. 

We crossed the bridge and walked along the Albert Embnakment, (yes that’s your name too!) Mummy and Daddy have cycled along this road many, many times. We spot Battersea Power Station.

We then walked through Battersea Park which is next to our house and has a bright gold Buddha statue in it.

Past Albert Bridge, my favourite Bridge in London, which also shares your name.

Along through Wandsworth it’s very industrial and we pass the recycling centre, which Mummy loves as it's very organised!

Through Putney, the path turns from concrete to mud and we start seeing rowers everywhere.

 

Before arriving in Barnes for a late lunch then we head home in time for your bed-time. 

TOTAL DISTANCE: 15 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 0

Strava Link:

https://www.strava.com/activities/1999801058

Stage 3: Canary Wharf to Vauxhall

Dear Bertie.

Today you are 18 weeks old. It’s a fun city leg of our walk today with lots of landmarks to spot and we meet someone special for lunch... can you guess who?

We start in Canary Wharf in Weatherspoons where lots of workmen are eating fry-ups for breakfast and averting their eyes while I feed you!

We head back on to the river path in glorious sunshine , and soon we start entering the city and Tower Bridge which opens in the middle for big boats to pass through. 

The Tower of London which was used as a prison many years ago. 

We start seeing lots of big buildings, old ones like St Paul’s Cathedral and new ones like Daddy’s office. - 

We meet Daddy for lunch and you have lots of cuddles with him while we eat burritos.

We wave Daddy off as he goes back to his office and we re-join the path, crossing the wobbly Millennium Bridge.

Past the Tate modern and The National Theatre and we see some young trendy skateboarders doing tricks.

Then we pass Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye. 

We have to dodge lots of tourists at Westminster bridge, but I put my arms around you so you don’t get bashed. The sun comes up over the Houses of Parliament where politicians are currently arguing over Brexit. 

Then it’s the last leg to Vauxhall and we catch a bus home as Mummy’s legs are tired!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 13 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 1

Strava Link:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1993207851

Stage 2: Woolwich to Canary Wharf

Dear Bertie,

Today you are 17 weeks old and completed stage 2 of our Thames walk. We headed back to Woolwich Arsenal and I had a delicious bacon brioche in the pub while you guzzled milk and did an enormous projectile poo while I changed you. 

Heading on to the path it was rather grey and blustery with clouds threatening rain! This part of London near Greenwich is more familiar now as it where Daddy and I have come to see gigs at the O2 and drink beer at the Meantime Brewery, our wedding beer! We pass so many landmarks on the way and I tell you stories about all of them.

The O2 where we once watched Britney Spears with our friends Anna and Kimmers. 

Cutty Sark where we had a boozy night out with the Royal Navy once.  Mummy got very drunk on jugs of gin before demanding that Byron serve us burgers after closing time.  They refused!

You woke up in Greenwich and looked at all the beautiful old naval buildings, you had a quick feed in a traditional pub down a rainy cobbled street.

And then for the most exciting part - The Greenwich Foot Tunnel. We took a big old wooden lift deep below the river and walked underneath the Thames.  It smelt old and dusty and there was an echo at which you looked around very perplexed.

Our final leg along the North side of the Thames took us to the tall buildings and sparkling lights of Canary Wharf, where lots of people wearing suits work in the banks.  We ended up in All Bar One for a nappy change - (no facilities, done on the toilet floor!) - and a feed with bemused city workers looking on.

You then joined the queues of commuters lined up very neatly on the Jubilee Line platform, (this is the only station in London which is organised in this way!), before heading back on the train for bedtime.

TOTAL DISTANCE: 17.01 KM
Breastfeeding stops: 3
Nappy changes: 3
Crying episodes: 0, yah!

GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37898146

Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1986061165

Logistics:
Home to Woolwich journey time: 1hr 10 
0830 leave home, Bertie naps in carrier 1.5hrs 
0850 Train CLJ to Waterloo - walk to Waterloo East 
0915 Train to Woolwich (bound Dartford) 
0945 Arrive Woolwich, walk to pub on river 
1000 feed Bertie 
1100 start walk from Woolwich to Canary wharf: 13.5k, 3hrs 
1400 arrive Canary Wharf, feed Bertie 
1600 Jubilee Line/ Waterloo to CLJ home, Bertie naps en route - 1hr 
1700 Home for feed

Feeding stops:

Guard House, Woolwich: https://www.theguardhousewoolwich.co.uk

All Bar One, Canary Wharf: https://www.allbarone.co.uk/national-search/london/all-bar-one-canary-wharf

Stage 1: Erith to Woolwich

Dear Bertie.

Today you were 15 weeks old, and it was the first day of our 'Walking the Thames' adventure - a 184 mile journey, broken into 23 stages spread over the next few months before I return to work. Stage 1 saw us head far East to Erith near Dartford, and the sun shone for our grand depart!

After using various means of transport, we arrived in Erith to bright autumn sunshine and blue skies. (Strictly speaking Crayford Ness is the mouth of the Thames, but I couldn't get a train there so here is our start!) After a quick pit stop in Costa for your second breakfast (milk) and mine (strong coffee), we headed out to join the path. 

Having never walked further than Tower Bridge, I am surprised to see how industrial it is this end of the Thames. There are no tourists, and only a few locals and workmen along the path. We see the Ford Factory where they make cars, and lots of building plants with bricks, cement, steel and some huge boats carrying building supplies going past. You are fascinated by the workmen in high vis re-surfacing the path in digging machines.

Around 13.00 you kick off, squirming and screaming rather loudly in my ear.  Feeding time! Finding a grassy spot beside the river, we set up camp for a quick feed. Some local birdwatchers are bemused by this and look the other way through their binoculars! 

We approach the end of the stage at Woolwich Arsenal, which carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. There are lots of old cannons and you sit on a big one and look bemused!

We find a cosy pub and settle into a lovely leather sofa next to a cosy fire for our lunch before taking the train/tube/ bus home in time for your bedtime!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 13.04 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3
Nappy changes: 3
Crying episodes: 1

GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37791624

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1964353405 

Logistics:
Home to Erith: 1hr 25 
0830 77 bus to Waterloo East 
0915 train to Erith (dartford)
0955 Arrive, walk to Erith shopping centre 
1000 Feed Bertie in Costa
Walk to start location = 15 minutes 
1130 start walk from Erith to Woolwich: 2 hrs 15, 11km 
1400 feed Bertie in Woolwich
1500 Woolwich to Waterloo (CX) 
1531 77 bus home or train to CLJ 
Home by 1700 for feed!

Feeding stops:

Costa in Erith - Riverwise shopping centre, 21A Town Sq, London DA8 1SE

The Dial Arch Pub in Woolwich - comfy sofas for feeding, baby change, good lunch menu: https://www.dialarch.com/

Walking the River Thames - the route

So Bertie - here is our big challenge ahead - walking the Thames Path. 

We will be going from the Thames mouth in London to the source in Cirencester, 184 miles, which is the length of over 3000 football pitches! - 

Here are some of the lovely landmarks and nature we will see along our way - 

And here is the elevation of the route. We will be going from sea level up to 160m above sea level.

Let's do it!