Start - Banstead
Finish - Kingston
Caches - 2
Striking lucky with the weather again on the London Loop. A glorious summer day, where suntan cream was liberally applied to the back of my neck and the peak of my Rohan adventure cap got on most of my Autographer camera pictures.
First the train journey. Excitement at passing Wembley, on this, Cup Final Day. The joy of seeing very early Hull Fans with their misplace optimism on the tube. Kick off only 9 hours away, boys.
Then Victoria Station. Breakfast and a chance to see Micheal Portillo striding purposely across the concourse. Presumably on a great Train Journey somewhere.
Then the train to Banstead. It takes as long as the train from Birmingham International to London. You cannot relax, as the tannoy reads off every station that it is going to stop at. I could recount them for you now. They are etched on my brain.
Alight. Normally I am a solo London Looper but I do have Sonia with me. She was interested in Kingston. Less so on the 11 miles that we have to walk today. And there are more, a solo lady looper - who sets a mean pace and we follow for most of the journey and another looper couple who walk so slowly that they are probably still out there now.
We stride off across the golf course with me able to regale Sonia with my tales of how I actually had to run across this very terrain to try and catch the hourly Banstead Train last time. I failed, both in keeping my dignity and getting the train.
We are welcomed into Ewell with a suitably impressive sign.
Looks Promising |
Nonsuch Park |
Only architectural remains |
We arrive at Ewell. This is a joy, even if its hard work crossing any of the traffic bound roads. Seems a very pretty little village, with a few pubs and a very pleasant stretch through Bourne Hall grounds.
If I had an arch, I too would stick a big dog on top of it |
Sonia instructs a 15 year old on the art of Chicken Defrosting from the Loop |
Army Games in the Grounds. |
But where are the Geocaches in this Story, I hear the regular blogfans cry? Well, its all very disappointing. Cache number one on a trail is meant to be at the sit of a bridge that runs under another bridge.
Russian Doll Bridge Making |
So with no caches, its back to the walking. Its an effort. I suggest we break up the journey and stop at a rather nice looking Toby Carvery. Sonia wasn't having it. She said if she stopped, she would never get going again. I notice that she starts spending too much time looking at the information on bus stops.
We spy our lady looper several times but lose here. She has sent a mean pace but in true tortoise and the hare style, we find her collapsed on a bench on the outskirts of Kingston. Eat our dust, we will be the first to a Kingston Bar.
Getting Close to Kingston |
We look around for a suitable hostelry and the river is an obvious choice. Too obvious, every one else has the same idea and its packed.
No room at any of the Inns. Just a photo of the bridge. |
We venture back into town and hit the Druids Head. A great decision - superb food and very quick service. Just what we needed.
Lure me in with your signage |
Time for a facebook checkin |
Hope to be there in June.
No comments:
Post a Comment