Geocaches - 12
Walk Inspiration - Time Out London Walks
Start - Vauxhall
End - Kew Bridge
In March, I completed the first leg of 29 mile walk along the Thames from Hampton Court to the Thames Barrier. I'm going to break it down into at least 3 legs, but the current thinking is to explore further east than the Thames Barrier. I am enjoying that much - the history, the interest, the flat walking and the easy navigation.
The fact there are some world class pubs has nothing to do with it.
I know that I am going upstream today. I want to make purchases from the Fullers Griffin Brewery, which will only weigh me down if I buy them at the beginning.
But where to start? I have walked the Thames through the centre of London so many times, that I decide to start at Vauxhall. It's an easy no tube change on the Victoria Line from Euston.
Emerge from the station and take a detour onto the bridge. It allows me to see James Bond's house and to grab a cache with more than 10 likes. There is every chance I will have a new geocaching Souvenir on my caching profile as a result.
James Bond's House and the Day's First smiley |
I am most jealous. Who could tire of the views? One balcony even has a hot tub on it. I rather fancy myself having a cold beer in a hot tub, watching the river traffic.
Construction Time Again |
Doggersea Bats Home |
Now I am onto a racetrack of a different sort containing two types of participants. I'm sharing my route with Lycra clad female joggers or blokes with beards on bikes, with a small child dragged along in a tug along carriage.
Each to their own. I'm entertaining myself by taking photos of bridges and finding tupperware.
Albert Bridge |
Cache GZ opposite Chelsea Power Station |
Still Grim |
Where's Michael Jackson? |
Like the Golden Gate. But Green. |
I take my pint of Fuller ESB out the back, up the metal stairs (only spilling a teaspoons worth on the people below) and enjoy my pint in the company of great views and a French Lady called Doris who is buying a flat around the corner.
The Dove from Below |
Views I am sharing with Doris |
It's a superb pint. But you would expect this, as we are 20 minutes walk from where it is made - the Griffin Brewery at Chiswick. And it's got a shop, an experience I can only liken as to when you come off a ride at Alton Towers and are dumped in the gift shop. Wall to wall tat, but this is beer based tat.
So I buy a T-Shirt. And a ceremonial ESB Chalice.
I would have bought 24 Bottles of ESB, but I only had my 18 litre rucksack on me.
My Spiritual Home |
The Strand on the Green marks the end of the Walk. Fittingly, there are three pubs within spitting distance of each other. The Bull's Head is rammed, the City Barge has been previously visited, so I settle on the Bell and Crown to end a great day's walking.
Pub Tastic - Strand on the Green |
Bulls Head - Packed |
Bell and Crown - More Sedate |
Fittingly, my Pint has the River on it. |
I enjoy a bit of urban walking from time to time. Your table was not level looking at the generous head on the beer. Good to see it pulled with a head though. There is a tendency in the south to serve it without. It's nearly as bad as leaving the skin on with fish and chips.
ReplyDeleteThe upper terrace at the Dove is probably my favourite place to have a drink.
ReplyDelete