Finally after talking about it for years, and planning for the last few months, I started Walking the Thames Path – in honour of reaching my OAP status; I’m now officially a Pensioner!! Best part of that…free bus pass. Oh and my pension pay-outs, although I won’t be retiring anytime soon on that!! But it will be good to get some of my hard-earned money back from HMRC
As mentioned in a previous post, due to current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions I was unable to proceed with my original plans to walk the whole of the Thames Path over a period of 3 weeks. So instead I took Rishi’s advice and pivoted LOL. Not that I want to take advice from a CONservative government representative, but nonetheless, I had to re-plan my plans….so to that end I decided to walk the first 5 stages as day trips…
I will, going forward, write in detail and share images from each day’s walk but for now I thought I’d give you a progress report, showing where I started and ended and how far I walked each day. I did 5 stages and make super progress reaching my target of walking from Erith in Kent to Staines-Upon-Thames in Surrey.
I had the most superb weather on 4 days of 5 and had a wonderful time just walking and exploring. My distances are not accurate to the mile according to measured distances because I tend to go off-piste and explore a church or building I may spot along the way, I also head off the path to take photos of things I may see in the distance, and for the sake of my ‘boots on’ walking challenges, I start measuring my kms from the minute my feet hit the platform at the relevant station/s, as well as my walk from home to the station (1.25kms each way). I’d love to measure just how much walking I do in transit, but that would just get too complicated….suffice to say that the walk from the platform at St Pancras via the Victoria Line underground passage, would I’m sure, add another couple of kms.
The timings too are not at all related to anything you may find in a guide book or online, because firstly I’m a slow stroller (although my daughter would contest that!!), I stop frequently to take photos of things that may interest me or I wish to share, and I stop quite often to rest my feet for 10-15 minutes a time or even 30 minutes if the mood takes me and I don’t have a deadline to meet. Or it’s a sunny day and I feel like just lying in the sun.
Planning the day trips wasn’t necessarily the easiest way of doing this because I had to take account of train times so I could get home before midnight LOL and also calculate the cheapest way to do the walk….e.g. buy a return ticket from point A to B after morning peak time, and then work out to which station I had to buy a single ticket to fill the gap between point C and point B. This was not only for timings but budgets as well. Although I did originally budget to use the cheaper train routes, I decided by day 2 that speed of transport was more important than food, so I increased my travel budget and reduced my food budget, and took sandwiches plus nibbles and fruit and a flask of tea with me. There’s also the issue of battery life on my phone. It seems to reduce rather rapidly because of all the photos I take….and the highspeed train has charging points. Also I’m not a great ‘staring out the window’ traveller and prefer to actually ‘do something’ while I’m travelling. So I move photos to dropbox and edit those I want to share….
So, in all I did 5 stages starting at Erith on 17th and reached Staines on the 24th. I didn’t walk consecutive days but had a 2 day break in between to rest and take my grandson out, and a one day break to spend with the family to celebrate my birthday. We had awesome fun – went to The Old Bake House in Broadstairs for breakfast, then a ramble on the beach, and a game of mini-golf which was hilarious…my grandson went crazy with his stick, whacking the ball all over. This was followed by crepes and fruit juice. Delicious, and a fantastic day.
without further ado…
Stage 1 : Erith to Greenwich. 17.04.2021 – 27.08 kms – 6 hours 47 min – 41,812 steps – elevation: 46 meters
I had originally planned to walk as far as the Thames Barrier which is the official starting point of the long-distance Thames Path route, but it was a beautiful day and I was having such a good time that I decided to push on to Greenwich, and thereby shorten my next day’s walking. This section was new to me. Although I have in the past walked from the Thames Barrier to Greenwich, the path from Erith to the barrier was completely new ground. The original section from Erith to the barrier was not the most scenic and there are a lot of really ugly industrial buildings and a sewerage plant (yes it smelled), but the path was amazingly straightforward, albeit bloody boring concrete a lot of the way.


Stage 2 : Greenwich to Battersea Park 18.04.2021 – 24.51 kms – 6 hours 20 min – 38,376 steps – elevation 102 meters
Again this day was longer than I originally planned, but I wanted to push through as far as possible and thereby get further along and also shorten a later day’s journey. I’ve walked this whole route dozens of times over the years, different sections at different times and absolutely love (almost) every inch of it. I did NOT like the diversions…..it’s so inconsiderate of developers to buy up property that runs alongside the river and build bloody apartments, thereby blocking people from walking along the riverside. This section also runs through the centre of London and has the most bridges, so I stopped a lot for photos. LOL Also in London’s past the riverside was very industrial as since the Thames is a marine hotbed, there are a lot of old buildings and wharves etc that hog the riverside. hmmm.

Stage 3 : Battersea Park to Richmond 21.04.2021 – 27.02 kms – 6 hours 24 min – 40,316 steps – elevation 82 meters
This day nearly bloody killed me LOL. It was much further than I calculated, or perhaps it felt like it because I started off already tired, and had a deadline for my train back home. It was though, one of the best days, walking familiar paths and passing familiar places where I spent many a happy hour walking in the past, and I got to meet a friend from instagram for a brief hello in Richmond. And despite my plans, I missed my train at St Pancras by literally 1 minute…as I got to the ticket barriers, I heard the doors being locked – ho hum!! ‘Hold that train!’ LOL

Stage 4 : Richmond to Hampton Court 23.04.2021 – 18.14 kms – 4 hours 47 min – 28,390 steps – elevation 40 meters
This day I had planned in celebration of my birthday. We used to live in St Margarets near Richmond and as with the previous stage, I often walked along sections of the Thames Path at different times; and in every season, including in the snow from Twickenham Bridge to Kew… 🙂 I also wanted to reach Hampton Court Palace on my birthday because it is my absolute favourite palace in the world and although I wouldn’t have time to actually visit, just walking past would make me happy. It was a belting hot day, so I had 2 ice-creams on the way…one in Richmond as I started and one in Hampton Court as I finished. Just because. My daughter had given me £5 to buy a tea and cake along the way, but I felt ice-creams were more appropriate…also I could eat and walk!

Stage 5 : Hampton Court to Staines-Upon-Thames 24.04.2021 – 25.16 kms – 6 hours 47 min – 40,560 steps – elevation 43 meters
Staines is infamous for being the ‘hometown’ of Ali G (Sacha Cohen Baron for those who don’t know, who was actually born in Hammersmith). Again this was a long day and because I only had 6 hours to walk this stretch, I really had to push myself. I was also quite tired by then and found the final stretch between Shepperton and Staines really difficult. I was tempted to quit at Shepperton , but I loathe quitting and felt like I would be letting myself down if I did and it would mean either an extra day later on, or longer sections going forward. This section was new territory for me and I decided to take the guide book along…just in case – I didn’t need it. The path is well marked all the way from Erith. The stretch from Richmond to Staines is quite rural and if you didn’t know there were towns nearby, you’d think you were right out in the countryside. I missed my deadline by 47 minutes, but still managed to get an earlier train from STP

What an amazing journey so far. The history of the River Thames is quite extraordinary and I discovered that the Vikings actually sailed right up the river as far as Chertsey, possibly further. We tend to think of them as coastal raiders and certainly they raided London a fair bit, but to my surprise they went as far as Chertsey…to raid the abbey. It was wonderful to revisit places I’d been before but not seen for years. Discovering new places and sections of my beloved river was a real treat. So even though I was really disappointed to not be able to walk The Thames Path in one go, in retrospect this is as good a way to ‘walk the walk’ as any. Frankly, I was quite exhausted by the 5th stage, and grateful I didn’t have to walk again for a while….how long that while will be is anyone’s guess. I have a few work bookings coming up, a few babysitting commitments and of course time with my grandson is more important than anything else and I try to spend as much time with him as possible between bookings…also I have 3 big walks planned for August/September that will take me away for nearly 6 weeks and those need to be saved up for. I have diarised another few days into my calendar to possibly do another 2 or maybe 3 day trips and then I’ll complete the rest of the walk in April 2022. Mostly because the accommodation is thin on the ground and VERY expensive. In comparison to accommodation on the Camino, it’s actually quite extortionate, but I’m guessing they don’t have that many guests and walkers staying over, so to charge £120 per night is reasonable – but WELL out of my price range. I’ll save the overnight excursions for out of season.
I will endeavour to write up and share images from these 5 stages as soon as possible. I subsequently created a preview; some short videos to show some of the fabulous sculptures and scenes of the river.
Meanwhile I’ve planned dates to continue walking sections of the Saxon Shore Way so I can get that under my belt, and of course my epic ‘walking the whole English Coast’ – I have a few dates diarised to fit some more days in for that as well this year. I hope to complete the Kent and Sussex coastline by end of 2021. I’ll still do small sections of other counties where and when I get the opportunity with work travel. Talking of which, I really must get to write up about the section of the South West Coast Path I recently walked….from Berry Head to Paignton and Paignton to Torquay. Super awesome walk and soooo beautiful. More on that later….
Well, firstly I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎉🎉 … and what a great gift to yourself to walk the Thames Path. You have walked quite long stages, but well done on completing your first 5 days! So glad you had (mostly) sunny weather and even managed to had a few ice-creams on one day! Looking forward to seeing photo’s of this walk 👍🏻.
Thank you ☺☺☺ I’m so glad I decided to just continue with the walk even though I had to change my plans…it was magic and I feel quite happy with what I’ve done so far…although its really only a fraction of the distance 🤭🤭
What a great challenge. You’ve walked such a long way in 5 days, and the good weather must have been fabulous. So much to see along the way and more history than that! How far you going to go?
Hi Jonno. Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate your comment.
Yes, it was rather a long way, but oh how marvellous it was…although my feet would disagree LOL.
The history of the river is phenomenal and I never tire of learning more. It was such a discovery to learn that the Vikings sailed as far as Chertsey.
I was planning on walking the whole route over 3 weeks, but as mentioned I had to shelve those plans. I’m going to try do another 2 sections via day trips and then complete the rest of the walk in April 2022. I’d love to finish it sooner of course, but I’ve got a number of other walks already planned for this year. Disappointing, but something to look forward to for next year.
This is a great read and you really are cracking on with the walk, you certainly get good mileage done. Living in London I would often go for a walk along random sections of the Path before house arrest although a little health scare last year has probably put paid to long-distances now.
I cannot believe you are doing this as day trips from BSR. Are you using the HST or going the slow way? Either way, it must still be costing you a fortune. Last time I was in Broadstairs was for the Blues Bash last year just before the world went mad and even with my “old codgers” rail pass it was still nearly £30.
I see you have the SSP pencilled in and that is something else we have in common as I did that as well a few years back. I must get round to writing it up on my blog but I am up to my eyes in Canada at present!
Good morning, and thank you for your lovely comment!! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading my rambles 😄😄
Yeah, day trips…ugh. but I was determined to get started, so it was inevitable. Mind you, I quite enjoy the time between (now) RAM and STP because it gives me an opportunity to transfer my images to the cloud and edit a few to post to sm. The cost….thankfully I’ve got a senior railcard and the fare would be much the same as if I stayed overnight, so its balanced out. The only disadvantage is that I have to push myself with the limited time and I get home so late…I literally fall into bed 😁😁 But on the whole its been good.
Oh yes, I have loads of walks pencilled in…but its frustrating having to work first 🤪🤪 I’d happily walk 80% and work 20% rather than the reverse. There are so many amazing walks in the UK. I wish I could do them all.
I’m keen to see what you’ve been up to in Canada!!
Yes, like you, I now qualify for an “old man’s” railcard although much good did that do me! I spent £30 on one last January, had one trip to Broadstairs for Blues Bash and a friends 40th, one trip to Oxford to see Jesse Malin and then I was placed under house arrest. It would have been cheaper to pay full fare!
I am sure you have looked at it but I would recommend the North Downs Way which I have also done (a very long time ago) and which would give you your first few days relatively close to home. I know you mentioned the Pilgrim’s Way in one of your posts and some of it runs together. Might be worth a thought although your diary seems to be fairly full.
I am looking forward to your next posts.
Speak soon,
Fergy.
Oh how annoying to have paid for the card and not been able to use it. Mine is used mostly for work trips because I travel at least twice a month, but I use it for myself as well, so I save quite a lot.
Yes, I’ve walked most of the North Downs Way….it does indeed run alongside the Pilgrim’s Way, but I diverged yo continue on to Canterbury. I’ve sort of toyed with the idea of walking the last stretch…
We had a saying in the mob, “S**t happens” and it happened to me. I am certainly not going to cry over it.
I thought you might have done some or all of the NDW, given your love of walking and the proximity. I know what you mean about the divergence, I chose to walk the SSP from the break point rather than the Canterbury arm, probably because I love “Planet Thanet” so much.
I do so hope we can meet at Folk Week this year, (Chinese virus regulations permitting) as I am sure we will have so many stories to swap.
Absolutely, it seldom helps 🤔🤔🤔
I’m hoping to get another 3 sections of the SSP under my belt during my next break and the section between Dover and Folkestone.
Ahh yes Planet Thanet…love it too. The coast between Ramsgate and Margate is one of my favourite places to walk when training for a big walk. Oh btw, did you see that Margate was recently voted ‘the worst seaside town’? 😝😝 my son-in-law is vindicated..he doesn’t like the place.
I’ve diarised the date for FW in my diary, so will definitely head over on one of the latter days…
I was quite sure it was called the SSP as well but a quick check now seems to indicate they have renamed it Way rather than Path for some inexplicable reason. I have walked Brosdstairs to Margate and Ramsgate many times, it is a good way to work up a thirst!
I didn’t see the survey you mentioned as I have more or less withdrawn from “the news” these days but it doesn’t surprise me, Margate is always getting “rotten tomato” reviews” and I know a lot of people in Thanet who don’t like the town. I always preferred Ramsgate to Margate myself but it is getting pretty rough recently.
Naturally, Broadstairs is my favourite of the Thanet Trinity as I call it. I just get my LOOP weekly pass and the world is my lobster as Del Boy once famously said, possibly on his beano to Margate! I love that episode.
Yes, I was a rad confused at first when you wrote SSP, but I quickly realised..of course; path, way..same thing.
Yeah that walk is lovely, especially in winter with a late sunrise and no-one about coz it’s cold…perfect.
I’ve never really taken to Margate tbh, although the beach is lovely, but yes, Ramsgate is becoming quite rough of late…and dirty. Gosh, the trash in the streets is appalling.
Like you, Broadstairs will always be my favourite of the 3. I must confess, I’ve never watched an episode of Fools and Horses, although I’ve seen brief snatches of Del Boy, its mostly during the adverts. But I love him in A Touch of Frost…
Ah yes, a Touch of Frost was brilliant especially as there were so many people who said he couldn’t do straight but he was brilliant in that, beautifully grumpy and cynical, a bit like Rebus if you are into the crime genre.
Oh I am, very much so. Love them all. My current favourite is Vera. She’s brilliant. I also loved that other grumpy copper…oh, I can never remember his name. He died not so long ago…drove a big maroon car. (Age is catching up with me 🤣🤣🤣 they say short term memory goes first 🤪🤪). His sidekick was ‘Lewis’. I am though not a fan of Midsomer Murders…dangerous place that!! 😱😱😁
But yes, David Jason was brilliant as Frost.
I have never seen Vera but I think you are referring to Morse with John Thaw in the title role and Kevin Whately as Lewis. He got his own spin-off series when Morse finished, I don’t know if you have seen it but I rather liked it.
Strangely, I have never seen Midsomer Murders but it leads me onto another of the strange coincidences that keep happening to me.
Literally ten minutes ago I put a comment on the blog of my dear friend Malc which was about Kitty Jay’s grave on Dartmoor.
https://www.easymalc.co.uk/kitty-jays-grave/
Malc is a dear friend of many years standing and a great blogger. In an answer to another correspondent he mentioned Seth Lakeman, a superb folk musician from the West Country who I like but had not listened to for a while until he “popped up” on my Spotify random play this morning.
Malcolm was mentioning a song about Kitty Jay but one of the albums I listened to not 12 hours ago was the music to Midsomer Murders which he recorded with Lucie Jones. Everything is getting a bit spooky at present!
Ooooo….those portals keep opening. I’m sure we live alternate lives in another dimension…
As for John Thaw, yes, my client who is 22 years older than me, reminded me of his name 🤣🤣 My brain was 😴😴😴
Vera is brilliant, but she keeps her cards close to her chest. You can see when the penny drops and she puts all the pieces together and knows who/what/why/where….but she doesn’t let on…😤😤 so you have to wait till nearly the end to find out.
We were watching Endeavour last night actually. But I never got to see the end…my client has control of the TV remote, so there are a lot of programmes I don’t get to see the end of…🤣🤣🤣 freaking annoys me.
I did like Morse and watched the odd Lewis but I have never watched Endeavour, I think it is a bit like flogging a dead horse really.
I have to say that changing the channel if I was watching something would probably be grounds for justifiable homicide, well I would call it justifiable anyway!
🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeah if only I could….
I just popped over to read the blog. Absolutely fascinating, especially about the flowers. I actually saw a post about this on the Conquer Challenges page on Facebook a few weeks back. I’ll have to add it to my ‘places to go ‘ list on Instagram
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