LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I took the bus to Upper Ham Road, Ham for the start of the walk. I cut through streets to the Thames tow path where blackberries were ripe by the tennis courts. Itwas a good path to Teddington Lock along Ham Riverside Lands, with impressive detached houses on the opposite bank and pleasure boats moored on the Ham bank. There was an excellent finger post at the lock footbridge, showing the alternative Thames paths on both banks and the cycle route. I took photos of the lock from the bridge before returning to Ham bank to pass the Teddington Weir salmon ladders. There were lots of flora around the Young Mariners Base and past Eel Pie Island. There were magic views of Royal Star & Garter Homes on Richmond Hill as an impressive paddle steamer passed by. I passed the passenger ferry to Twickenham at another good finger post, then flood defences before the bend to Richmond Bridge, and Twickenham Bridge. At that point the path was common with Capital Ring to Richmond Rock Bridge. There the river bank was busy with lots of people milling around, some enjoying a drink outside 'The White Cross' public house. Richmond Lock was not visible due to high tide the tidal water completely submerging the lock gates. I continued around the edge of Old Deer Park and spotted a heron fishing on the shore of Isleworth Ait. I passed Isleworth with memories of the Capital Ring route through Syon Park. The path was good passing Kew Gardens but visibility of the river was restricted due to heavy undergrowth. However, views opened up for a short distance to see the impressive Syon House. There were more memories of completing the Grand Union Canal arm as I passed the River Brent on the opposite bank, by the Thames Lock. I passed the splendid red-bricked Kew Palace on my right on the way to Kew Bridge and Kew Pier. By the bridge there was a strange stone, a metre high, with a keyhole shape through the middle. I passed a new housing estate on the right with a colourful meerkat at the neighbourhood watch sign. After the railway bridge I passed the National Archives, before reaching Chiswick Bridge, the end of the walk. This was also the end of the boat race which took place each year. Boathouses and Chiswick Steps were just before the bridge. It was a short walk down Clifford Avenue to catch the bus back to the hotel. It had been another varied and interesting walk along the Thames.

Location Map: - Start: at Ham - Finish at Chiswick Bridge
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