LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I started the walk at Chiswick Bridge with its wide and impressive towpath arches. The annual boat race finishing post was just after the bridge on the north bank. I passed the Stag Brewery at Mortlake, then walked along Mortlake High Street (A3003) leading to the terrace. The path was very rough after the brewery by Watergate Stairs. There were more boathouses around the impressive Barnes Railway and footbridge, as well as canoeists, cormorants and a heron. Very strangely, as I walked along Lonsdale Road (B350) I noticed a full-size white ornamental cow on a house balcony, with 'salt' written in big letters on its side, Am I missing something? The path was wide and ideal for joggers passing Chiswick Pier and Leg of Mutton Nature Reserve. I continued onwards past Dove Pier and Hammersmith Pier to Hammersmith Bridge, which was a very impressive suspension bridge with many decorative features. I passed Harrods village and Harrods store depository building to Fulham football stadium on the north bank, Then there was a surprise, the Steve Fairbourne Memorial, which was most unexpected. This led to another surprise, a protest, 'Stop the Shaft'. I don't know what the shaft was about or whether it's went ahead. I continued past Beverley Brook, Putney Pier and St Mary's Church, to Putney Bridge, for a short detour inland to Wandsworth Park. it was good to see the greenery again and cormorants on a disused river boat. there were lots of river houseboats and apartments from there to London and beyond. There were more detours away from the river, around Wandle River and again, just past Wandsworth bridge, circumnavigating apartment blocks. There were lots of impressive apartments around the heliport and Chelsea Pier railway bridge, then onto Battersea Bridge and the very impressive Albert Bridge which, unfortunately was under renovations as I passed. There was a wide, metalised path in Battersea Park, with its beautiful pagoda to Chelsea Bridge. There was a huge detour around Battersea Power Station, then back to the river and very impressive large houseboats. The next bridges were Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, with Lambeth Palace on the left and Westminster Palaces (Houses of Parliament) on the left. The last bridge of this walk, Westminster Bridge, was where I caught the bus back to then hotel. A fantastic walk, not to be missed on a sunny day.

Location Map: - Start: at Ham - Finish at Chiswick Bridge
(Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).