Distance: 21.9km (244.4km)
Steps: 32,037
I had the concrete skatepark on the South Bank all to myself this morning, other skateboarders wisely still at home in bed. Not Jezebel and myself though, we were on the 06:52 from Bexley and at London Bridge by 7:30 am in time to take a stroll through Borough Market, exchanging banter with the stallholders as we went.
The Hungerford walkways were closed due to Corona virus, so we crossed the river via Westminster Bridge and stopped for breakfast in Victoria Tower Gardens. I have always followed the riverside path on the south side but my Cicerone guide shows a path north of the river so we decided to follow it. It’s a very pleasant route.
We passed Millbank Tower and the Tate Gallery. There’s a really useful cycle lane on this stretch of the Embankment. I discovered the outlet of the River Tyburn, under a property named Tyburn House. Never knew that was there.
Just before Vauxhall Bridge is this sculpture ‘Locking Piece’ by Henry Moore. It has been there since the 1960s and I have always admired it when passing. Today is the first time I’ve got up close to it.
On the opposite bank is the huge residential development that was once Battersea Power Station. My old mate Mike Grice is spending £9bn of the developers’ money to turn this iconic building into a small town.
More evidence of the ‘Super Sewer’ as traffic is disrupted opposite the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners in their red coats.
Past the ‘Londoners’ Favourite Bridge’, Albert Bridge (tourists prefer Tower Bridge, I’m told but real Londoners know better).
Albert Bridge featured in the closing scenes of Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels.
There’s a sign on this bridge ordering troops to ‘break step’ for fear that the vibration of marching might damage the bridge.
Then came the houseboats at Chelsea. It is not possible to pass these by without discussing which one you might prefer to own. We also speculated as to which one belongs to Jezebel’s friend and former employer, Jamie Oliver. The red one with herbs growing in pots, near the kitchen door we reckoned.
We turned into Lots Road, in search of a café but there was none to be found. Jezebel got very excited about the huge engines/pumps in the Thames Water pumping facility there. Then, tucked away in an obscure corner of Chelsea Harbour, hiding its light under a bushel, we stumbled upon The Design Centre. What a lovely place. Chock-a-block full of interior designers, beautiful fabrics and posh furniture, it had the added benefits of a café and toilets. We settled there for lunch.
We arrived in Putney, the end of our journey today, at 2:00pm, where we stopped for a picnic in Bishops Park. Our special thanks go to Mr Damien Thorn (Volunteer Gardener) who gave us a fascinating guided tour of All Saints Church and the churchyard.
All Saints Church as it is today, and as it was in 1976
Sebastian's Swagger 