New group temperature record on riverside walk

A group of ten assembled at the Angler’s pub in Teddington on August 3, the first arriving with ample time to recline in deckchairs beside the Thames.  High temperatures were in prospect,  a forecast 34°C which would take the walking group into uncharted territory in the intensifying era of global warming. 

Serenading the passengers at Teddington Lock

 The route had been devised by Dick Jones, based on using public transport at start and finish. The group duly crossed the pedestrian bridge downstream from Teddington Lock, where a pleasure boat crowded with passengers was waiting to head upstream.  The chance was too good to miss and the boat was regaled with a spirited rendering of Jolly Roger which received resounding applause. 

The walkers continued along the Surrey bank with the heat tempered by the shade from trees and a welcome breeze from the river. The group moderated its pace when the path lost its covering and the sun beat down without relief. 

Waiting for the ferry - but would Anthony be there?

There was considerable discussion as to whether the planned rendezvous with Anthony Padgett, who was joining mid-walk, would materialise. After an hour the group reached the point where it needed to take a ferry to the Middlesex bank and the R&R stop at the Crown in Marble Hill.

Answer: Yes (photo John Marshall)

As the ferry hove into sight, the unmistakable figure of Anthony was lounging against the gunwales. He greeted the walkers as they went aboard, to be ferried across at a cost of just £2 each.  They managed two verses of Sloop John B before reaching the far bank

After a decent rest, the group continued along the footpath towards Richmond.  A breakaway group of two – Banners and Pete – went ahead in order to secure a table at the finishing pub, the White Cross in Richmond.  They thus missed a sing under Richmond Bridge conducted by Dick Jones.  The group was reunited on the terrace outside the pub, eventually commandeering enough tables to seat all eleven.

Appreciative drinkers at Richmond's White Cross. Centre rear, Steve Scott lookalike. Foreground right, Tony blows his nose.  Above him, Pete heads for the bar.  Photo John Parker

There was much interest in whether the high tide, predicted for 6.49pm, would rise sufficiently to flood the terrace, as it sometimes does. Meanwhile the walkers fed and watered themselves, and then broke into song, surprising and delighting the terrace’s other occupants.  High tide came and went without wetting anyone’s feet, and the sing continued until past 7pm, when the group set off for Richmond Station.

Neil Pontin had sent a warning that there were  no trains between Clapham Junction and East Croydon but by the time the group reached Clapham they had been restored.  The group fragmented at East Croydon, thanking Dick for organising such a delightful and enterprising outing.  Into the bargain, the walkers could pride themselves on establishing a new heat record,  to be recorded at 34C in the annals of the group history.