London Wanderings - along Smugglers Lane 29 Jul 2016

With Jeantine at work, it was a leisurely start for us, taking a wander under the Wandsworth Bridge to look for where Jeantine might have caught the ferry to work at Richmond. Past 'The Ship'Pub and along Smugglers Lane past the Waste Recycling area to find what looked like a little walk to a promontory (if it can be called that) by Bell Lane Creek Not a very pretty part of London

The tide being out further exposes the ugly look of the area but a couple of swans can help distract.

A sign of rejection. As much as Jeantine was thinking of a moored long boat / canal boat might be a housing option, we didn't think this would be quite up to standard.

A cluster of more serviceable long boats moored near Wandsworth Park and at the back (I think) the Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier where you can catch a Thames Ferry

Screen shot of the map of the area

I don't recall what Barb was pointing out here. The GPS indicates this is 57 Deodar Road. And the time and date stamp shows 1:06am 29 July - I figure that in NZ time, is around 2pm on the 28th?

Then we found ourselves in Brewhouse Lane, checking the inside of a store. The dog however had to remain outside but, was obviously wanting to keep an eye on its owner.
I found most of the urban London dogs, well trained and responsive to their owners commands, which was nice when we were out cycling the Thames Paths. This dog seemed keen to related to the doorman at this building.

The next day's walk saw us being eyeballed by another four legged creature - with a 'have you got something for me?' look.

London Wanderings - ACTA Wednesday ride 27 Jul 2016

Meeting again near the Wandsworth Bridge 8:30am, with Helen Williams (in blue) joining Steve, Annette, JB and Ray this time and again, getting a passer-by to take our group photo. Off to Weybridge today.

Our first coffee stop at the Fallow Deer. I think Steve, leading us with his GPS system was taking us on a zig zag through London Streets and this might've been the second cafe after passing an earlier option that we looked briefly inside. I was learning about keeping your bikes and gear secure, two bikes on one side of the tree outside and the other three chained through as one cluster. Plus the front bags being carried inside, which made for a tight spot to gather together at one table. Elbows in everybody.

Coffee revival and bike retrieval done, ready to head off toward JB's memory lane, through Richmond Park and down the Thames to Weybridge. Plus it turned out to be a sunny ride after a rainy start.

JB found some locals to chat to and discovered the Finnart House School for Jewish Boys had been closed and housing had taken its place in the intervening years. This area was part of JB's life experience when he was an apprentice builder who traveled with his firm from Liverpool to Weybridge, to work at this place - more details of Finnart House in this link. Street View of Finnart Close taken July 2015

We then cycled around to Churchill Drive and from the map perhaps the Finnart House School covered that area boarded by Churchhill Drive down to Oatlands Drive

After that explore around JB's stomping ground all those years ago, it was off to rejoin Helen who had diverted off to meet people she knew at the local, The Crown - It was Helen's friend seen in the mirror.

The Publican's were Kiwis and they organised for us park our bikes out back, behind the locked gate. Helen made her own way to her London abode and the rest of us found ourselves going past Ham House as we headed toward the Richmond Railway Station.

Annette thought this place looked promising as a base for the London Chapter of our ACTA group.

We all swopped to a train ride back to our nearest stations - mine being Clapham Junction, on board by 3:49pm ahead of the recommended cut off time of 4pm. No problems for me on my train journey this time, unlike the next, and my final of joint rides around London.

I see Steve listed the Queen as his contact, Mrs Windsor indeed.

Back to London wanderings, Monday evening 25 Jul and Tuesday 26 Jul 2016

Back from our day trip to Canterbury and Jeantine home from work, time for a twilight walk on the Thames Pathway near the Wandsworth Bridge. 9:08pm

Lavender in the twilight - 9:09pm

Helpful explanatory display boards

Photo by Jeantine

Enjoying the longer evenings - 9:27pm
Then next day Tuesday 26th

back to Battersea Park for Barb and I, while Jeantine has a day at work

A variety of birds, checking out what is on offer

Looks like a dispute over the pickings

'Of a feather'

No wings though to get these creatures up above the ground. We sat on a park bench with some parents / older people calling out their encouragement to those who were being a little hesitant to step out.
London is wonderful with the parks that we had experienced. Battersea being within short walking distance from our airbnb in Ganley Court. Battersea Park was to be the rendezvous point for my last ride with ACTA members, Steve, Annette and JB, meantime, this next day, Wednesday 27, I was to look and learn about how Weybridge was an influence in JB's early years as an apprentice builder.