Walking down the Thames

Now that we know that beer does not make you fat we can move on.

Saturday morning we walked about five miles thru Kensington gardens and Hyde park. This week is the anniversary of Princes Diana's death and there were a lot of flowers and letters left at the palace gate.

And even though we have been there a lot we always seem to find something new. This statue was in an area that dogs are not permitted, 

Coach is good for about 4 miles, Anything after that and he looks like this the rest of the day.

Its his way of chilling out after a long walk.

Sunday morning we were off and going earl. We would be starting at Hammersmith 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith

and walking from there down the Thames.

The first thing you see as you reach the Thames is the Hammersmith Bridge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_Bridge

This is the second bridge to cross here. The first built in 1827 and the current one built in 1887. 

the bridge also has a history of being bombed by the IRA.

The walk would take us by a few pubs. The first one we walked by was the Blue Anchor, it was established in 1722.

This is also a big rowing area, we would pass numerous rowing clubs. 

Today we would see them practicing. A big race 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boat_Race

held annually since 1856 passes by here. 

Lee and Coach walking down to a landing to get a better look. The river was at  low tide at the time we walked thru.

A sign at the Dove pub, 

http://www.dovehammersmith.co.uk/about

Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Ernest Hemingway are just a few of the famous people that have been here. It was opened in the 17th century.

The first telagraph was sent from this house.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Ronalds

On to the next pub was the Old Ship, opened in 1720's.

The next section had less pubs and more houses. This would be the high rent district with houses going for over 10 million pounds.

An out of the way road with not much traffic, perfect for walking the dog.

And something  every neighborhood should have, a brewery at the end of the street. 

This is Fuller's, Griffin brewery sight. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuller%27s_Brewery

At the brewery is the oldest wisteria plant in the U.K. It was planted in the 19th century.

We now are heading down Church street----of course there is a church on the street. 

St. Nicholas Church as with a lot of churches in England was started centuries ago. The current building was built in the 1880's.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Nicholas_Church,_Chiswick

There are a lot of famous people buried here, and if your English you would know them. As for Leanne and I we didn't recognize anyone.

Except for this guy, James Abbott McNeill Whistler

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Abbott_McNeill_Whistler

He did  painting called "Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1".

 We know it as "Whistler's Mother".

It went like this, 

Mom, the model didn't show up. Let me do your portrait instead.

Do i have to stand or sit?

You have to stand.

  I want to sit.

Nobody want's a painting of someone sitting.

 My feet hurt, you can't expect me to stand all day for this.

OK, than just sit there.

At low tide this ship is going nowhere. 

We would now be walking thru Chiswick house and gardens. We had walked thru here last year so i will not bore you with the same info. 

We did pass a fairy house, complete with lights and a front door. It looks like they may have had a storm last night and still haven't cleaned up the place.

Over here they don't have "Yield" signs.  

Coach decide it was time for a much needed drink. 

This is the Kew Railway bridge, opened in 1869

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kew_Railway_Bridge

It amazing that these bridges are over 100 years old and still working fine and the bridge in my home town of Manchester, Michigan had to have its bridge completely rebuilt and it was only 40 years old. 

Here is a row of Almhouses built in the 1720s for elderly people that could no longer work to pay rent. An old version of a retirement home.

As years went by they were renovated and plaques were put up to show who payed for it.

the last person was B. Hopkin Morris in 1933.  

They are now private resident housing.

This section of the Thames had a flooding problem until the 1983. That is when the Thames Barrier was put into place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thames_Barrier

They are miles down stream from where we are now. Here is a pic of what they look like.

Before then owners would put up protective doors and gates to stop the water from going in the house.

or have half doors.

As you can see by this house, it had a short front door

 and places to put gate boards for the doors and 

windows

This house dates back to 1690 and is the oldest house on this stretch.

 

On our way to catch our ride back home we stopped to watch a Cricket match. We do understand it a little. This is how much we know so far. 

They throw the ball,

 they hit the ball and they catch the ball.

As we learn more we will let you know.

There was a small market going on when we neared the train station. Lots of good stuff and even more bad stuff. 

We bought some good things like bread and cheese and then headed for a pub called "Tap on the Line". The bar in my home town is simply called "The Tap" so it was almost like being home. Well not really, we miss our family and friends from the states whenever we do our walks and wish they could be here to share in our adventures.

Here we are heading back home and i'm trying to have Coach strike a good pose. Looks like i'm falling asleep but i'm not. I guess i need to be ready for the picture next time.