Royal Wedding Eve and an amble not a ramble - Take two!!

It wasn't a usual East End Girls walk, taking us hours to cover a relatively small distance but then again, this was no usual occasion.

Earlier in the week, I had an email from Christine one of my dear friends and original East End Girls who said -

"Hi Heather,
I am going for a walk in London come what may next Thursday evening, just to drink in some of the Wedding atmosphere and wondered if you and any of the East End girls fancied an evening walk.  I remember going to London the night before Diana and Charles' wedding and it was fantastic.  Regents Street and the mall look brilliant and just want to see it all in real life, what do you think? "
Love Chris xx

There's Chris and I at Horse Guards Parade later in the walk.

It sounded like a great idea and somehow I ended up being the person to organise it, not quite sure how that happened but.... Anyhow, we met up at Green Park tube on the park side at 6.00 and headed off. We were a motley crew of 6 at that stage, Christine, Barb and Sonia, all East End Girls, my daughter, Ellie and Gemma, the girlfriend of one of Christine's sons.

The park was fairly busy but none of the campers I'd expected to see as yet, perhaps they were to arrive later. Temporary walkways had been laid down and large screens also erected to show the festivities the following day. As we walked through they were showing images of the happy couple.

A lot of the park had been fenced off to allow access to where the temporary studios were  built to allow the best of views from where the world's media would broadcast and it was amazing to see the work that had gone into something like this.

Finishing touches were being put in place for the studios but live broadcasts were also going on and we were to see much more of this at Westminster Abbey.

Pavements are not the most comfortable to sleep but on an occasion like this many were willing to take the chance and at 6.30 there were many people setting up camp, but also a number of places available which surprised me, many were front row views. This photo is at Buckingham Palace where the place was really buzzing and full of atmosphere, a wide range of nationalities and numerous look alike some so uncannily real that you did a second take. Everyone was happy and smiling and very happy to talk. As you can see from the photos, the flags were stunning both those on the flag poles and lamp standards as well as ones of the couple on tents and barriers.


Similar views were to be seen right along the Mall  where people were only too happy to chat and have photos taken. They'll be appearing in photo albums and blogs throughout the world I'd think.

There were also entire families and people of all ages with not only tents but chairs, blow up beds, tables and camping stoves and the champagne was flowing. Well if you're going to do it, it has to be done in style. I could see Ellie was wondering if perhaps we should have planned to camp out!

Rain had been forecast but there looked like not a drop in the offering and I think that might have deterred some.

These ladies were all the way from San Diego! Wonder if they know CF?

I love this photo of the Mall in the evening sun resplendent with it's decor but also the colours of the people and the cyclists I imagine just trying to get home.

From the end of the Mall we turned towards Horse Guards and it was interesting to photograph our iconic images like the London Eye in  juxtaposition with the portaloos, vital facilities. The Eye was seen by us again later as we walked through Trafalgar Square when it was later and darker and it looked stunning adorned with lights of red, white and blue.

From here it was across Horse Guards and out onto Whitehall where we bought flags and stopped to look down Downing Street. I can remember when you could walk along Downing Street and when there was no need for large gates and heavily armed police.

Next stop Parliament Square and my favourite photograph of Winston Churchill in the foreground surrounded by multiple Union Jacks.

The Great West Door of Westminster Abbey is indeed grand, just look at that workmanship but I was a little disappointed here that there wasn't more decoration. It seemed plain in contrast to the Palace but then again I suppose use and function has something to do with it. I've never actually visited this building, should add it to the list.

There was a lot going on though - we were trying to meet up with Mel and Byrony which was proving a challenge. There was a lady playing drums as she walked up an down, people from all arts and parts moved around and there was a very stunning lady dressed in what may have been an evening dress or was it a wedding dress without the veil? Not sure and it also wasn't clear if she was a look alike or not.

Here there was also another great bank of media studios and again many broadcasts taking place.

With the route completed and our additional ladies found, it was getting chilly so what do the East End Girls do? We add a little pace and head for a Costa. We walked up towards Trafalgar Square where we had no success in finding a Costa but did find space and food in Cafe Nero so we all settled ourselves for a well deserved break.

About 3/4 of an hour later feeling energised again we set off homeward saying farewell to members of the group at Picadilly as we walked up the well decorated Regent Street to Oxford Circus and for Ellie and me the Central Line home. Thanks Chris, it was a great idea and a great evening and how lovely to watch all that pomp and pageantry the following day and to recognise all the spots we'd been as well as acknowledge how good we are at laying on an event like this.

Royal Wedding Eve and an amble not a ramble.

Had put hours of love and photos into this and it's gone, just working up to starting again so please bear with me, take two will happen later today, I hope.

Stunning weather, stunning walk, stunning East End Girls!

Well once again the Loop section from Moor Park is outwith reach due to engineering work but we're not despondent, we'll get there in months to come.

Well if you can't get your first choice, you look out one equally as good and as the forecast was so positive I turned my thoughts to the river and one of the most stunning sections of the Thames Path which we completed last year.

Photo shows the girls as they wander along.

We met at Teddington, a first for me and what a lovely amble from the station down to the River - I did think that there were plenty of great shops to spend money in, so a return visit definitely needed. But that's for later.

As we crossed the footbridge to the South Bank there is a great view of the locking system which is the biggest on the Thames. According to the National Trail Guide of the Thames Path here you see the seldom used boat rollers, then the skiff lock and something called the coffin lock.


Richmond 3.5 miles or 5.6 km further along the river and we knew that here we would have a well earned rest and stop for coffee.

I love this part of the Thames as you glimpse Richmond in the distance but before that you look up to your right at some of the stunning houses on the heights and also see where the Capital Ring Path which we've also done joins the Thames Path. This path takes you along Petersham Meadows where there are cows grazing and where the Thames is allowed to flood in its traditional way. There are public toilets at this stage, always much appreciated.

Here are Sonia on the right, our most recent addition to the East End Girls, and Marie enjoying some refreshments.

Soft drinks, muffins and coffees all allowed as by now a number of calories have burned up. Lindsey is always wanting to know how many calories she has used so she can decide just how many she can now replace. The longer the walks, the more calories!

Everyone enjoying the atmosphere and the sunshine and getting ready to head on further.

As usual Richmond was buzzing, it's another place I must come back to some day just to soak up the atmosphere and chill but not today. Time now to navigate the crowds and pass further along seeking out wider paths and space.

Richmond Lock is another familiar spot for many of us, we've crossed this before and set out along the North Side of the river but again not today, we're sticking south and enjoying following the Thames Boundary of the Old Deer park reliving past walks as we go. We also bypass Kew Gardens and discussion once again returns to the idea of doing the treetop walk sometime.

It's here too that we decide on lunch as it's now about 2.00 and some members are due to leave us around Kew Bridge. It's really important to integrate new members into the walk allowing everyone to walk at their own pace whether that be slower or fast and provide opt out spots where possible. It was Anne's first walk with us and although she walks regularly, 11.5 miles is not her usual distance and 7.5 miles to Kew Bridge is a very respectable distance.

We choose a spot along the path offering both sun and shade, again catering for all tastes. Cajsa, our sun worshiper enjoys a chance to top up the tan and Teresa, Chris and Geraldine choose the steps and wall as seats.


So as the afternoon continues the group gets smaller, Anne at Kew Bridge, Geraldine and Vanessa at Barnes Bridge and the rest of us continue to Putney Bridge.

Interesting to note the contrasts in the river at it's different stages, very green and lucious at one point and then a lot more sandy where the tide is out, I don't think I've ever seen the tide so low as it was here.

A few more stops to find and loo and have a break and a chance as we walked to appreciate the architecture especially of note for me after Barnes Bridge where some of the terraces are very seaside like. It was around here that the tide out photo below was taken.

There have been some stunning transformations in the terraces adding very modern extensions, mainly of glass to take advantage of the light.

Apparently Gustav Holst lived along here from 1908 while he was Director of Music at St Paul's Girls School in Hammersmith.

Before we reach Putnet Bridge, one of my favourite buildings, The Harrod's Depository where keeping the facade, it has been transformed into water front appartments.

And finally to our destination but with the sun still shining and loads of people taking advantage of a pint by the river, we relented and stopped too. Here's Teresa holding court. A caption competition in the making....

Another fine walk.....