Putney Bridge to wherever

Our walk today could have taken a number of different routes and was left purposely vague as I wasn't sure what would be icey, where there'd be snow and I clearly wanted to keep away from boggy forest.

Putney Bridge is a great place to start and even though I love that walk over the bridge to the south side of the Thames, I was fully prepared to try the northern side for a change. The northern route of this section of the Thames however, follows the road for a very long way so that was enough to put me off and I got to climb the steps and take the ladies over the Thames along by the railway line.

Pagoda in Battersea Park

Boy was it cold, and delayed trains at Earl's Court meant we'd kept some of the group waiting longer than planned. The body warmed up quickly, the feet took a little longer but warm up they did and the hat came off about an hour into the walk.

It was a great turnout for February, 11 of us and catching up needed with Carol as well as congratulations for her endeavours and moments of madness on her challenge last week - I wasn't tempted to join and to Marie who'd been travelling for 4 weeks in S America and Antartica.

The problem, for the morning anyhow, was a severe lack of coffee and also loo facilities. I knew there were loos in Battersea Park and they were much needed by the time we got there. Happy to go on further, that was fine until hunger and coffee withdrawal took over and then a long path to a dead end didn't amuse. Such short sightedness.......don't get me started.

Thankfully a new and roomy Pret a Manger in Vauxhall came at just the right time and coffee and lunch was combined. Plenty of room to sit, more loos and wonderful coffee, think chunky soups, haloumi and falafal wraps and various sandwiches and salads satisfied our little group.

After lunch Vanessa opted to cross the river and head home, Geraldine and Paula opted out and headed for the tube and we left Maggie sipping coffee feeling proud of herself for her achievements.

Vauxhall Bridge was closed one way for filming but we weren't close enough to see what and the young man stopping pedestrians either didn't know or wasn't going to share his info with us so on we walked along the South Bank. At the London Eye it was crowded, touristy and somewhat tacky but that didn't last for long and the detour near the Tate no longer exists, there are however, too many holes, fenced off areas and hoardings, pushing the many pedestrians into narrow walking areas and making the act of putting one foot in front of each other a bit of a trial. Will be glad when the Olympics are over!!

We called it a day at London Bridge - 8.00/8.5 miles along and a spot where most people could return home easily and enjoy an evening. Thanks ladies, always a pleasure. I look forward to March.