Walk Report

Deer and Azaleas, Wednesday 13th May 2015
16 walkers, 6 miles - leader Roderick Smith
A group of 16 met at Richmond Station on a lovely warm sunny evening. We walked across The Green and through a former gateway to Henry VII's palace, down to a dry Thames Path, past St Helena Terrace and the Quinlan Terry-designed Richmond Terrace. Thence across Petersham Meadows to a restored grave marking the place of Vancouver for whom the Canadian City is named. Having crossed the main road, we climbed the hill to King Henry's Mound for an excellent view of St Paul's Cathedral, and a hazy view of Heathrow. Past a drinks reception at Pembroke Lodge and on to the Isabella Plantation where the azaleas produced a magnificent display of colour this year.
Through the little-known Tercentenary Plantation, and up to Spanker's Hill Wood, we briefly enjoyed a distant view of Pen Ponds before stopping in front of White Lodge, home to the Royal Ballet School. Passing through the broad avenue of Duchess Wood, we turned right to Two Storm Wood and Conduit Wood before leaving the Park through a now closed-for-the-night Richmond Gate.
A brief stop to admire the "classic-Turner" view from Richmond Hill before a quick walk to The Green where some caught the fast train back towards Waterloo and others adjourned for a well-earned drink and natter in the Railway Tavern. 8 miles completed by all 16 in 3 hours on dry ground.
Photographs by Corinne Thompson and Roderick Smith

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