!!!POP UP WALK: Midsummer Sunrise to Sunset 'Challenge' Walk
Sat 24th Jun 2017
Walk Details:
This is a test for a possible future challenge walk being devised by Colin Saunders. The aim is to walk west along the Thames Path, on or near midsummer's day, and starting at the O2 dome at sunrise (04.45) then finishing around Weybridge at sunset (21.20)
Entry Details:
Walk Report
Midsummer Sunrise to Sunset Challenge Walk, Saturday 24th June 20176 walkers, 42 miles - leader Julie Welch
On Saturday 24 June (Midsummer Day), six people joined me at sunrise (04.44) at North Greenwich station, which for me counted as a resounding success - I didn't think anyone else would be mad enough and had been fully prepared to walk alone. The others were Gavin Adlington, Maria Cascella, Linda Pan, Francis Thomason and Julie Welch, and we collected Ron Williamson at Tower Bridge. It turned out to be a sort of luxury version of a challenge walk, with quite lengthy stops for breakfast at the Lord Moon of the Mall in Whitehall and morning coffee at the Rocket by Putney Bridge (both Wetherspoons), the Greyhound near Kew Bridge for a pub lunch and a kiosk in Canbury Gardens, Kingston, for afternoon tea and cake. However, a good pace was kept up in between. There was some excitement at Richmond where an abnormally high tide had flooded the riverside - some of us adventurously waded through in bare feet while the others made a diversion. Unfortunately Ron had to retire unwell there, then Maria at Hampton Court with a bad ankle. The rest of us made it before sunset (21.22) to Weybridge station at 42.9 miles. Everyone agreed that it had been a remarkable experience and should become an annual event.
Report by Colin Saunders.
Photographs by Julie Welch
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