Chertsey to Hampton Wick/Kingston-on-Thames. 12.5 miles (20.0km)

Leaving our overnight halt, it was back across Chertsey Bridge and then drop down to rejoin the towpath. The path then bordered Dumsey Meadows, possibly the final wide and unimproved water meadows we shall pass on this trail. Regularly flooded by the river, it is an all too rare survivor.

It is a fairly short walk round to Shepperton Lock, busy with watercraft. Just downstream from the lock, trail walkers catch the little privately run ferry to Weybridge. This made a change from our now normal routines. It cost three pounds each for our one way trip, which lasted no more than a minute. Tickets can be purchased from the local cafe (that runs the ferry) but I paid by card machine on board. It can be called by loudly ringing a bell on each bank but I was sadly deprived of that great joy.

Having caught the ferry across, we paused to watch a little of the K2/C2 racing taking place. All very fit and very competent racers. A couple of Danes practising their speedy portage transition admirably demonstrated where seconds could be gained or lost.

It was already hot walking. We paused frequently in the shade. When we reached The Weir, it was close enough to midday that I declared a halt. Not for food, we had both earlier over-fortified at The Bridge over breakfast. Instead, it was nuts, soft drinks and pints. I reacquainted myself with the local Dorking brewery with their XPA and IPA, both superb.

OK, so despite our having enjoyed the extended break, we had now moved into the p.m.’s steadily increasing temperature, and here was a forecast of thunderstorms later. The path was good and fortunately frequently wide as the Sunday crowd was out in good force. There was never a quiet minute on the trail which made pee stops ‘interesting ‘. In these temps it is doubly important to keep hydrating, and what goes in, at least some has to come out…

Despite the increased number of towpath and river users, the hoards of people at Hampton Court Palace was a slight shock. There was a definite sense of the trail changing and the presence of London was making itself known. Looking toward the city, the sky was darkened, with three miles to go, we were going to get wet.

Having changed to the other side of the river, we walked off down Barge Walk beside the Palace. The sky darkened, Thunder rumbled, we looked at each other, and our pace quickened. Splat, a freezing bolt of rain was a shock to an overheated body, splat…. splat splat. The river to our right boiled as the heavy rain hit. The dusty path turned to puddles. Under each major tree huddled one or two summer clothed bedecked drowned looking souls. Lightning flashed. OK, so not the best place to be standing perhaps. We paused, dug out waterproof jackets, and strode on. I have no photos as the phones were double wrapped against the deluge.

Our nights accommodation is The White Hart Hotel in Hampton Wick. This is a ‘Tudor-style’ (read- faux) pub dating back to the 1600s. After last night’s Youngs place, tonight’s is a Fuller place, another of the better brewers. We dripped our way in the front door. Time for a pint of IPA I had earned it.

Never mind the beer, prior to leaving home I had been perusing their menu. Though not a pudding type of guy , I had been looking forward to the treacle tart with buffalo milk vanilla ice cream. Have I mentioned, I’m on holiday…

Showers, laze, then back to their restaurant for a Sunday roast. Fortunately the break in the weather has reduced the stifling temperature a good deal. Plus a couple of beers and the cheapest bottle of red wine they had to offer. All very good. Not sure how long our day will be tomorrow as lengths vary according to if you follow the trail on the south bank or the north bank.

The Thames Path- National Trail

• The Thames Path
• The Thames Path: Kemble to Cricklade
• The Thames Path: Cricklade to Lechlade
• The Thames Path: Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge
• The Thames Path: Tadpole Bridge to Bablock Hythe
• The Thames Path: Bablock Hythe to Osney Bridge, Oxford
• The Thames Path: Osney Bridge, Oxford to Abingdon
• The Thames Path: Abingdon to Shillingford/Warborough
• The Thames Path: Shillingford/Warborough to Goring
• The Thames Path: Goring to Sonning
• The Thames Path: Sonning to Marlow
• The Thames Path: Marlow to Windsor
• The Thames Path: Windsor to Chertsey
• The Thames Path: Chertsey to Hampton Wick/Kingston-on-Thames
• The Thames Path: Hampton Wick/Kingston-on-Thames to Putney
• The Thames Path: Putney to Tower Bridge
• The Thames Path: Tower Bridge to Woolwich Foot Tunnel