Thames Path Walk - Shepperton to Staines (6 miles)

One has to start right - a hot chocolate was in order before the walk!

It has been a while since hubby and I were out walking the Thames Path. The last time was autumn last year when we walked from Erith to Woolwich. Yesterday we walked in the other direction. The day was perfect - sunny and warm. We began in Shepperton, but not before a stop at the cafe/shop by the ferry near Sheppterton Lock for a hot drink! Then we set off along the river towards our destination - Staines.

There are no shortage of pubs along here for those who would like a break, and the houses overlooking the Thames are lovely. Most had ceiling to floor windows and upstairs balconies decked out with table and chairs - ideal for an al fresco lunch or a pot of tea. I could see myself there!

This wasn't a long walk, just six miles, but enough for me. And it's a gentle meander. Everywhere spring flowers were evident, snowdrops, daffodils, and crocus, and trees are now in bud. The first place of note was Chertsey Bridge, a splendid stone bridge with arches, and here a few people were fishing. We'd taken a picnic with us and stopped by Laleham Camping Club where there were some benches. Here a flock of Canada Geese were busy snapping at the grass and a pair of Egyptian Geese were watching over their seven goslings. The sun was warm and it was tempting to stay.

We met another couple out on the same quest, though they said they were going to see if they could make it to Windsor. That's a long way in one day, at least for me. They admitted that they might stop at Datchet as there was a station there. We talked about how we'd all walked the London sections of the river and that now each walk was taking us further away. Our starting points took an hour, sometimes longer before we could get walking. There would come a time when an overnight stay or two would have to be introduced.

At Penton Hook Lock there was an ice cream van, though I was still full of lunch, and I'd had a Cadburys Creme Egg as a treat! So on we walked, for it was not far now. We stopped just before Staines to finish the last of the tea in the flask (now cold!) and peeled off at the railway bridge to head for the station. My limbs still ache this morning (I'm out of practice), but it was a lovely day. I'm already devouring the book planning the next walk, though at present there is no date in mind.