River, trees and moon

My local park looking good in the early sunshine on a walk with Rue.

This week has been a mixed bag with a change of plans due to train strikes and my eldest son's birthday. I have been to the River Thames twice in two different places and I had a lovely walk to a friend's house on Saturday. Gutted that I missed the northern lights, so I stayed up until 1am (after Eurovision) in the hope that I might see them, but no. Yesterday I was woken at 5.30am by Rue and that was the start of my day!

Heron

Anyway, back to the river. I met a friend in Richmond and we bught lunch and took down to the River Thames to eat. The day was very warm and we watched the duck, geese and a couple of herons. We took a slow stroll towards Kew, before turning round and coming back. When we reached the path along where there are some under arches businesses, the river had risen on the high spring tide and washed over the path. Luckily there was side road we were able to cut down. I'd heard there was a high tide warning from Twickenham to Putney that day, and we were close to Twickenham Bridge. I just hope the little businesses had another door to escape the water.

High spring tide in Richmond with arches along the path

We cut down this side road.

The following day it was back to the river, this time in Kingston. Where my son works now, they give their workers a day off on their birthday. This is a dream come true for my son who always moaned about having to go to school/work on his birthday. So, we took Rue on the bus down to Kingston and took the Yarmouth Belle from Turks Boatyard all the way down the river (though actually it's up river !) to Hampton Court. The last time I walked the path, the lower one was flooded. Now the water level had gone down.

Our boat

Rue enjoying the view from the boat

We bought some cookies and a doggie ice cream for Rue and sat in the park opposite Hampton Court Palace. It was shaded and quiet there and you get a lovely view across the river to the Palace. We then crossed back over the bridge and walked back to Kingston along the Thames Path and caught the bus home. 

Going towards Hampton Court

Hampton Court Palace from the opposite bank

Hampton Court Bridge

On the path walking back to Kingston

On the bus home I left my Team GB 2012 cap on the bus, but lucky enough to get it back. I filled in an online form and received an email to say my cap was at Sutton Bus Garage. I went to collect it on Friday afternoon. That cap means a lot to me as I was at the Olympic Park on Super Saturday, though not in the athletic stadium (couldn't get tickets). I was watching hockey with my son, but there was a big screen and able to see eveything that was happening. That was a year I'll never forget!

On Saturday I visited a friend. With the diversions off the M25 I said I'd not put her through the trauma of traffic jams to pick me up. Instead I caught the train and did this little cut through to her road. I've been down here once before. It is beautiful.

The moon has looked rather good this week and the sky has been clear. On full moon a little while back I managed to capture some nice shots from my front garden. The new moon ones are taken from the back of the house.

Full moon

I have a busy week with lots of good things. Wishing you all a good week. The weather is about to  breakdown after the wonderful few days we've had, so make the most of it!

Waxing/crescent moon

I did something silly while filming this, so I had to use an editing tool which I've never used before. It's not perfect and there is a jump in it. I was just thrilled I managed to right it.