Another day out; this time with my Toby and my brother. We caught a fast train from Orpington to London Bridge:

Then a fast Thameslink train to Coulsdon South, and after a short walk through the streets, started climbing up Farthing Downs:

This is yet another City of London owned space, and the dogs were glad to be finally off the lead (note Rocco in the distance!):

We then descended into woodland heading for Happy Valley:

There was a profusion of Yellow Rattle in the fields:

Coulsdon Common has a neat water fountain with integrated dog bowls below:

We then had a bit of road walking and a grotty path climing up towards Kenley and the Observatory:

Not far on was Kenley Airfield:

We then walked across Kenley Common down into Whyteleafe:

Having failed to find a suitable bench on Kenley Common, we had lunch in Whyteleafe next to the Coal Post:

Then onto the train back to London Bridge and then to Orpington:

A nice 5 mile walk today.

I did most of this walk the other way around in 2016 – see the first part of  London Loop Walk 5, 6 & 7 – Whyteleafe to Ewell

A mixed weather forecast today, but we decided to head into London for a walk along the Thames.

Finding the correct exit from Waterloo Main Line station was a challenge, but we were soon in a office plaza heading to the Thames:

Then through Jubilee Gardens with a view of the London Eye:

The path by the London Eye, London Dungeons and Sea Life Aquarium is always heaving with tourists, so it was nice to walk under Westminster Bridge to a bit of (relative) peace and quiet:

It was now time for a coffee break:

Then along Albert Embankment towards Vauxhall:

There is a bit of a detour around MI6 Headquarters then back to the river along St Georges Wharf:

And before long, a second detour to busy Vauxhall, with its strange landscape:

However, we were soon back on the Thames along Elm Quay:

It was now time for a drink, and we found a quiet (and dog friendly, though we sat outside) pub:

Rocco got a bit bored though:

and was glad to get going again:

After yet another detour, we reached Battersea Power Station:

The old Coaling Jetty has been transformed into a nice spot for lunch:

We then walked under Battersea Bridge to Battersea Park, and Rocco could finally have a run around:

From there it was a short but busy walk to Battersea Park Station, then home via Victoria:

A nice day, and in the end, only a few spots of rain.

Not the greatest of weather today, but Rocco and I needed a walk so off we headed to Hampstead Heath. Delays on Thameslink caused an extended wait at Herne Hill (one of the draughtiest stations on the network) and an extra train change at St Pancras.

We eventually got to Kentish Town and headed off along a busy road:

But not far along was a nice little pedestrian “lane”:

and we soon reached Hampstead Heath:

with a nice view across London:

It was more pleasant in the woods out of the wind:

Then Kenwood House came into view:

Further on were a series of lakes and bridges:

Hampstead Heath station is a few hundred yards from the heath:

And a train soon appeared to take us home via West Hampstead and London Bridge:

An interesting day, albeit not very warm…

Finally, time to complete another section of the Jubilee Greenway walk, which we started in 2018! We caught the slow train from Orpington to Lewisham, then a second train to Woolwich Arsenal station.

Nearby is the Elizabeth Line station and the Dial Arch Open Space where Rocco could burn off some energy:

Time for a coffee in a nice comfy chair:

We then headed through new housing developments to the River Thames – a nice attractive space and so much better than walking along busy roads:

This is the river bus pier in the background:

Finally on the Thames Path, we headed east:

And watched the (new) Woolwich Ferry dock:

Further on, the path goes through an industrial estate past the old Siemens factory, with information on past activities. I had a client many years ago whose factory was in this estate!

Soon we came to the Thames Barrier and views across the river to Docklands:

We saw some umbrellas and tables by the path, and only just noticed an open pub beside them. So a good opportunity to get out of the wind for a while and have a beer:

Further on, we passed through an aggregates site at Angerstein Wharf; rather noisy and dusty:

Things got quieter again, and we found somewhere to have our sandwiches:

Yet more new housing as we approach North Greenwich, which is the southern terminus of the cable cars:

The path now goes around the Greenwich Peninsular (and O2 dome), with odd bits of artwork dotted around:

We had to wait for an excavator loading gravel before being able to continue on this bit:

Further on, the area becomes a lot more industrial (as I remember Blackwall before it got redeveloped and renamed Greenwich Peninsular):

A bonus further on was another pub (also dog friendly):

It turned out that this was on the site of the Greenwich STC factory (another of my clients); remembered with a bit of art and a sign:

Further on was a decorated wall and the rather garish Trafalgar Tavern:

And not far away, the Cutty Sark and the nearby DLR station:

From here, it was a DLR train to Lewisham, and after a short wait on a windy platform, the slow train back to Orpington, with a tired Rocco:

Today was a much more interesting walk than we’d expected!