Blog No 4 - Putney Bridge to Kew Bridge, 7 Miles

It was a great Walk last Saturday from Putney Bridge to Kew Bridge, a gentle walk of approximately 7 miles. The best thing about it was that I was accompanied by my granddaughter Eve and her partner Lucas and Olive, Elizabeth and Eve’s dog.  We met on Putney Bridge and began the walk. It was cloudy and fairly blustery but good walking weather.


 

https://maureen-thames-walk-for-mnd.blogspot.com/2025/05/blog-no-3.html?m=1

 

 

We were joined just before Hammersmith Bridge by Max, Eve’s brother and stepson to Elizabeth. The party of four soon became five after Hammersmith Bridge with Tom a good friend of Elizabeth’s. We talked and chatted as we walked. The time and distance seemed to melt away.


I glanced across the river as we passed Hammersmith Bridge to where I knew Lonsdale Road would be opposite. Elizabeth was born in Queen Charlottes Hospital and we lived in Lonsdale Road until she was almost two years old. We spent many a happy hour walking the river and also walking to Barnes Pond to feed the ducks. This is where Elizabeth first played with Julian, her lifelong friend. As we passed Riverside Studios, I remember the opera Julian composed for children which was shown there.  Eve took part in it, a lively performance well received.  Lucas pointed to a poster advertising a performance composed and directed by a friend of his.

I could hear Lucas and Max chatting about work, house renovations and for Lucas creative work plans. Tom recounted his memories of Elizabeth and the lovely suppers she would cook. All would be around her kitchen table with Elizabeth preparing dish after dish of lovely food. All chatting with the wine flowing freely. I was present at some of these and loved to hear the conversations ranging from politics to the arts and just general humour and fun.

When we reached Dukes Meadow Sophie another of Elizabeth’s close friends joined us and walked with us until Kew Bridge. I was happy that Eve was enjoying the company, telling us of the house she would buy if she had quite a few million pounds. Eve pointed out places where she brought Elizabeth in her final months just to enjoy the gardens and river. I did not realise how big the Dukes Meadow waterfront was. This is where Eve works in the pottery studio and on the allotments. An intuitive Christmas gift from Elizabeth to Eve who has gone on to create some beautiful pottery and finding pleasure growing flowers and vegetables. We shared memories and laughed at some of them. So important in the scheme of things.



 

 

 As we came to Chiswick Bridge, Tom who had chained his bicycle some while back, left us to do a circular walk back to pick up his bike. We had messages from Mils, Tom’s wife who was now able to meet with us at Kew Bridge. Other friends had messaged also wishing us well on the walk and were sorry that they could not join us. It felt by the messages as though they were with us.


At Chiswick we diverted to a walk along a tree lined road, still chatting and catching up. Max chatted about his son Lorcan who will be starting school in September. He likes numbers and tells his father how numbers add up and that number 9 is a square root. I enjoyed listening to everyone talking as they were loud enough for me to actually hear. I was also very careful about drinking water after the last experience, noted in the previous blog.

I kept looking out for Eve, making sure she was OK as this walk was bringing to the surface lots of memories for both of us. I was reassured when she said how she felt that Elizabeth was with us all the way. I think that was absolutely how it was.

As we neared Kew Bridge, envious of all the lovely houses with river frontage we slowed a bit to look around us. We had passed way back, Harrods buildings, all the rowing clubs, and Fullers Brewery and the lovely gardens and space at Dukes Meadow, so lot of interesting sites and activities along the waterfront.

On reaching Kew Bridge, Mils who was Elizabeth’s closest friend met with us, hugs and photos all round. It was important for Eve that Mils was able to come. We then said our goodbyes and as Mils walked with me over Kew Bridge she talked about the wonderful friendship she shared with Elizabeth clearly so important and very much missed.


I waited for my friend to pick me and take me back to the Oxford Tube bus in Shepherds Bush. The end of a lovely walk filled with memories, kindness and warm thoughts.  

Maureen 28.05.25

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