Blog No 6, Kingston Bridge to Sunbury Lock,  12/06/25


Kingston Bridge

This walk was on my own. It was a bit of a treck, parking at the Park and Ride, boarding the bus for Heathrow and then the bus to Kingston. Kingston was the town in which I grew up, however it was beyond recognition to me. I met my cousin for a coffee and a good catch up sessions before setting off from Kingston Bridge. I walked to Hampton Court a distance of about three miles. The path for walkers was gravel whilst the path for bikers was tarmac, so risking life and limb it was easier to walk on the tarmac. The weather was quite sunny on this stretch but I was pleased when it became more cloudy with a slight breeze making it an easier condition weather wise to walk. One of the islands I passed had a large grey building with Wimbledon Lawn Tennis on the side, not sure what it is used for. 

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis


I knew this walk because my father used to walk me to Hampton Court was I was little just to see the fish in the large pond in the grounds of the Palace. This was a favourite place to go. When one of my children was doing the Tudors in their history lessons I bought them to Hampton Court for the day. I remember it being cold and blustery and their frozen hands clutching ice creams. As further torture I took them on a short river cruise to show them how Henry travelled from London to his palace. I also remember giving up when it started to rain persistently. Even the dog had had enough.

However today was a good walking day with a fair bit of cloud cover as the morning wore on. The view of Hampton Court Palace is through two sets of gates, best I could do. I was impressed by the emblem on the metal railings. 

Hampton Court Palace




The ornamental gates.   



I walked over Hampton Court Bridge and onto the Thames Path signposted on the side of the road. A cafe with a garden by Molsey Lock provided a short rest.  A quick photo of Hampton Bridge. I soon started off again knowing I wanted to finish early afternoon if possible, allowing myself time to return home. As I walked to Sunbury it started to gently rain but I was shielded by trees until coming onto a part of Hurst Park. 

Hampton Bridge  


I started to think of the reason for my doing this walk, which was somehow to keep Elizabeth close to me and not lose her as life continues its pace and she is no longer part of the present. Some of this thinking can be through shared memories, particularly the memories of her as an adult. She became a generous, fun, person with many talents and had the ability to form strong friendships always seeing the value in others when they did not value themselves. Now this has gone, and I must find ways to keep her current and present not just cataloging memories, but keeping her walking beside me metaphorically. As I was thinking these thoughts I looked up at the trees and remembered how Elizabeth loved trees, especially the trees in Chiswick House. So perhaps the very ordinary things, such as trees are not just a memory but a feeling. I ask myself, is this where I can find connections and help my searching. I think walking is about searching.

When I was about a mile and a half from Sunbury Lock I met a young man called Max with his dog. I asked him how much further I needed to go as I expected to see the Sunbury waterworks and had not reached them when I thought I would. He was friendly and during the next half a mile our paths kept crossing as he was walking his dog up and down finding swimming spots for him. This young man brightened my spirits, and just a brief connection with him felt heartwarming and of course his dog. I realised that my actions in wanting to talk with Max was just the sort of thing Elizabeth did countless times a day with total strangers. Did it recharge her emotional batteries as Max did mine?


I reached Sunbury Lock which was very pretty, but I forgot to take a photograph. I then discovered that I could not cross the river at this point to take me into Sunbury and the bus to Heathrow. Just at this time a car came slowly down on to the tow path. I asked the occupants, two men in high viz jackets if they knew the way to Green Walk Sunbury where I was due to pick up the bus to Heathrow. They briefly talked with each other and then offered me a lift to Heathrow after they completed two more lock inspections. For me it was a no brainer, I was very grateful. It was the better option as the lock keeper had said my best bet was to walk the extra mile and a half to Walton and pick up transport there. I could have done this comfortably, but looking at the sun and blue skies with little shade I decided the lift to the Heathrow won the day. 

I learnt on this part of the walk that I could now judge roughly the distance of a mile. I have also developed an easy pace which I can keep going but making stops for water and jelly babies along the way. My shoes are comfortable and so no sore feet. 

My next walk is from Sunbury to Staines I will post day and times later. I welcome comments.

Maureen

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