Barge walk

Following advertisement at reference 1, we made it back to Barge Walk at Kingston last week. A mild, overcast day. And I made it to Red 10 at the car park without hitting a kerb on any of the ramps, unusual for me.

It had been raining quite heavily a day or so previous, so the Hogsmill was rather high (between the Town Hall and the Police Station), and far too turbid for any fish to be visible, assuming that they were still at their usual post, middle left in the snap above. But there were clouds of midges, which are visible on this laptop and which might be visible if you click to enlarge. While the floating box in the middle is a nature project to do with water rats, first noticed last year at reference 2.

Over the bridge to barge walk, starting off with a reminder that in Essex they still bash metal, as to judge by the screws and their general state, I don't think these lamp standards are very old. Or maybe they were refurbished when the bridge was widened (again) in 2000. See reference 3.

Then a rather scruffy clutch of residential boats. All very picturesque in small numbers, but they must be cold, damp and dirty in the winter. Not to mention being pestered by drunks. A fierce sign with fierce penalties for visiting boats which outstay their welcome, but perhaps the residents have free passes.

One of several casualties of the recent gale. Odd how some trees snap off above while others snap off at ground level.

Lots of white blossom, some quite smelly, and the weeping willows were coming into leaf. Spring is coming! Quite a lot of walkers and cyclists, but not so many as to be a nuisance - which I dare say they can be on a fine, summer Sunday.

Probably what became of the building site noticed back in 2015.

River full and looking well. With the turret in the middle not being church, mosque or temple, rather what had been County Hall before Kingston was chucked out of Surrey into London. I learn today that Surrey have finally decided to vacate the building and are now entering the lists with the heritage people to decide what can be done with it. Presumably Surrey wants to make some money with which to pay their teachers and so forth, while the heritage people have other ideas. See reference 4.

The old tree, only just visible to the right in the third snap, above.

More metal bashing. Hollow and metallic, but no idea how old or what sort of metal. But a special for the council, whatever it is.

Back over the bridge and along the river front to try a light lunch at the Kingston branch of Comptoir Libanais, for which see reference 5.

Decorations all a bit florid, some of which BH thought were a bit sexist, a bit full-on by the standards of today.

The light lunch, as it happens a fancy version of the starter we had had not that long ago in the Rubbing House up on Epsom Downs. These dips get everywhere these days! Plus a couple of red peppers which were best avoided.

Water by Decantae, taken from the foothills of Snowdonia. According to their website, to be used whenever you want a really pure water to enhance your gourmet food or to preserve and enhance the character of high quality spirits, such as Johnny Walker Blue Label. What terrible twaddle these advertising foodies come up with.

On the way out we came across a pair of swans indulging in a spot of treading. BH thought that the females sometimes wound up dead by drowning. While a number of old people stood around tutting and saying how awful it was. Couldn't they find somewhere a bit more private?

Fish still missing.

After retrieving our car, with BH catching a few kerbs on the way down, unusual in that I usually hit more than she does, we made up way to Uxbridge Road for a Wellingtonia noticed on the way out and noticed properly a reference 6.

Home to a whole heap's worth of brick carrying, that is to say 16 of them, while BH prepared some pork belly, proper pork belly that had been cut from a side of pork by a butcher while I watched, rather than the stuff which passes for pork belly from Sainsbury's. Served with potatoes, carrots and greens. These last rather good - and from Sainsbury's. Plus a spot of the same Savagnin which we took in the course of another pork adventure, noticed at reference 7.

After which I was too full to take any of the date slice offered for dessert.

With some jelly left against BH's breakfast the following morning. Plus some bits and bobs for the crows and magpies.

References

Reference 1: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/03/dementia-is-coming.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2021/07/water-rats.html.

Reference 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Bridge,_London.

Reference 4: https://kts.org.uk/countyhall/.

Reference 5: https://www.comptoirlibanais.com/.

Reference 6: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/03/wellingtonia-69.html.

Reference 7: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-real-pork.html.