On Saturday 14th September, Viv Newman and Debbie (our own Development Manager!) took part in the Thames Tow Path Challenge on behalf of the Wilderness Foundation. Raising just under £500 for the charity they had a great day out…… Here is Viv’s recollection of the event.
Squelching to the registration tent on Friday night, I wondered why on earth I had signed up to the Thames Path Challenge. In July when the sky was finally blue and the sun shining, a 25km stroll along the River Thames had sounded quite tempting. Surely the fine weather would last into September, the Thames would, as the poet promised ‘Flow sweetly”, providing a splendid end to summer.
As I would be doing the Challenge on behalf of so worthwhile a cause as the Wilderness Foundation it seemed to tick all my boxes. Loving the outdoors, cherishing the few wild places that still remain to us and anxious that they be preserved for future generations, and uncomfortably aware that nowadays many young people need a helping hand to steer them through lives that are in danger of being blighted before they have barely begun, I enthusiastically signed on the dotted line. With the rain falling persistently through Friday night, I began to feel less convinced.
Saturday morning at 8 am, although “murky and not quite wet” was a more apt description than “fine and dry”, my co-walker and I consoled ourselves that at least it wasn’t raining as we got off the no.14 at Putney Bridge. Following the pink trail marker arrows we headed up (or maybe down, my sense of direction is notorious) stream. The first few kilometres flew by. We overtook and were overtaken by groups of other walkers, some determined to achieve a Personal Best time, others simply enjoying this different way of seeing London and supporting a cause dear to their hearts. Within an hour we were at the 7km mark intrigued by the sheer number of boat sheds, rowers of all ages and abilities honing their skills on the water.
Next came Barnes and a sight of Gustav Holst’s former home with its view over the Thames. Soon we were alongside the Botanical Gardens at Kew; a quick movement caught our eye – a heron was on the look-out for either a late breakfast or an early lunch. A few more kilometres took us to Richmond’s magnificent Old Deer Park. We were now keen to hunt out some sustenance in this former royal hunting ground. 14.1 kms were behind us but this was not quite the halfway mark, the route we had chosen was 28.9 kms long.
Somehow while we were in the well-supplied refreshment tent the “not quite wet” had turned into “pouring rain” and so waterproof trousers and jackets became essential fashion accessories. Around 20 kms we felt that this was quite a long walk but there was plenty to see – beautiful houses with luscious gardens sweeping down to the river; tiny houseboats lovingly restored and erstwhile workers’ cottages now no doubt worth a fortune. At the 25 km mark our spirits and the weather lifted. Skirting round Hampton Court, we imagined the magnificence of the Tudor Court and decided that a visit was called for – only this time we would go by train. The 26 km marker loomed – but where oh where was the 28km one?
The last 2 kms seemed almost as long as the first 26 but eventually we heard shouts of “Well done”. The food tent was both welcoming and amazing. Delicious hot food and lavish amounts of fruit quickly restored our energy levels; we forgot that we had been weary and having sent quick texts to family and supporters to tell them how well we had done – and remind of any sponsorship commitments, we tucked in to lunch and began contemplating our next challenge. The 54km section of the London to Brighton sounds rather appealing – and this one is in May so who knows, perhaps it might even be dry!
If anyone would like to join us next year to take on the London to Brighton challenge or maybe the Grand Union Canal challenge, please contact Debbie on 01245 443073 or email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk
