Time: 6 hours including a stop for a relaxed lunch and a browse around some craft stalls!
This was probably the best leg of the whole Capital Ring! The variety of walking, town streets, river side, canal tow path and open country, the weather and the fact that I had my wife and some friends along all contributed to the pleasure.
The walk starts in Richmond and takes you along the river Thames before walk through the grounds of Syon House (which has a fine garden centre for those interested) leads you to historic Brentford. Here you follow the Grand Union canal which was alive with bird life including goslings and a three way tug of war between a group of coots and a length of weed as they tried to build a nest.
Just before the path leaves the canal we stopped off at the Fox at Hanwell. The food and choice of guest ales were brilliant and there were craft stalls outside for my wife to browse! As this was the day of the Royal Wedding the street outside was packed with trestle tables and a very convivial atmosphere as people celebrated with music and lots of food.
The path then follows the river Brent for a time before joining a different branch of the canal which takes you to the path to the summit of Horsenden Hill. The view from the summit, despite the smoggy haze was a great reward for all the efforts.
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| OK - Time for a lap of honour! |
Throughout this leg I was surrounded by fantastic wildlife and plants, I was walking at the best time of the year but even so it was a constant delight and a reminder that no matter what people say about LOndon and the suburbs, there are many worse places to live and walk in!
