Day 13 - Teddington to Barnes Bridge - Wednesday 9 August

Distance: 8.5 miles (technically a rest day)
Time: 2 hours 41 mins
Walking partner: none
Accommodation: Home Sweet Home

Richmond road and rail bridges and Twickenham bridge in the distance

After a very nice breakfast with the Parkers, I set off again in drizzley weather along the towpath that I know so well from my training. Being on familiar territory felt quite strange although it was satisfying to know that there would be no nasty surprises with the mileage signs as I knew exactly how long each stage would take.

This was meant to be a rest day of sorts to enable me to get home, do some washing, catch up on emails and dump the pack for the rest of the trip so there was definitely a spring in my step as a contemplated being able to wear some different clothes - what a treat!

There are nice landmarks along this stretch; Ham House, Marble Hill House, the Star & Garter up on Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens and Syon House. I also passed my last lock and the largest on the Thames at Richmond after which the Thames is tidal and looks dramatically different with large 'beach' areas and mud at certain times of day. Strand on the Green, the nearest bit of the river to my home, looked pretty and peaceful across the river as I made my way to Barnes Bridge.

I was collected by my very considerate sister-in-law Bek with nephew Sonny in tow to save my legs the mile and half walk home. Bill, who is incapable of setting foot inside a supermarket, had left the cupboard relatively bare but to be honest I was dreaming of my bed and retired for a quick snooze only to find that I had slept away for two and a half hours. Blimey, I really was tired!

My next walking partners, sister Gabs and neice Georgie arrived with Georgie's big brother for an evening of here-comes-the-train-in-the-tunnel type food coaxing (and that was just me), let's-drench-Auntie-Val baby bathtime and read-me-another-story bed avoidance tactics. I loved it!

Bill redeemed himself for the fridge fiasco by arriving home with a take-away curry for the adults and a relaxing evening of TV dinnering ensued.