A walk along the Capital Ring - Wimbledon Park to Richmond Bridge

What is the Capital Ring you might ask?  It is a 126 km path that circles suburban London focussing as much as possible on the "green bits".  When I read about the Capital Ring I knew I had to do it. It is a combination of my favourite city, walking and discovering new places? How could I resist?  Of course, another goal I have is slowly working my way along the Thames Path which is a much bigger venture at 296 km and it goes way beyond London involving costly train travel and basing myself elsewhere such as Oxford. So far I've only done about 90 km so I have a long way to go!  The Capital Ring lets me see more of the city I love with the comforting fact that a red double-decker bus or underground (tube) station is lurking somewhere nearby to help take me "home".  

I had walked two official segments of the walk previously although I split the walks in two.  I decided to do all six and a half miles of this one.  

The walk started where I had left off previously; Wimbledon Park underground station.  

Definitely not one of London's more elegant tube stations! 

Five minutes later I was in Wimbledon Park 

I love walking through trees on a broad well-groomed trail.  

Soon I was at Wimbledon Common; bad timing Laurie.  There was a race of some sort going on and tons of people everywhere.  Forget having a chance to use the loo as the line up..er queue (we are in Britain after all) was very long.  So I advised the bladder to take one for the team and behave and we carried on.  I popped into the Windmill above and got a map of the common and learned what a Womble is.  I have heard of these things forever on previous trips to England and seen pictures of the weird things but no clue what they were.  They are fictional furry pointy-nosed creatures that live on Wimbledon Common and help the environment by disposing, collecting and recycling garbage (or rubbish as it's called in Britain) in creative ways.  They were a big hit on TV with the kiddies. Okay..Their motto is "Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish" And here's a picture of what they look like.  

Now you know what a womble is! (you're welcome)  Now I'm first in line to coo over furry little things with pointy noses but I think these things are darn ugly!  They are from a children's book written by Elizabeth Beresford in 1968 so the recycling is very forward thinking.  Anyway I didn't see any just so you know... 

The windmill which is now a museum was originally built in 1817 as a corn mill.  It was changed and renovated over the years and is now open at weekends.  There is a cafe nearby but if you thought the loo was crowded, oh boy.  

The Capital Ring went across the bottom of a golf course and I managed to get across in one piece to this peaceful sanctuary.  Luckily the golfers are required to wear red shirts so that we walkers can see them. 

Okay I have to admit I got a bit confused about where to go once I got to Richmond Park as the description did not really match where I found myself (that's my excuse anyway...) but found my way eventually. 

That is Spankers Hill Wood on the left - do we really want to know where that name came from?  Actually I looked it up and it's very vague...hmm....  

These two bodies of water on either side are called the Pen Ponds. 

As you can see the weather was beginning to turn and yes, it did rain briefly but I had my goretex jacket on and a brolly (umbrella) so I was fine and there were big old trees to shelter under when it came down a bit hard.  

And all of a sudden there was Pembroke Lodge is a Grade II listed mansion and is London's most popular wedding venue.  It is off the walking route but how could I resist visiting? 

This place was quite elegant but I'm sure I'm not the only scruffy walker who has stopped by for a tea and a flapjack. 

This is the highest point in Richmond Park and the views were lovely.  Richmond Park was established by Charles I in the 17th century when he moved his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks.  While it was used as a hunting ground previously it now is well known as a wildlife sanctuary.  Deer are a common sight here but unfortunately, I didn't see any. 

Henry's mound is nearby but I have no pictures as it is now a concrete slab filled with people waiting to use the telescope.   It is said that Henry VIII stood here in 1536 waiting for a flare to let him know that Anne Boleyn was dead and he was free to marry Jane Seymour.   If I could have used the telescope I would have seen St Paul's Cathedral 12 miles away.  It is a protected view and no buildings can be built to obstruct it.   

Then it was time to work my way down the hill - it doesn't look like much in this photo but I was grateful at this point I was going down and not up! 

Hello my old friend - I knew I was getting close to Richmond; the Thames!! 

Richmond...oh boy am I glad to see you!  I was really really tired and after I reached the bridge in the distance I staggered to the train station.  

What a beautiful walk but oh boy was I knackered.