Edging Closer to London

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Day 20. Tuesday, August 5.

6.3 Miles. 15,148 Steps.

Holiday Inn, Shepperton to Dukes Head, Richmond.

Richmond is on the flight path to Heathrow. Steadily every 2 minutes another came low overhead approaching for landing with wheels down.

Breakfast buffet at Holiday Inn. Great choice of offerings.

Shared table with a few senior citizens who were traveling by bus with a lot of other senior citizens. My couple first chose cornflakes, then went and made toast, then a plate of sausages and beans and tomatoes and hash browns, then more toast. Guess they had no interest in those yummy looking pastries.

My choices. Fried egg, cheddar cheese, pineapple, butter, croissant, fried tomato, juice, fruit bowl of all sorts of berries and nuts and yogurt.

Cleaning staff stock room prepared for too hot weather or too cool.

Studying maps online last night trying to figure out best possible plan. Bus or Train. The train might have been slightly faster, but the walk to train station further than bus. Bus it was to be.

Walk to Walton-on-Thames over the Thames. Needed to get a larger Pound note changed to something smaller as the taxi driver yesterday wouldn’t take it.

The Holiday Inn is Totally cashless so that was a problem.

Once in Walton asked a couple people on sidewalk directions to a bank. The bank wouldn’t change my 50 for smaller bills and coins.

It was suggested I go to a shop, buy something, and they would give me change. It worked at the Marks and Spencer’s. Bottle of water and tuna with corn sandwich, and change.

Located bus stop, wait, bus arrived, driver now wouldn’t give change for my 5 pound note (ride was 3 pounds). Got off bus.

Went inside Post Office and was able to get 5 one pound coins. Next bus arrived I got on. Was given one of the choice seats in front for the disabled.

Fresh Pasta

A few stops later family of 10 squeezed onto bus. 6 kids under age 8 with another on the way. Mum and dad. Grandpa and granny (few teeth).

Bus zoomed right by Hampton Court. Too fast for photo, but was able to see inside to the courtyard.

At Kingston located next bus which went to Richmond. When it arrived and doors opened I hobbled in, pulled out coin purse to pay, but the kind driver waved me on - handicapped, free. Sweet!

Located Duke’s Head where tonight’s pillow is. The pillow is located on 3rd floor center window. Stiff climb up narrow uneven steps.

Directions to Richmond Park, 20 minute walk (for normal people) from Duke’s Head. On entering the park realized there was No Way these legs could walk all the way to White Lodge and back again.

Sat on bench and reflected on the visit there 25 years ago with Olivia and Gary. It had been such a special and unique visit! That experience wouldn’t have been possible if not for Madame Karkar.

Sorry Olivia I fully hoped to get out there and take photos for you 🥺

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