Tue 15th May - Putney to Kingston-on-Thames

We thought today (Putney to Kingston-on-Thames) would be a long slog - we weren't wrong. 13.5 miles according to the guide book but it turned out to be nearer 15 miles. The weather wasn't good either - rain from the start, a dry interlude then more rain later. The first part of the walk was along the boat race course where there are concrete posts marked UBR at the start and finish. Lots of birds around today including herons and green parakeets. We passed Syon House but it was covered in scaffolding so there was no point taking any photos. We stopped for lunch in Richmond - apparently the Queen was in town too! With immaculate timing, we entered the Ship Inn a few minutes before a torrential downpour and a hailstorm - it was dry again by the time we left. One point of note .. Teddington Lock which we reached a bit later in the afternoon(just before Kingston) marks the upper limit of the tidal part of the Thames. We met some more Thames Path walkers coming in the opposite direction - they mentioned flooded paths further upstream beyond Oxford. We just hope the waters have subsided by the time we get there!