Ok, so the title probably gave it away. Today’s destination was Richmond - home of the mighty Greyhounds and a little show called Ted Lasso. I’ve visited before, but it was a bit of a rushed journey and I wasn’t feeling particularly well, so I needed a return trip to explore a little more.
Richmond is only a short train ride from the city centre, and is situated on the River Thames. It is also the place that no matter how long I spend there and study the maps etc, I manage to get turned around and a little lost every time.
First time getting lost and I found myself on the St Mary Magdalene Church Walk, cutting through a beautiful green park with overgrown gravestones and past the church where there was a tribute to Sir Richard Attenborough and his daughter and granddaughter (both of whom were lost in the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004). From the churchyard I found my way down Paved Court (where Ted’s apartment is) and spent a few minutes watching dogs and their owners playing on Richmond Green.
Richmond Palace is on the side of the green, which had been used as the palace grounds during its time, so that was my next destination. You can walk through the old palace grounds, but the buildings have been converted to residences, so no exploring inside. Outside was enough though as it is such a beautiful space and well signed to show what each building was in its previous life. I love roaming somewhere and thinking that I was following in the footsteps of royalty, especially this palace, which was a favourite of Henry VIII.
The river was calling next, and I followed a pretty little path that had the Thames on one side and the Old Deer Park on the other. The Old Deer Park was the former hunting grounds of the various kings when they resided in England. There was a plaque there showing how it had changed in size over the years, always contracting and expanding to meet the needs of the community or the royals as they saw fit.
I continued along the trail until I reached Richmond Lock - another of those amazing mechanical feats that allow boats to travel along the Thames through the various dam walled areas from a higher water level to a lower level, and vice versa. I was fortunate to see a boat move through a lock last time I was in London, and it always surprises me how simple the process is, but how complicated the mechanics of it all are.
The lock has a pedestrian walkway across the top, so I used that to cross the river and made my way back towards Richmond Bridge, which is the oldest bridge across the Thames in London. Which is ironic, because the one of the oldest bridges in Australia is the Richmond Bridge in Tasmania!
Over the bridge and back towards town, I took a few of my walking waypoints out of my map, as the feet are a little overdone and need a “rest” day, so I walked back to Paved Court and explored the Ted Lasso store. A great selection of items, mostly clothing, and proud to say I walked away without buying anything. The perks of being a screen printer’s wife, you know when to walk away.
Back down past the pub, got a couple more shots of the familiar phone booths and benches, and then found my way to the Richmond Theatre, which I think was used as the benefit venue in the show. Another lap around the green to spot Rebecca’s house and then a quick train ride back into the City Centre where I spent some time exploring the Covent Garden Markets, paid $3.00 to use a bathroom, got a burger and shake at the 7 Dials Food Market and finished off with a walk through Neal’s Yard and up to Vnilla for a banana pudding recommended by TikTok.
I was wearing my Lions hockey shirt today, and as I walked into the store, the fellow behind the counter said “is there a game on today” and I told him it wasn’t a football guernsey - it was for my Australian Rules Football team. He looked at me funny and said “ah Australia, you just beat my team.” Turns out he is Turkish and we had a fun chat about football (which I know very little about) and how Australia has pulled off an upset in the first round. The World Cup stuff is everywhere here - every pub, every club, every cafe has booking reminders if you want to watch the game and even the containers at this shop were World Cup themed.
I saved my dessert until I got back to my apartment - and feeling a bit tired (the jet lag is kicking my butt like it never has before), I had a little nap that turned into a big nap that saw me wake up at 6.28pm and rushing to get myself to the theatre to see Hercules. Made it with plenty of time thanks to my very strategic lodgings being on the direct bus route to the theatre district!
The show was great and a nice nod to the animated film. Songs were fab, and The Muses were the stand out - powerful voices, great costuming, perfect comedic timing and the real stars of the show as they told the story through song.
Tomorrow is a travel day - there won’t be much to report I hope. But I will be in a new country the next time you hear from me.
