Kitten and I - Walking by the River

Kitten is starting to get more exercise to her leg, but until today had not been out of the house since returning from her operation.

So this morning I decided to get some fresh air and she joined me in hopping in the car over to Kingston at lunchtime

We parked close to Kingston bridge and enjoyed a stroll along the river and some fresh air.

Walking together, hand in hand, we felt like a really old couple because neither of us was walking with any great aplomb.

Still, getting out is good for the spirit and I have always found the river to be uplifting.  When I lived in Kingston my flat was only a few hundred yards from  it (the river was at the end of the road).  I spent many evenings sitting by it, chilling and reflecting.  When Kitten and I had Boogle we use to walk from the flat along the the river path for a mile or so and would come to a pub by Kingston rowing club and stop for a pint, a bite to eat then walk back again.

The Thames figures strongly in many Londoners' lives and I have lived most of my life in or around Kingston and have been working in central London for twenty four years.  When I commute I go over it at Blackfriars everyday taking in views right across the City one way and towards Westminster the other.  For fifteen or so years when I commuted from Kingston I would walk over Blackfriars bridge every day.

Not only do I feel that there is a reassurance and a calming quality from being by the water but it exudes power.  Something which is lacking from my armoury at the moment.  Whilst the river in Kingston is much smaller and picturesque than on the east of London, it is still of a size that makes it dominate the focus.   This is reflected in Kingston as much as anywhere I know with many bars and restaurants focused around it.