About to put these on for a @TrussellTrust #RaceAgainstHunger training walk, chosen in my Twitter poll. Before the 12 miles from the Marathon course start on Blackheath to the Shard via Woolwich, I’ll do 8 miles from Euston to Blackheath. Bring on 2 April.
trusselltrust.enthuse.com/pf/neil-tester…
It felt rude to take a photo so you’ll just have to believe me when I say I hadn’t got very far south of Euston when I saw possibly the most British thing ever: a town crier in full regalia and carrying a Waitrose bag. Stay tuned for more exciting megawalk updates…
About 5 miles in and the Shard’s in sight. I’ll be back here in 15 miles’ time. Nice day for a walk. Also a good day to support @TrussellTrust #RaceAgainstHunger if you can:
trusselltrust.enthuse.com/pf/neil-tester…
#TeamTrussell
Guess where I am now…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wot_Cher!…
TBH I’ve had more picturesque strolls than this one along the A2.
Honestly, this wasn’t me. First time I’ve been along New Cross Road in years.
What the L?
Bottom of Blackheath Hill. Somewhere up here’s the house where my paternal grandmother was a cook before WWI. The master of the house was in the Magic Circle, and family lore says she cooked for this gent: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chung_Lin….
I still have the tin trunk she took into service.
This climb’s just the tonic after 8 or 9 miles.
Finally on Blackheath and nearly at the start of the Marathon route. This is Hollyhedge House, where my Territorial Army dad was called up aged 18 over Munich and again aged 19 a few days before WWII. Thinking about the Ukrainian teenagers now doing the same, except untrained.
Used to sail my yacht here. A toy one. I’m not an oligarch. Also apparently the site of my grandad’s dog’s leap into the pond from the top deck of an open-top bus. Bad dog, Prince!
Know why this bit of Blackheath, by the Greenwich Park gates, is lower than the rest? Worn down by the poor donkeys carrying 1970s SE London kids up and down. I’ve got photographic evidence at home, I think.
At the Marathon start now, so 12 miles to go to the Shard via Woolwich. I’ll be starting my solo walk of the 26-mile Marathon course from here on 2 April, once I’ve walked the mile from Blackheath Station. All for @TrussellTrust #RaceAgainstHunger. trusselltrust.enthuse.com/pf/neil-tester…
Just entering Charlton Village. Here’s Charlton House. Uncle Joe used to help organise the annual charity Horn Fair in the park behind it. Quite a big chunk of this walk turns out to go via Memory Lane…
You can tell if someone’s from SE London if they pronounce Charlton and Greenwich correctly. It’s Choletun and Grinij.
Walking down Kinveachy Gardens, Charlton. Realised this is where we came to eat at the flat of Dad’s colleague, Eileen, when I was about 9. She told me to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Looking back, I need to thank her for getting me to step up the reading ambition.
This is as far East as the Marathon route goes on the South side of the river. Turning briefly North now before heading West towards the Shard.
Here’s the Woolwich Odeon, which holds my 1st memory of going to the pictures. Snow White (not on its first release!). Just recalled the bit where the Queen transforms. May need lie-down. But must press on and turn West along the river. Next door’s The Mitre, Uncle Ernie’s local.
Subliminally influenced to buy an appropriate snack for the Marathon route?
Ohhh, I’ve been waiting to reach this bit. Gwen Villa in Felltram Way, my dad’s first home in 1920. There used to be a tram depot at the end of the road. Toddler Dad got stuck in the tracks and his big brother Arthur got him out of the way of a tram. Arthur didn’t live to see 10.
Many an early-90s night out in Greenwich started and/or ended a few yards down Woolwich Road at Dilum’s and Mandy’s flat. I can hear The Shamen and Paul Weller and taste Polish plum brandy (if taste’s the right word). This is getting like one of those “Wanna feel old?” things…
Usually I’d look askance at someone blasting music from a convertible BMW along Trafalgar Road, but in this case it’s (a) a brilliant track and (b) precisely the right tempo to walk to:
Just off Trafalgar Road is the old Greenwich power station where Uncle Henry worked before he went on the railways. Almost in Greenwich proper now.
One for the Thor fans…
Reached the Cutty Sark so just this stretch to go now. How do people *run* this route? 👏 to them.
Singing along with @PetulaClarkHQ as I go:
I have eyes on the target. Time to start thinking about what to do when I arrive…
…so when I get to the Shard, shall I celebrate with:
There’s always a boss level at the end of the game…
And he’s there. Thanks for the support along the way. Now, as instructed by Twitter poll participants, some food and a beer or 2. Then Tube, train and a final mile home. So that’ll be 22 miles today. Feeling confident about the 26-mile push on 2 April: trusselltrust.enthuse.com/pf/neil-tester… 🤞
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