The Captain

It's been a while since I visited the Thames at Richmond, and I had promised myself a trip on the ferry from Ham House to Marble Hill House.  I arrived in time for morning coffee at Ham House and a wander around the kitchen garden, before catching the ferry.

I had only seen Marble Hill House from afar and only recently discovered that it was managed by English Heritage and free to visit.  The house was very interesting. It was built by Henrietta Howard in 1724–1729, the former mistress of George II. It became her escape from  a disastrous first marriage to Charles Howard, later 9th Earl of Suffolk, from whom she separated in 1727, and eventual happy home with her second husband, George Berkeley, son of the Earl of Berkeley, whom she married in 1735.  

I then walked along the Thames to Richmond, and spotted this old boat with its captain - a grey heron looking over the local views!


Crossing back over the river using the Richmond Bridge I walked back along the Thames Path to Ham and my car ... a round trip of over 5miles.  I had debated walking the other way to Twickenham Lock, but that may have been nearer 7miles in increasingly hotter, muggy conditions. It was a good call given the thunder and lightning, and eventually rain, as I walked back. Luckily I stopped for an ice cream (as one does) from a small café with a handy veranda during the worst of the downfall. A little umbrella kept the rain away for the rest of the walk.

Another good day out!