A series of walks highlighting our history, natural resources and culture (145Cong.Rec.E170)

Sometimes, TJ and I go on walks that focus more on exercise than beverages. During better weather I made an effort to take Sage for a country walk at least once a month, and one weekend while he was visiting, I roped TJ into coming along for a 4-mile circular walk. From Petts Wood train station we headed into Jubilee Country Park, whose land was mentioned in the Domesday Book and was used in World War II as an anti-aircraft army installation (top left). We crossed the train tracks and Kyd Brook as we headed into Petts Wood (top right). Within a clearing in the the National Trust-protected forest, we stopped at a monument to Francis Joseph Frederick Edlmann, the man who saved the wood from development (bottom).

As we headed back toward the station, we navigated a narrow path between the woods and Soldiering Field, so named because it was where military volunteers trained during the 19th century (left). Across from the field was Flushers Pond (right), which we skirted until we were spit out onto Hawkwood Lane, once the address of the regal Hawkwood House.

But of course, if there is craft beer nearby, we will sniff it out, which is why we ended our walk at One Inn the Wood (left). Sage surveyed the pedestrians as we popped a squat on some kegs-turned-stools set on the sidewalk. Our keg-turned-table was just big enough to hold our two drinks and a homemade pork pie (right).

When we got back to London, the weather was still so lovely, we opted for another short walk, so we could dine al fresco at The Telegraph (top). As we strolled to the "country pub," tucked within Putney Heath, the sun was still shining the cricketers were still batting (bottom left). By the time we headed home, the players had disappeared and the sun was fading (bottom right).

 

Even when TJ is gone, I don't renege on my pledge to Sage. But I often go closer to home, such as a walk near Richmond, which is only a few stops away via train. From the train station, we headed up Richmond Hill, past the wildflower-filled Terrace Gardens (left). Partway up the hill, I caught sight of Ham House, which our route would take us past a few miles later (right).

 

The climb up the hill ultimately leads into Richmond Park, where cyclists participating in Ride London were doing part of their circuit (top left). I cheered them on during my walk to Pembroke Lodge Gardens and back (top right). When I got to the lodge, I realized I couldn't go on the grounds with a dog, so I double-backed to a different path, which meant I only got a glimpse of King Henry's Mound from below (bottom).

From that point, it was mostly flat footing. We enjoyed the shade of Ham Avenues (top left) as we passed by Ham Polo Club (top right). With the help of the greenery, Sage luckily couldn't see over the hedge to realize how many horses were within just feet of him (bottom).

Eventually, we arrived at Ham House, where I took a peek into the backyard through a wrought-iron gate (left). As if that wasn't impressive enough, we circled to the front, where I could take in the full splendor of the 17th-century Stuart residence of a duke and duchess (right).

A few steps from the house's front door toward the river, and I was on the well-known Thames Path. I could've hailed a ferry to take me to the far bank (top left), so I could pass by Marble Hill House, the residence of one of King George II's mistresses (top right). Sage doesn't exactly have sea legs, so I opted to continue on the south bank (bottom left), passing by Petersham Meadows (bottom right) and through Buccleuch Gardens on the way back to downtown Richmond and the train station.

 

On another day, I rode nearly to the end of a Tube line to try my luck with the Oak Trail. Sage and I -- okay, just I -- got lost in some fields a couple of times (top left) before we managed to reach the highlight of the walk: Epping Forest (top right). Similarly spectacular, although more suburban, is Highgate Wood, which we wandered through after completing the southern section of the Parkland Walk. The trail starts at Finsbury Park and, at one point, goes right through an abandoned rail station (bottom).

 

Sometimes, even without TJ, I get a little crazy and go well into the countryside, such as with the Woldingham Countryside Walk. I remember this walk distinctly because it was the first time in a while that I allowed Sage to say hello to a stranger dog, and everything went fine -- even though he was hyped up from just seeing some llamas (top). He equally spazzed out about some cows as we bisected through some farmland on our way to the North Downs Way (bottom left). Eventually, he calmed down at the top of the Surrey Hills as we stepped off the path to let participants in the Woldingham Marathon pass (bottom right).