17 of us set out from Claygate. Barnes/Putney my chosen lunch-spot, did not suit several people so Adam, Harry, Nev and Phil went their different ways quite early on. That left Allan, Brian, Colin, Eddie, Gill, John G, Judy, Les, Liz, Norman, Robin, Stephanie and me. We went by quite quiet roads to the kingston Gate of Richmond Park. After a highly democratic process we elected to use the roads in the park rather than the paths. We all tried to keep up with Judy on the fairly sharp climb to Ladderstile Gate but none of us could catch her. Then on to Roehampton Gate. I never go through Richmond Park without a silent thank you to Henry VIII (or whoever it was) for leaving us such a wonderful open space. The to the Wetland Centre at Barnes. My original plan had been to have lunch there but they had said on the phone that the restaurant was only for visitors (£8 each). I went in to try to negotiate but no good. So to plan B - which was the Boathouse at Putney. It was a happy choice, they had laid a big table for us on the first floor with a lovely view across the river. The food was good and we had a charming young waitress who looked after us most assiduously. The route was too far east for several people so only 7 of us continued after lunch, firstly 
a nice bit by the river in Wandsworth Park followed by a grotty bit on a busy road to Battersea Park. We stopped to admire the Peace Buddha and Liz intoned her Buddhist incantation. Then Brixton, Dulwich (where I nearly succeeded in losing Norman!) past Dulwich College and up the long hill of College Road, again no-one could catch Judy. Tea was at a cafe in Sydenham that only had one sort of cake - panettone served by a rather inexperienced waiter. Then through Crystal Palace Park where we admired the circa 1850 dinosaurs which are, I'm told, thought to be rather inaccurate by modern palaeontologists. Down to Streatham where John G got a puncture. By then it was dark so he set out to train it home. I hope, John, without too much hassle.
Regards
Bernard
a nice bit by the river in Wandsworth Park followed by a grotty bit on a busy road to Battersea Park. We stopped to admire the Peace Buddha and Liz intoned her Buddhist incantation. Then Brixton, Dulwich (where I nearly succeeded in losing Norman!) past Dulwich College and up the long hill of College Road, again no-one could catch Judy. Tea was at a cafe in Sydenham that only had one sort of cake - panettone served by a rather inexperienced waiter. Then through Crystal Palace Park where we admired the circa 1850 dinosaurs which are, I'm told, thought to be rather inaccurate by modern palaeontologists. Down to Streatham where John G got a puncture. By then it was dark so he set out to train it home. I hope, John, without too much hassle.Regards
Bernard
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