The Final London Walk

8th September - 10th September 2021


Erith to Thamesmead — 3 Miles

We arrived late afternoon at Erith to start the final stage of the walk around Great Britain. On route from Lowestoft in the minibus, we all enjoyed a late lunch of sandwiches & snacks, & as always Kev Dev made sure that we all arrived in Erith in good spirts. As we started the mini walk to Thamesmead, on leaving Erith we passed the spot where Alexander Selkirk ( the real Robinson Crusoe ) had arrived back on October 14th 1711 after being marooned on a desert island for 4 years.
Walking along the Thames Path we passed an incinerator before taking a path that took us through the Crossness nature reserve in the Thamesmead area before we all had to cross a busy duel carriageway to enable everyone to return to the minibus.

Thursday 9th September

Thamesmead to Canary Wharf — 15 Miles

An early start for everybody as we again started along the Thames Path before arriving at the Thames Barrier situated in the New Charlton area in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
We then walked under the Emirates air line cable cars close to the Greenwich peninsula. Lunch was at Sandos at the O2 where we were joined by Hamish, Chris, Mike & Fred. After lunch we crossed from east to west across the Greenwich meridian at the Greenwich royal observatory & then passed by the Navel College & the Cutty Sark museum ship. Mr Page then enjoyed his afternoon ice cream before we took the river ferry across from the Double tree docklands pier to the Canary Wharf pier.
We then had time to all enjoy teas, coffee & some beers before walking back to the hotel. On meeting for pre dinner drinks we were then taken by surprise in being able to watch a specially made film of the Spoilt Ramblers Great Britain walk as told by everybody in their own words who had been associated with the group over the past 15 years that the walk had taken from start to finish.
Onwards then to Roka for dinner, which was very kindly sponsored by Barclays & Simon. Great food & wine & a fantastic day & evening was had by everyone.

Friday 10th September

Canary Wharf to Buckingham Palace —- 8 Miles We all started from our hotel in Canary Wharf & started by walking to the ferry point to again cross the river & arriving back on the Thames Path in Rotherhithe.

The weather was overcast for the final days walk & we had a slight shower as we all saw the police forensic team inspecting what appeared to be a dead body on the foreshore.
We then had to walk slightly inland from the path to get around the river Neckinger which flows out into the Thames. As the overhead clouds became darker we stopped for a tea break & avoided another 10 minute heavy shower. Back then on the Thames Path passing by Bermondsey, we then came by HMS Belfast & then crossed over the road by London Bridge & carried onto the south bank. Then onwards pass the London Eye before all stopping for a group photo with the Houses of Parliament in the background. We then passed over Westminster Bridge before turning right along Whitehall before reaching Trafalgar Square & then into the Mail for the final straight walk along to Buckingham Palace. As we approach the Palace the whole group then spread out across the road where we proceeded to have more photo’s taken, thankfully the road traffic was not busy.
More group photos at the Queen Victoria memorial in front of the Palace, & then more photo’s at the palace gates. Final photo’s were taken in a group hug in Green Park before a complete surprise as we walked to the Caviar House & Prunier on Piccadilly where the Honeypot team were waiting with a wonderfull reception party.

That night a fantastic Spoilt Ramblers closing gala dinner was held in the William Kent room at the Ritz hotel, with the head chef John Williams taking the group around on a tour of the kitchens. Emily did a marvellous job setting up the Queen Elizabeth room with our own bar & Spoilt Ramblers drinks & cocktails, which was followed by a lavish dinner accompanied by a 12L Baltazher of wine from Silver Oak.

An amazing end to a memorable 15 year journey.