Lunch at the Bingham

A warm, late-July Sunday, in London, and the chance for a leisurely wander  - followed by lunch, on the banks of the Thames.  What better spot to choose than ravishing Richmond.  After an hour's serene - but brisk - walk through the park, I arrived at the pretty gardens of the Bingham Hotel - right on the towpath.  The place was abuzz - with a lively wedding reception, enjoying their pre-meal drinks - as I made my way up to the cooly elegant silver and grey themed bar.

I relaxed, with a refreshingly chilled glass of water and the Sunday papers, before my companion arrived for our late lunch (tables can be booked until 4pm).  As we'd pre-requested, we were able to get a table on the narrow terrace - with lovely views onto the gardens and the Thames.

We made our choice from the set menu, at £38 for 3 courses, devised and prepared by Michelin-starred chef, Shay Cooper.  The gustatory delights commenced with slices of deliciously fresh, home-made seed bread accompanied by their own square marble slab - featuring a generous pat of butter.

I chose the organic salmon appetiser, marinated in orange juice and coriander, lightly cooked - so it was optimally moist, served with grated fresh ginger, raw courgette micro-cubes and fabulous shredded squid.  It tasted at least a good as the presentation promised.  The restrained portion size didn't ruin my appetite for the main course.

My companion opted for the intriguing cauliflower risotto with a lobster jelly crown, decorated with slender, fried cauliflower shavings.  Also pronounced as good as it looked.

For my main, I continued down the fishy path with lemon sole - succulent and as light as I had hoped. The highlight was the delicious razor clam - slivered - served with a miniature tomato-and-herb salad.

We concluded - on a sweet note - with perfect black coffee and rich petits fours - presented on a bed of crushed cocoa nibs. The truffles, on the far right, ultra-high in cocoa solids, encompassed a surprisingly herbaceous interior of fresh mint.

The experience was understatedly professional throughout. Recommended as a fabulous (mildly indulgent) treat!

Out with the old - in with the new....

The aforementioned 57-year-old youngster, behind the blue plaque, on the Thames towpath...

The Half Mile Tree

Another riverside wander and a new discovery... I was intrigued, while walking along the towpath, recently. Heading towards Teddington from Kingston, approximately mid-way between the two, I noticed a blue sign and a fenced-off tree.

Not the most beautiful tree in the world, perhaps, but thought-provoking to read the history behind it. As the plaque states, it was the site of an ancient elm (500 years old) that sadly had to be removed in 1951. The following year it was replaced by another (today, a mere youngster - in relative terms - at just 57 years old). An interesting landmark, worth looking-out for, en route to Teddington Weir...

all the fun of the river(side)

The weather may not be perfect but apparently summer is here - in all its forms - so an ideal opportunity for a leisurely wander, or power-walk, by the river. Should you get the chance to visit Kingston-upon-Thames, take the time to enjoy life on the towpath.  To get there, walk to the end of Clarence Street, cross over Kingston Bridge, (admiring the view as you go), turn left and you're in Barge Walk.

You'll understand the name as you take-in the many house boats and transient visitors moored-up at the scenic riverside setting. There's always a happy - usually serene - line-up of swans here too, often in a row, grooming themselves, debating their next move.

From this side of the river bank you'll find no restaurants or cafés to distract or delay you - only from the distant perspective of the other side - but it can be interesting to watch the contrasting hive of activity over there from this, more tranquil, perspective.

As you move on up, you'll encounter training rowers, happy boaters, leisurely and speeding cyclists, fledgling and earnest runners, picnic-ers and romping dogs with their owners. It's a great antidote to city life.

If you fancy exploring the full-stretch of the towpath, it's about two-and-a half/three miles up towards Hampton Court with more to enjoy as you go. The trees are glorious, the houses attractive, the riverside nooks and crannies varied - with a feeling that they remain part of another era.

As you reach the end of the towpath, you'll come across the stunningly regal, ornate golden gates protecting Hampton Court Palace's Privy Gardens. Why not check-out the surrounding recommendations on Qype to make your day complete?

what a difference a day (or two) makes...

Just a couple of days after the April snowfall in London, spring seems to have returned.  The photo doesn't show how truly gorgeous and sunny it really was, as I walked along the Thames riverbank.   The blossom is glorious!  All human life is there: rowers, walkers, runners, dogs, amblers, cyclists and happy children playing...