Week 184 · Thames Bike Rides · Half Moon Putney · Isle of Wight · Leaving England
Leaving
A little late on posting, but left the UK at the end of July and back in the USA — assignment completed. A much different experience than when we moved to London in 1999. This was more like an extended visit whereas before we were all in when we took babies and 26 checked pieces of luggage. Hopefully it won't be another 15 years before I get another assignment in the UK.
Most of my time was working, but my primary off-day activity was biking (prior to injuring my leg) on the Thames — I covered pretty much from Westminster to the M25 on several rides. Highly recommended, and there might be pubs located every couple of hundred yards. Another recommendation: the Half Moon Putney — famous local music venue. We saw several shows there. When Annelise couldn't find a better social option she would come too.
The Half Moon Putney is a famous local music place in Putney, SW London. Fake Mick and Fake Liam — a classic evening. The painting on the wall shows all the people who have performed there over the years. Looloos is still there — 2 blocks from the Half Moon. Beer and ice cream. Not much has changed.
Not sure what is next and even though Sharon would like me to hang out and focus on watching sports and arranging social events, unfortunately the math doesn't work for retirement so I'll be transitioning to something else in the short term.
The Thames Path National Trail runs approximately 184 miles from the river's source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in East London. The section from Richmond to Hampton Court — passing through Twickenham, Teddington, and Kingston — is among the most popular cycling and walking stretches, passing through some of the most expensive real estate in England outside central London. Hampton Court Palace, visible from the river, was built in 1515 and given by Cardinal Wolsey to Henry VIII; it later became Henry's primary royal residence and is where he spent his honeymoon with all six of his wives in sequence. The "old power plant being redeveloped as condos" referenced is Battersea Power Station, a grade II listed building completed in 1939; its redevelopment as luxury apartments and a mall was completed in the early 2020s.
"Hopefully it won't be another 15 years before I get another assignment in the UK. There might be pubs located every couple of hundred yards on the Thames."