Page 49 - WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE DISCOVERING ENGLAND

Richmond sparkled under blue skies land that seemed to signal we were leaving After a mile or so, we passed through
when we arrived. The River Thames runs the town center. When we finally reached a gate to enter an immense field stud-
through Richmond, linking it with Kew the Thames, we set off along a walkway ded with trees and cows. A prominent
Gardens and Hampton Court Palace and that paralleled the meandering banks of sign warned pedestrians: “If a cow
central London 21 miles up river. The the river. chases you and your dog, it is safer to
town center was bustling and prosperous let your dog off the lead – don’t risk
looking as customers scurried in and out It was a warm, very pleasant day, perfect getting hurt by trying to protect it.” Did
of shops and restaurants. The architecture for enjoying the giant trees and grand the cows only chase people with dogs?
was a mixed bag, but in aggregate seemed hotels and mansions lining the path. We Did they chase hungry journalists too?
to work together. passed a couple of stylish restaurants set
next to the river and a ferry dock which Left: A vintage cart at the Petersham nursery
Leaving the train station, it took us a serviced passenger boats plying the river, is used as a platform to sell plants. Right: The
bit to get our bearings. After wandering including to London proper. The ferry path along the Thames river heading directly
down several city blocks and making a few would be a very pleasant option to the to Petersham Nursery and Cafe.
wrong turns, we spied what look like park- train trip if we were to head this way again.

Winter 2014 winedineandtravel.com 49