More about the riverside walk upstream to Richmond. Last weekend was extremely wet, nevertheless the towpath on Monday was only minimally puddly and muddly, though maybe not suitable for suede loafers. At Barnes there is Holst’s house with a blue plaque, appropriately it is lived in by a former boss of the ENO. Since she left, the company has been in trouble. There is nothing on this month and it kicks off its 2018 season on 13th February with Iolanthe, on until 7th April. This is not what you’d expect from an old company that in the past has rivalled any in the world. I have to search further and further back to remember their great productions. Cunning Little Vixen, Death in Venice and The Pearl Fishers immediately stand out but there were more. I think the last things I saw that were acceptable were The Nutcracker (nothing to do with ENO) and a revival of The Mikado.
I peered through her dining room window and recognised the high-backed, white leather chairs one of which I sat on when she had me to an excellent dinner, so I guess she and her husband still live there. But we must march on and note this contrasting architecture.
Reading from left to right my guess is 19th, 21st and late 18th/ early 19th centuries. The whole walk has these sort of contrasts. Some of the newish low-rise flats are a bit drab but there is much to admire. Then factor in views of the river, Kew Gardens, Syon House and you can see that it’s a Jolly Good Walk.
“The open road, the dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows” that’s what I found.
