No one ever steps into the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and they are not the same person – Heraclitus (535-475 BC) And for this reason I choose The Thames/The Thames Path as my favourite Breathing Space.
Tidal through much of London, the river is constantly changing. Sometimes blue and reflecting it’s surroundings or a cloudless sky, sometimes muddy with silt, sometimes full to overflowing and sometimes low enough to allow access to the beach.
In Spring and Summer, away from the centre of London, the riverbank comes alive with all manner of flowering plants: cattle graze in the meadows at Petersham while cormorants roost near Battersea Park. At low tide in the City reaches, the Thames creates a playground for performing artists and beachcombers alike.
It is where I return time and again, mostly to walk, sometimes to watch the world go by or merely relax and recharge my batteries! And on the days when I am in the City itself, whenever I can, I find an excuse to walk across one of the bridges from where you can take in wonderful sweeping views of the city and its river.
