A Walk on London's Wild Side

Richmond Park with Central London Not Far Away

Saturday was a brilliant London day.  So, we decided to take full advantage of this Summer rarity by going on one of our long walks.  We hopped a train at Waterloo Station and in half an hour we were in Hampton Wick to start our trek.  The plan was to check out a few antique shops in Hampton Wick and Kingston and then head off to explore, Richmond Park.

The train ride went smoothly, no delays, but the antiquing?  Well, it started out a bit slow.  The first stop planned was the Hampton Wick Antique Centre.  I'd found it online and had checked their hours on their website.  I hate turning up and finding shops closed.  Their site assured me that they were open on Saturday and that they were conveniently located just across the street from the station.  Unfortunately, you just can't believe everything you read on the net these days, because not only were they closed, they were out of business.  The place was empty, but their website was still operating.

Anyway, we marched off down the street to the next shop on the list with me bitching about how unprofessional some antique shop owners can be.  The next shop was on the way to the bridge that would take us over the Thames to Kingston.  I was really glad it was on the way, because that shop was closed too.  Interesting things in the windows but locked up tight.  Things were not going well and I was feeling a real rant coming on.

Living My Antiques Dream

David Dickinson's Real Deal at Chiswick

I walked into reception and started looking around.  There was a sign pasted on the wall that warned that cameras were in operation and if you did not want to be filmed you should tell someone.  Hmm, what's that about?  I looked over some of the items in the cases and made my way to the door leading into the next room.

On that door there was another sign.  This one had a picture of a guy at one of the showcases in reception.  It asked if anyone knew this "thief".  I thought, I bet he's sorry he didn't ask not to be filmed.

There wasn't much in that room and it was kind of dark, so on to the next room I went.  And, there I discovered what the filming signs were about.  I heard his distinctive voice first and then I saw the well known face of UK antiques reality shows, David Dickinson.  They were filming Dickinson's Real Deal at the Chiswick Auctions today.

I've always had an interest in collecting things old and in particular things old with a story.  I'm always dragging Rob into antiques shops against his will.  I have even been known to take road trips just to visit shops.  I do those on my own, although I have been known to hijack parts of holidays with Rob.  But, oddly, I'd never been to a general auction even though most of British antique reality shows I'm somewhat addicted to like Cash in the Attic, Bargain Hunt and Dickinson's Real Deal always end up in an auction room.  Since arriving in London, my inadequacy in things auction has been reinforced by my discovery of Antiques Road Trip which has quickly become my favourite TV show.  It combines antique shops with travel through the British countryside and it too always ends up in auction rooms - heaven.

We Loved National Rail Until We Didn't

Southeastern Railway Train at Rye, Sussex 

Since we arrived in London, people have been telling us about how bad the London Underground, the Tube, and the National Rail services really are.  And, we kind of thought they were exaggerating.  I mean we've been here a month and have had no problems.  The Tube is a great way to get around although it does hinder your ability to get your bearings.  You pop up here and pop up there and don't ever really know how it all relates above ground.

On the rail side we had two really good experiences.  We went to Rye to investigate that East Sussex town's antiques and vintage scenes.  It was a great day out exploring Rye's picturesque streets and numerous shops.  The train trips there and back all went smoothly.

Weekend before last, we had another smooth trip to Walton-on-Thames.  We departed on time and arrived on time both ways.  The only hiccup was our decision to travel to Waterloo Station to catch a train we could have got at a station around the corner, but we're learning.

Then there was this past weekend.  Well, it didn't go so smoothly.