Nearly there - I've said that a few times over the weeks!
Two things that have kept me going are the thought of our lunch stops (a much needed sit down too) and my celebration drink at the end of each stage. The right proirities !!
It's been fun finding cafes, pubs and restaurants along the way - some have been so full of history.
Route 1's breakfast was at
The Scullery Cafe as we'd had a far walk to the start although this was only half a mile in it was a welcome rest stop.
My other rest on
Route 1 was a bench outside Charlton House - it was one of the few benches we've seen, although there's plenty in Canary Wharf.
The Great Harry was our final rest place after finishing
Route 1.
It's a
Wetherspoon pub just across the road from Woolwich DLR.
Good food, goood price and the perfect location for me both at the end of Route 1 and for a breakfast stop at the start of
Route 2.
Route 2's walk was along a busy road, quite dusty with all the traffic.
There were very few places to stop and rest but
Costa Coffee appear at just the right moment.
We didn't stop again on
Route 2, and there was no pub at the finish mark.
Instead of taking the tube we decided to use the bus - a great way to see more of London.
Our bus journey ended in Holbourn and so we chose
Nandos for my celebration wine (and dinner), and lovely it was too.
Route 3 started at Maze Hill with the first half a mile wandering through Greenwich.
Our late morning coffee stop was at
The Spanish Galleon, a nautical themed pub with a surprise - a chip shop inside, yes really!
I just loved their wine rack - oh to have a house big enough !!
Route 3 was again long a main road, very few places to stop for a rest however pausing for photos gives my legs a moment or two
Greenland Dock was the end point for
Route 3 and thanks to Google maps I'd already located a pub -
The Moby Dick
It was quite a popular pub, with views across the dock.
The menu was as expected, good pub grub, and the wine very much appreciated.
Greenland Dock was therefore the start of Route 4 but we didn't revisit The Moby Dick for breakfast, instead we set straight off.
Our friends walked with us for
Route 4 making it quite a special trip. This being so I had again browsed Google Maps looking for a lunch stop.
Slightly off track (one street) I discovered
The Mayflower - and what a discovery it was.
The pub is the original mooring place of the Pilgrim Father's ship - The Mayflower.
It's tucked away right on the bank of the River Thames.
Walking in is like stepping back into the 16th Century with the original leaded windows, wooden panels and bar.
I'm very jealous of anyone lucky enough to call this their local!
Route 4 turned into a very wet walk, certainly not at stroll over Tower Bridge taking in the magnificent structure and views.
More like a quick (well not so quick for me) dash to the finish spot and across the road to
All Bar One.
Something extra special this time for my celebration glass as not only were our friends with us but the end of
Route 4 marked the completion of half the Marathon!
Hubby and I really like
All Bar One's Yerling Station shiraz, not the cheapest bottle around but I love the sour cherries in this heavy red.
Tower Hill saw the start of
Route 5 - a long stroll along The Highway towards Canary Wharf.
Another historic pub for our lunch stop, a very famous pub in Narrow Street -
The Grapes.
Charles Dickens, Samuel Pepys are but two of the famous people who have frequented this tiny pub.
It is a the road suggests a very narrow building built directly on the banks of the Thames with an outside stilted balcony.
Sir Ian McKellen is
The Grapes proprietor, the pub's history is full of writers and actors, being itself featured in many novels.
Route 5 continued past Canary Wharf to finish at Millwall Dock. We didn't stay for a celebration drink this time as my legs were quite tired, enjoying instead a coffee and snack in the
Virgin Train's First Class lounge before our journey home.
Route 6 took us up the centre of the Isle of Dogs to
Canary Wharf, no stopping this time for a breakfast or coffee which in hindsight was a bit of a mistake.
We did however have a long lunch at
The Big Easy, a great location right up high above the new Crossrail Link.
Weaving our way out of
Canary Wharf Route 6 ended right outside
Majestic Wines Docklands
- how very appropriate.
It's always a pleasure to browse around a
Majestic Wines store, so many great labels, so much information to learn and new wines to discover.
Of course the tasting bar is an added bonus !!
And so to
Route 7 - the penultimate walk setting off from Majestic (without a pre walk tasting)
Route 7 was along a very busy road, getting closer to the City certainly added to the level of traffic.
Just before turning south to pick up The Highway and retrace our steps back to Tower Hill we took a very much needed rest at
Husk Coffee and Creative Space.
Great coffee and the salted caramel and chocolate cake was just so delicious.
Plenty of sugar to give an energy boost for that last bit back to Tower Hill.
I was as always quite tired at the end of
Route 7 but
The Crutched Friar provided perfect rest stop, and a very nice chilled glass of white.
Tucked away behind Tower Hill station this quaint looking pub was actually quite modern inside with a bright airy bar and outside space.
All our stops have been very much needed and very much appreciated. We've enjoyed some great coffees, cakes, breakfasts, lunches, beers and of course wine.
My superstar Hubby has tried a few local ales which, although small, is a small bonus to my needing a sit down. I am very very grateful to him for all his support on my Challenge; emotionally, physically and financially.
Route 8 in just 2 days time - in fact it starts tomorrow as we are all in London for my birthday weekend. Plenty of chance to sample a few more 'resting places' especially on Saturday when we're all strolling along the final 3 miles.
Thank you to all the pubs, bars and cafes that we've visited - at the time you will have had no idea why you were so important to me but as you can see from this post you really really have been, thank you.
