It was a Happy SOS (Singles on Sunday) occasion and whilst the weather wasn’t warm we decided that we needed to get some fresh air by the river. So at 12 o clock our motley crew of girls and guys started assembling at The White Swan in Twickenham.
The pontoon which reaches out onto the river had been booked for a wedding reception so we climbed the steps to the small terrace just outside the pub doors. It’s a bit of a sun trap here – the breeze is minimised by the walls on two sides without obscuring the lovely river view. In the summer months and on rugby days they do a rather fine barbeque here – with the aroma attracting many of the passing visitors.
The first of us to arrive sat on the bench – with Alfie in the middle – and watched the preparations for the wedding celebration and the finely dressed guests arriving. It was a good way to start a Sunday.
When we were all finally gathered we decided to find a seat inside to avoid the rush and the now cloud covered sky which made it distinctly fresh. Inside, the staff were nicer than nice – preparing and fetching the coffees for those who opted for a warm-up drink whilst others had a more traditional fruit juice or alcoholic beverage. The place quickly filled up – and we could see why - The Sunday roasts looked amazing – particularly the half chicken which seemed to spill over the edge of the plate.
Alfie was happy to accept the occasional crisp although his nose was on constant alert for the passing roast dinners. After a while he and I decided it was time for a cigarette break and we sauntered down the steps to the small beach like area which is half covered in grass before turning a bit muddy at the water’s edge. After I had smoked and Alfie had peed, we chatted to the passing people – many of whom were accompanied by a dog.
And then we returned to the warm interior of the pub to enjoy our Sunday lunch before taking a further stroll around Twickenham and all that it has to offer on an April afternoon. The wedding was taking place at Orleans House and it was as if the whole world had decided that nearby Marble Hill Park was the place to be for a bracing walk in the watery sunshine.
