Hearts & Flowers

Raising awareness and money for the Alzheimer’s Society with a 26 mile Trek across London  in loving memory of ‘Martha’ my nan who lived in the council flats along Albany Street.  I loved staying there.. falling asleep under the light from the Post Office Tower.  Martha made the most incredible sausage sarnies cooked with lard, on white bread and smothered in HP sauce.  Whilst growing up.. she sold flowers at Covent Garden market.  She was incredible fun and got on with all different people from all walks of life. During the advance stages of her Alzheimer’s, I remember sitting on her bed singing, ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ on repeat for literally hours on end.  I’m also raising money for everyone affected by dementia today -  my good friend Nicola’s mum ‘Deanna’ and everyone else with a loved one that is or has suffered. This is for you all.  

Fuelled by coffee and a peanut butter sarnie stored under my hoodie, I set-off from Larkhall Park near Stockwell walking by the River Thames along the Albert Embankment.  Lovely to see Big Ben uncovered after a four year restoration with a gleaming new clock face.  The ‘Wall of Love’ stopped me in my tracks… 150,000 hearts filled with messages from loved ones commemorating those who lost their lives.  The Covid Memorial was established by families of the bereaved without permission from the authorities.  It broke my heart reading all their messages. I marched silently on. 

I shot the London Eye whilst walking by and remembered being in a pod for a PR stunt when with Fifa’s permission, we recreated the 1960’s footy mascot World Cup Willie as part of England’s World Cup Campaign.  I’m a big fan of the Millennium Bridge (even when it wobbled) by the renowned architect Sir Norman Foster.  Tip: The apex of the bridge on the Tate Modern side is a great spot to take photographs particularly when it’s busy. Tip: for night photography, shoot on the bridge towards Tower Bridge to capture the most beautiful colour reflections in the River Thames.   

Moving on into the City past the Gherkin and into Clerkenwell close to the Brutalist Barbican and onto Farringdon.  Through Smithfield Meat Market (the largest wholesale meat market in the UK) and a stroll past the fabulous restaurants of St John Street including ‘Luca’ with their legendary fluffy parmesan chips.  Past the British Museum.  Tip:  a great spot for taking photos particularly of  tourists taking selfies.  A trip down memory lane, walking along Albany Street where nanny Martha lived, before marching around the perimeter of Regents Park and London Zoo.  As a child, I used to visit a Guerilla in London Zoo called ‘Guy’ (1946 to 1978) he was pretty famous and I had a poster of him on my wall. The car park of London Zoo is home to a population of Western hedgehogs. These urban hedgehogs are the last known population living in central London.  Hedgehogs are in decline, their numbers have dropped in the UK by 30% since 2002.  A Cuppa Tea sign signalled our lunch stop in leafy St. John’s Wood.  I was feeling chuffed I had made great time up to mile 13. 

After lunch, I meandered by the narrow boats of picturesque Little Venice.  I could hear the Puppet Theatre - the UK’s only floating puppet theatre on a beautifully converted barge.  Next up, party central  ‘Ladbroke Grove’ and carnival territory.  I was taken aback by the gentrification (in parts) and cafe, designer boutique and restaurant culture.  Everyone I walked past spoke American.  I strolled through brightly coloured houses of Notting Hill and the edges of Portobello Road market; the world’s largest antique market.

Past one of London’s famous boozers, ‘The Churchill Arms’ frequented by Churchill’s grandparents serving; real ales, authentic Thai Cuisine and covered in seasonal flowers or Christmas trees.  Up to High Street Kensington.  Moons ago, I worked on Derry Street at The Mail On Sunday.  Legendary British restaurant, ‘Maggie Jones’ est in 1964 is still there serving their famous fish pie.  Past Chelsea Flower Show and the busiest pavements from Sloane Square to Sloane Street towards Knightsbridge.  I wobbled forth through London’s largest free fresh flower festival ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ celebrating British icons.  This was incredibly impressive.  It took gargantuan effort to navigate; the pavements, people, iconic flower displays, pink arrows, buses, tourists and taxis.

I plodded on past Chelsea Arts Club (est. 1891).  A private members club owned by 3,800 artists, sculptors, architects, writers, designers, actors, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers.  At the final pit stop (mile 20) I had hit my walking wall and by mile 21, I started to walk like a pigeon.  At this point I was convinced the organisers had moved the finish line…the road to the finish line became a mirage.

I trudged the final mile with a friend I met along the way who humoured me by walking at pigeon pace.  You meet so many incredible people with heart wrenching, helpful and inspiring stories of their loved ones.  I MADE IT to the finish… just not quite in the style I had anticipated i.e. walking like my new spirit animal, ‘the street pigeon’.  I burst into tears before being handed some tissues, a glass of prosecco and a medal (in that order).  I couldn’t wait to collapse into the grass.  Tip: what goes down may need assistance getting up.  At this point, startup entrepreneurs Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp are my unsung heroes as the only way to get home was in an Uber.    

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU for taking the time to read my story and to lovely family and friends for sharing your incredible support.  YOU Rock.  To sponsor me, click here. Shout out to; Clive, Jason and Alia, Dad, Claire, Simon, Vix and Daniel, Debstars, Ilinca, Monica, Viv, Ed, Gemma Wozza, Cat, Auntie, Lisa Tom and Sophie, Monica, Graham, Jennie, Nicola, David, Lucy, Rachel, Lizzie, Katy and wonderful anonymous sponsors too. 

If you need support on your journey, the Alzheimer’s Society has a wealth of information online to help those affected by dementia and for those with dementia to be accepted and live in their community without fear or prejudice.  Visit Dementia UK for info on Admiral Nurses helping carers.