I cant work out how to write up a walk report, in the proper place so I shall do it here, as usual.

There were 4 of us at Sloane Square underground, and we walked across the Albert Bridge taking the straight ahead by the Thames route to Battersea Power Station. We found four of the lights. The best one for me was the square-oidal bulbs above the piano inside the power station. An inside devoid of much interest apart from being a neo-liberal modern church with no soul, of sorts inside a historical building made famous by the Floyd on the Animals cover.

So, Adrian played some Lizst sounding stuff, and I tried to play Chick Corea, and you can see the lights responding. The ladies present declined to take part.

We tried to escape the area to find somewhere to eat, and the best we could find was the Duchesse Belle opposite the tube station. It did its job. I could see old clips of Scholes and co scoring for Man U, and the darts championship of the screens. The music was on the loud side. They did play Up The Junction, which reflected the area. The food was average to not that good and not especially cheap.

The weather was drizzly, however it was good to get out.

To add, this from my field reporter: "just 4 on the walk on in wet and windy conditions. We saw some of the exhibits but eventually repaired to the Duchesse Belle Pub in Battersea for refreshments. Would not recommend the Pub."

Once a club walk comment has a # number or # weather (no space after the #), it and later comments are treated as trip reports. It's simpler than having to find out what time the walk finished

9 gathered in Sloane Square on a cold dry night for a pleasant stroll through the storied streets of Chelsea, then over the dazzling Albert Bridge and along the riverside promenade in Battersea Park. Arriving at the Power Station we set off to track down the 8 light installations....A couple were inside the shopping area of the new development and for those of us who had not been inside before, it was interesting to see the new space -- though we all commented that the shops were not very busy. We tracked down the final few installations with everyone enjoying "the neighborhood". Eventually 6 headed for the Gordon Ramsey bottomless pizza joint which was an interesting idea, but somewhat flawed with the background music being so loud you could not hear the servers! On route back to the tube, we were treated to the sight of a large waning moon rising between two high rise buildings.

8 walkers in dry weather.

We shuffled through the delightful back streets of Chelsea with plenty of pricey real estate to ogle at, crossed the Albert Bridge, found the door to the park open, so waltzed along the path along the Thames to the Power Station, fighting through an ever-denser throng of people going the other way. Festivities/The Programme at BPS had started in the morning and loads of people were still milling about.

We had time to investigate the innards before re-convening outside to watch one of the scheduled performances. Then, having seen the queues inside at the food places, decided to look in the arches for sustenance, but the same picture: long queues. All of SW london seemed to be in the area.

So, an executive decison was made to tube it to Waterloo and eat/drink there.

Then something unexpected happened: Mr Google Maps got us lost when looking for a certain eatery! But we got there in the end, I'm glad to report...

As for BPS? Architecturally (not being an expert) I'd say it is a success, having retained plenty of features of the original industrial building to have an edge w/o being too tacky about it. Shopping-wise? Certainly a better environment than Westfield, but same as there: mainly the usual chains, albeit for a bigger average wage packet than in Stratford or White City. All in: well done, London...

Unlike my last walk post, a stunning 12 assembled at the appointed time and place and even waited 3 or 4 minutes for any late arrivals. We wandered through the smart streets of Chelsea and past the impressive royal hospital for military pensioners. We then crossed the brightly decorated Prince Albert Bridge with lovely views of a slightly waning near full moon . As it happens, the riverside gate into Battersea Park is open until 10:30 PM. On the far end of Battrrsea Park, we made a circuit of the light installations near the redeveloped power station -- the tigers seemed to be the favorite. We tried to get post walk refreshments at one of the many hosteleries in the area but all were full. So, on up to the shiny new tube station and Waterloo where one of our evening regulars brought us to an interesting and enjoyable Polish venue. A fun night out!

Given the rather extreme downpour taking place about the time I left my office, that is, home....I was surprised to be met by six others, making for 7 keen evening walkers in light drizzle clearing to partly cloudy skies ....I suppose the competition for evening social events is limited these days....

Chelsea is a lovely area to explore (especially when not teeming with hordes) and we explored some diversions on the route recommended by a "local"...

Across the bridge we enjoyed a riverside promenade through the park and rehydrated near the Battersea Power Station development....after which 3 headed to Victoria and 4 to Vauxhall....

A nice evening in good company...

7 on the walk, 2 of which had come via the Meetup feed-through posting. dry and fine

We got to Chelsea Bridge in less than an hour, and all opted for a meal/drink. Mother was the venue chosen, in one of the railway arches towards the Battersea Power Station development. Quite a satisfying visit, by all accounts.

All then chose to try to walk on to Vauxhall along the river, but the immediate power station site is still off-limits, so we had to curve around it to Nine Elms Road and re-join the river further along. Amazing to see how much has changed in the area over the last few years, but also frightening to see how much still needs to be done, especially at the power station. Anyway, very interesting to see it all, and - despite the diversion - a walk I'd do again, quite happily. At Vauxhall Bridge and station for 21.15...

Great news - the resumption of summer evening walks and really handy for the office - many thanks DAC. As I will have time to kill before kick-off, you may find me in the Antelope (Eaton Terrace) from about 6.20 having a preparatory Coca-Cola. Probably.

2 in The Antelope for pre-walk strengthening, 4 others at the station, so 6 in overcast with a little drizzle at the end weather.

After a bit more than an hour of walking, we ended up in a Ramen restaurant in the arches under the railway bridge (Power Station side), and after a meal most then took buses from there to their respective destinations. A fine start to the evening season.

5 of us enjoyed this leisurely stroll on a beautiful summers evening.