29 February

This is a first for me.... never done this on the 29th before....

So here is some local history... that has nothing to do with 29th Feb...

On this 'ait' once stood the Swan Inn which open for business in about 1724 and thrived on fashionable river traffic of the time. It became famed for parties, fine food, pitchcocked eels (broiled eels seasoned with mace, nutmeg, salt and pepper, covered in breadcrumbs and butter, served with anchovy and lemon), and fine wines. By 1812 a wealthy neighbour was so outraged by the riotous behaviour he bought the place and closed it down. Trees were planted to protect Kew from the inferior buildings of Brentford (to the right of the picture).

Thanks to David McDowall's excellent book The Thames for much of the information.