I don’t often get the chance for a spontaneous half day hike on a National Trail, prompted by a glorious morning, and my senior Oyster card allows me free travel into London — one of the few dubious benefits of ageing.
The foot tunnel at Greenwich carries me under the river to the north bank. There are No Cycling signs everywhere but this does not stop several cyclists whizzing past, although there’s a price to pay as the lift is not working.
The Isle of Dogs is ringed by smart promenades and expensive looking apartment blocks. Small pockets of history survive, including The Space, formerly St Paul’s church (1856), now a community theatre.
A group of schoolchildren are preparing to sail on the Millwall Outer Dock.
Arriving at Canary Wharf, it’s strange to walk through my old haunts. Everyone bustles about. I’ve changed. Slowed.
How many days of my life were wasted queuing at the tube station in rush hour? I guess it did allow me to enjoy a lot of novels.
This is what too much hiking does for you – I’m evolving.
The cobbled streets of Wapping, dotted with historic pubs, lead to the Hermitage Riverside Garden in memory of the East End civilians killed and injured during the WW2 bombing. A dove sculpture by Wendy Taylor suggests hope and it’s absence signifies lost loved ones.
The Shard, at 1,016 feet the tallest building in the UK, dwarfs Tower Bridge.
Crossing the bridge, teeming with excited visitors, back to the south side and home territory, there are fine views across the river with the sun at my back.
I finish at the South Bank and take the opportunity to visit Leake Street Arches under Waterloo station, where graffiti is legal and promoted. There are some very striking pieces. I must come back one night when the lighting should transform the place.
Walk distance: 8 miles.
Total distance: 14 miles.
Great photos once again Tony. I really enjoyed walking the Thames path, particularly the part through the City. I loved the curves of the River, especially when approaching from the west…it looked like the Shard was on the North Bank….Are you going to walk the whole of the Thames path ?
Thanks Mike. You really appreciate how much the river curves and some famous sights are completely hidden until you turn the corner. I was going out in the evening so it killed me to pass all those historic pubs in Wapping! Yes, I’m walking the whole path. I’ll use it as a “filler” when I can’t get away for a long trip.
I happened on those arches by accident last time we were in London when I was early for a train and went for a walk to kill time. Not early enough to stop and take photos though! Next time.
I’ve not often visited that north side, Wapping. Although I do vaguely remember a pub over there.