TP2
Thames Path - Walk 2
MONDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2016: I am in London with a pal to see the ATP World Tennis finals at the O2, fortunate enough to witness Andy Murry beat Novak Djokovic to win the event and earn the No.1 ranking. The next day is for some sight-seeing and walking along the Thames Path, picking up where I left off earlier in the year at Tower Bridge
Being November, the weather is not ideal, with nearly constant rain or drizzle, but you take it as it comes, even if the views are all turned a shade of grey!
The first view is from the top of the Monument, a column built to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666 (I like the fact that it is 202 ft in height to match that it is located 202 ft west of the spot in Pudding Lane where the Great Fire started). This is a slight side track for me but seems a good opportunity for a wide view of the Thames from on high. After 311 steps around the spiral I emerge onto the viewing platform for the all round (grey!) views. Good stuff
On my return to ground level I walk along the North bank towards the Tower of London, one of the capitals most popular tourist attractions: crown jewels, beefeaters, ravens, treachery & torture – what’s not to like!. No visit for me today though, other than an admiring look at a very impressive building, instead I mosey on down to Tower Bridge which I do intend to visit
Tower Bridge is my favourite London bridge, partly for aesthetic reasons, but also the build and engineering aspects. I am visiting the Exhibition, which is within the towers and the walkway located in the higher span, which gives all this history, plus I visit the nearby Victorian engine rooms and see the original steam engines that once provided the power to raise the lower bridge sections. Really fascinating
I leave the bridge but don’t go very far, as my next stopping point is moored virtually next door. HMS Belfast is a museum ship, part of the Imperial War Museum. She is a light cruiser, originally launched in 1938, then in service during the WWII and the Korean War, so involved in some significant action, with stories to tell. Nearly the whole ship is open to be explored and I have a thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes clambering around (including some tight corridors and steep ladders) absorbing those tales, helped by the provided audio-guide
Leaving the ship I stop for a bite to eat. Half the day done, all fantastic, but not much of the Thames Path achieved! I need to get walking, but the problem is there is just so much good stuff to stop and see
I do get a move on for a bit, passing through a soggy Borough Market, avoiding jail at Clink Prison, the oldest prison site dating from 12th Century, sailing on past the Golden Hinde, the (full size, but still tiny!) replica of Sir Francis Drake’s 16th Century circumnavigating ship, before scooting through Shakespeare’s Globe, another replica, this time of the open-air theatre from around 1600.
So much history, but next up is art, as I reach the Tate Modern art gallery. Hosted in the former bankside power station, this is a gallery of scale. Frankly, it doesn’t do much for me, with some of the contemporary art leaving me cold. Nice viewing gallery outside though, over-seeing the Millenium bridge and across to St Paul’s Cathedral, particularly as it has stopped raining and the sun is peaking through the clouds
Leaving the gallery I cross over the attractive Millennium (ex Wobbly) bridge, for the sights and return, then continue along the south bank of the Thames. I do stop at the OXO tower and take the lift up to the top floor of the main building but can’t see too much and am not well dressed enough to enjoy the views from the bar and restaurant (having the wet, bedraggled hiker look).
Passing through South Bank Centre I approach the London Eye. By now dusk is setting in and the wheel is silhouetted nicely against the patch of blue sky. This of course is yet another iconic London image, strange to think it was only meant to be temporary. I have ‘flown’ a couple of times in the capsules, plus like the millions of other tourists taken lots of photos – it works so well as a visual image
Similarly in image terms, across the river sits the Palace of Westminster, home to parliament. A truly magnificent building to view, also fascinating in its history and the workings of parliament. Tour highly recommended!
So, to the final leg. I cross over Westminster bridge, and have a final mile or so in the gathering darkness to reach Vauxhall bridge, my end destination, where I catch a tube to London Bridge, then train to Gatwick and onwards home
Quite a day. There really is so much to see in this area of London – it is tourist central – and it is a bit of a juggling act if doing a walk. In reality today has been more sight-seeing than walking, achieving only about 5 miles or so of the path proper. But I had no specific finish line and I prefer to take it slow and enjoy a few of the attractions that I haven’t explored before. Those made a day to remember. Outside of those, this is still the heart of London and I have walked past numerous notable buildings and features, too many to list. A walk doesn’t have to be all hills and green, open spaces, a city walk can be equally adventurous and a feast for the senses
