Thames Path Ramble 25: Saturday 27th August 2016
Canary Wharf to Thames Barrier, which is about 7 miles.
Gervais, Sue and Jem, Margaret B., John, Jane, Dot, Julie, Ann, Peter
and Sue, Ian and I walked this stretch on 27th August when the
weather was good for us; warm and just a few drops of rain (for others in the
Midlands there were heavy thunderstorms).
After a visit to Surrey Docks Farm caff we set off on our last walk in
this series. All along here are new housing projects (Pepys Estate) where once
there had been a large Royal Naval dockyard. Much was new, but Rum House, part
of the old victualling yard, still stands and has been converted into
apartments. It was near here that Sir Francis Drake was knighted. Also, as we
diverted away from the river around Convoy’s Wharf (a large area, once owned by
News International, awaiting planning permission for development) some of us
proved that they are still youthful at the playground! Sayes Court Park, with
its mulberry tree, is near where Tsar Peter the Great stayed, incognito, for 3
months in 1698 and there is a large statue commemorating this. Apparently he
wasn’t the best guest!
We stopped for lunch by the Cutty Sark, one of the last and fastest
tall tea clippers built (in 1869). Restoration work was being carried out when
a fire broke out in 2007 but now all looks completed and she stands high.
After Greenwich Pier there is a lovely view of the Old Naval College,
Greenwich. Also, nearby is a nice statue of Nelson by Trafalgar Tavern.
Another interesting site was that of Greenwich Power Station, large and
dark, dominating the white and small Trinity Hospital. Apparently, the power
station is still operational and due an upgrade and the hospital has been
almshouses since 1617.
We, again, had to divert away from the riverside, due to path closures.
This meant going alongside the busy dual carriageway leading to the Blackwall
Tunnel. It is mostly industrial around here, with giant piles of sand etc. and we kept seeing Canary Wharf! We
ended up walking most of the way around the O2 and watched as a group walked
across the top!
The Emirates Cable Car that crosses the river here,
came into view and Quantum Cloud, a giant ball of metal rods by Anthony Gormley
sits under on the Greenwich side. It was
from near here that we first saw the Thames Barrier, the end (or beginning) of
the Thames Path. We were soon there and the sun shone on those massive ‘hoods’.
We took pictures, visited the café, admired the views and reflected on our
journey to get there.
The nine of us who have completed the whole Thames Path (184 miles)
