The Long Path

A trek along the river.

Winter and Autumn

What is a little strange about the current cold snap is that the trees are still in autumn. Beautiful golden leaves and snow.

Anchoring the Boat

A day on the Thames.

My Way

A very adamant leader of the group deciding where the team will go.
Ed or David?

Sunday Bridges - Southwark Bridge

Southwark Bridge has the longest iron span ever made 240 ft (73 mtrs).

Also gets a mention in a couple of Charles Dickens books, Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit other Sunday Bridges.

Evening Picnic

Dining alfresco is a great way to spend these hot evenings.

Treasures

The Thames is an amazing archaeological site, much of it accessible to the public. An area of the foreshore by Tower Hill, not usually accessible, was open to the public last weekend during the hours the tide permitted. (Thanks to the Thames Discovery Organisation)
Keen archaeologists donned wellingtons and with buckets of enthusiasm dug the muddy foreshore in search of treasure.

A couple of people were lucky. One woman found a 3rd century Roman coin. This man found a ring, part of a Roman Brooch and a coin.

Sunday Bridges - 3 for 1

You get not one but three bridges this week. In the foreground you can see the work taking place at Black Friars, scheduled for completion late 2011. Looking up the Thames you can see Waterloo Bridge (the ugly one) the the Jubilee pedestrian bridge (the pretty one).

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit a few more Sunday Bridges.

Sunday Bridges - Albert's R & R

Albert on holiday? Well sort of. The Albert Bridge built in the 1850's, a hybrid of a cable stayed and suspension, the bridge is closed for 18 months for a bit of a make over.
A grade II-listed (that means it's a bit important) it is in need of structural work to meet the demands of modern traffic. Even back in its original days it wasn't really strong enough for heavy traffic.
One of only two road bridges over the Thames that has never been replaced.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache check out other Sunday Bridges.

Men at Work # 24

Major works are taking place at BlackFriars underground station. When completed in 2011 the station will be accessible from both sides of the Thames, with a walk way under the Thames.

Much of the building materials, including huge steel girders, arrive via the river on equally huge barge. The barges need to be anchored into place for unloading and this needs two anchors per barge. One anchor in the river and one on the riverbank when the tide allows. As you can see when an anchor is on the riverbank it makes an excellent seat for a quick phone call.

Grace at the Helm

The other end of London and I'm still looking at canal boats. Well a little difficult to go past this one you must agree. A gold Grace Jones at Kew Bridge! Now you all need to tell me what this is all about. Your interpretation I'm am interested in.

Skywatch Friday - Thames

Although London has the reputation of the city of grey skies, it isn't actually constantly grey. Sure there are grey days but equally there are blue skies, cloudy skies and magical sunsets. Throw in a river that rises and falls 8 metres with the tide, with history of battles and bridges, intrigue and murder and you start to fell the magic of London.

Remember to visit the other skies around the globe.

A view from Blackfriars

Sunset, sunrise, wet days, fine days, cloudy days and ordinary days, the view over the Thames always has a little magic in it. Wouldn't you agree?

Skywatch Friday - A view from Chelsea

A view towards the Battersea Power Station.

Take a look at skies presented by other skywatchers today.

Skywatch Friday - London Bridge

The London Bridge of our times was opened in 1973. Various London Bridges have spanned the Thames on this spot for centuries. Each with its own tales.
The tales of this one? Well amongst them is the collision by the warship HMS Jupiter in 1984 causing substantial damage to both ship and bridge. The commander was later court marshaled.

Take a look at other skywatchers today.