Never a dull moment in Greenwich!

There's always something exciting going on at Greenwich. This week Les Miserables is being filmed at the old Royal Naval College. Pity the poor tourists, especially the French ones, who have travelled to the World Heritage Site only to be confronted by scenes from 19th century France - including barricades. That famous view looking towards the Queen's House from the river ain't half a mess right now. Due for release early next year, Les Mis. stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

Meanwhile the nearby Cutty Sark is swarming with people putting the finishing touches to the grand old ship, which officially opens in ten days time. Persons suffering from vertigo should not even look at the photo of sailors (sorry - workers) way, way up in the rigging.

Tried out the very large shiny new lifts in the foot tunnel for the first time. Yippee! The only problem is that they do rather show up the shabbiness of the tunnel itself - but maybe one day . .


Greenwich will be the first of the new DLR walks from London Tube Rambles
(publication end of this week)

Mudchute Farm - the countryside in Docklands

Tamworth pig in Docklands! Directly opposite Mudchute DLR on the Isle of Dogs is Mudchute Park and Farm (turn right and cross the road to get to the entrance).At 32 acres it is the largest city farm in London. A great place for kids - and adults. You can wander round this surprisingly leafy area looking at a variety of animals and poultry or just enjoy a pleasant 'country' walk.

Many other suggestions for explorations in the London area and beyond can be found at www.londontuberambles.co.uk

Dutch tall ship passing Greenwich Royal Naval Hospital

I climbed to the top of Observatory Hill  in the teeth of bitterly cold gale  to be rewarded by the sight of the Dutch stall ship Thalassa passing the old Naval College.

Lord Nelson popped out of the Trafalgar Tavern to have a look. Sadly, I had to make do with more prosaic public transport to get home.


click on image to enlarge photos.

Cutty Sark: nearing the end of the journey

STOP PRESS: You must see this promo video on YouTube! Brilliant!

I thought I might do some walks from DLR stations. Greenwich seemed a good place to start, especially as I wanted to see how the Cutty Sark is getting on. Good news. I spoke to the person in charge of getting the masts and rigging back into place and he seemed a little sad that his job would be done mid March. The last of the rigging is being put in place right now. The poor old figurehead looks a bit fed up. I doubt she'll smile even when she gets her arms. Actually, she's not old, but a replica. The original will be on display in the Ship's museum.


Maybe I should point out that the Cutty Sark is not actually at the angle in the photo. It came out that way because I was perched awkwardly on a wall in order to see over the fencing which still surrounds the ship. When I saw that it looks as if she were sailing, I didn't have the heart to correct the tilt.

As for the walk - plotting the route should be easy as I take friends round the town several times a year. A lot of Greenwich is still a construction site, but there is a great feeling of excitement - and relief - that this amazing restoration project is finally coming to an end safely. The Duke of Gloucester visited the ship today - everyone wants to get in on the act. . .

Click on images for bigger photos


to see the walks I have done so far, go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk

Don't get caught short at Stratford International station.

I reached Stratford International feeling quite optimistic about the travel arrangements for the Olympic Games (lots of people involved in exercises helping the public in case of signal failure etc.) Needing a loo, I went to the place I had used on previous occasions. It was locked. On enquiring, I discovered that the small facility for the disabled situated next to it is literally the only public loo on the station. Apparently the staff have been instructed to send a bewildered and uncomfortable public either to Westfield or to the old Stratford Centre. I expressed my astonishment, which was shared by the hapless people who have to implement this curious policy. I then said  I thought chaps would simply urinate onto the lines. An opinion that was also shared. What women might resort to I dread to think. Let's hope that nobody has a touch of the Paula Radcliffe's. You have been warned

Exploring East London: a stroll in the park

I’m wandering peacefully through an East London park on my way to photograph a football club.   I note (with some surprise) that  the wreaths are still in place round the War memorial and admire the general tidiness of the place.   It’s a bitterly cold day, so there are only a couple of other people around. Suddenly a gang of youths erupts just in front of me, fighting amongst themselves.   One is carrying  a long piece of  guttering. He whirls round and round with it, scattering the others into the bushes.   There’s something medieval about the whole thing. I retreat a couple of steps. Then there’s a shout of ‘The dog! The dog!’ and they all jump over the railings in a panic. Out of the corner of my eye I see a brown streak.   I walk backwards, as casually as possible (it can be done).   The animal halts its rocket-like progress at the command of its laughing owner, runs round in a couple of circles (further retreat) and finally goes back to its master. I decide hopefully that it’s well under control. ( Amazing to be able to train a dog to stop instantly during such an interesting pursuit, but then I was told by a prison dog handler that he can place a piece of steak in front of his animal and it will not touch it until the command ‘Eat’. Not sure if the same applies when it has a prisoner in its jaws.)

Anyway, back to the park.  Very soon two burly wardens armed with binoculars arrive and start giving the lads (now outside the park – actually they needn’t have jumped over the railings, the gate is right there) an earful.   I catch a repeated accusation of ‘Carrying a stick’. (Presumably that is the category of offence that being in possession of three meters of guttering falls into.) To my astonishment they stand there and take the tellingoff as if they are little kids.   It crosses my mind that the warden has probably known them since they were still nicking stuff from Woolies.

Dog and gang gone, I continue my walk and eventually catch up with the wardens.   They turn out to be cheerful people who enjoy their work.   I am baffled by their hours. They guard the park between 7.30am and 2.30pm.   So it’s OK to have your breakfast and lunch on a park bench, but I wouldn’t be too keen on hanging around later in the day, though I’m told the vast amounts of money spent on the area have improved matters. One of the wardens waves a hand towards the Olympic site and says, without much conviction, ‘Perhaps that lot will help’.

Docklands old and new

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   



Want a winter stroll without the mud?
You never know what you'll find around here! Interesting boats and ships come and go all the time. (The one in the photo is the lovingly-preserved Portwey, an old (1927) coal-fired river and coastal tug.)


For details  of a suggested route,  go to the Canary Wharf entry on the London Tube Rambles website.