My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Thursday 19 February 2009

A walk along the Thames - continued

My post on Tuesday of my daughter's and my wander along the River Thames in London was getting rather lengthy, so here is the final chapter.

Having viewed London from the top of Tower Bridge, we came down the stairs and passed one of the interestingly-shaped windows through which, you could see the traffic crossing the bridge way down below us.

Once out into the open again, we walked along to the other tower and this time, went down (instead of up) to visit the engine rooms. The machinery gleamed and looked very impressive. The steam engines are no longer used to raise and lower the bridge to allow tall ships through the bridge. I believe the last time was in the 1970s.

The staircase in itself was interesting as it spiralled away from us.

One of the boilers

Which is big enough to consume one small human being in the shape of my daughter (sorry SPD but this picture is included for reasons of comparison for size).

And one of the wheels


We walked a little further east coming across this rather strange sculpture

and an area that once was a wharf to serve the shipping of the Thames - much more attractive to me.

Now retracing our steps towards our final destination and seeing Tower Bridge from the east

This cobbled street fascinated us with it's walkways stretched between and linking the two buildings. Butlers Wharf, now residential buildings, sports potted palms along it's joining walkways.

Having walked along the cobbled street we came out into the Piazza with

a rather unusual centre piece fountain!

and more glass and buildings reflected

This was the larger of two ball sculptures - and it did move very slightly when pushed - so we stopped pushing as soon as we discovered this!!


Hayes Galleria which is a shopping centre is quite an experience to enjoy in terms of its architecture.

And the centre piece is this "Heath Robinson" type sculpture of a ship with moving parts.

and back where we started - outside the Tate Modern

and finally a backward glance to the east as we neared Waterloo train station.

Having reached the station and as a wait for our train was necessary, we indulged in hot chocolate (with cream!) before heading off home.

A great day out in excellent company; thanks SPD :D

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mum it was a lovely day and thanks for the picyure never before have i had to ask about a boiler...does my bum look big in this! A rhetorical question before anyone responds! Where shall we venture to next....i fancy something taller! LOL S

Tricia Ryder said...

Rhetorical or not - of course it doesn't look big! I've seen bigger ones (boilers that is :D )

Anonymous said...

A interesting follow up post Tricia, these are places we would probably not give second glance to normally especially when visiting that area.
(Im saying nothing about pushing balls about though) {:)

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Roy - LOL. :D

FAB said...

I enjoyed your walk & it brought back a few memories. Thank you Tricia.

The Quacks of Life said...

how kind of mum to show a pic of her daughters bum.

if you want taller. uhm you can get up St Pauls

Tricia Ryder said...

Glad you enjoyed our walk FAB - happy memories I hope.
Pete - yep, kindness personified - and the views from St. Pauls are great too.

Anonymous said...

Amazing, some of the views I do recognize but most of them not. I wonder if it is the same for you as it is for me Tricia, do you also 'discover' new things as soon as you are taking a stroll through London with your camera?

Oh and SPD: My english is not that good, does 'rhetorical' mean you don't really want an answer? LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

And just in case you do want one:
OF COURSE IT DOES NOT!

Tricia Ryder said...

Carin - yes I'm always discovering things about London in the parts that I visit quite frequently - that's what's so exciting about cities.

And you are quite correct in your translation of "rhetorical".:)

oldcrow61 said...

Wonderful pictures. I really like that fountain.

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