Sunday April 13, 2025.
Another Sunday and another Walk with Keilyn.
We began our day with a walk to Watford Metropolitan station, with food, snacks and drinks all packed in my rucksack. We boarded the train and headed off towards London. We switched to a Jubilee line train, at Finchley Road, and continued our journey to Canary Wharf.
On exiting Canary Wharf station we began our walk by heading through Jubilee Park, checking out some of the Canary Wharf Public Art, and Easter Eggs, on our way to Wood Wharf.
Approaching Wood Wharf we could easily spot 'Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper)', the latest piece to join the Canary Wharf Public Art trail. Standing at four-storeys, and made of 5 tonnes of recycled plastic, the whale towered over the crowds that come to see it.
From here we continued eastward, along Branran Street and onto Lovegrove Walk, before we joined Preston's Road. From here we walked along Coldharbour, passing 'The Gun' public house and then Nelson House, before rejoining Preston's Road.
We then walked around, the now sealed, Blackwall Basin Entrance Lock, before rejoining the Thames Path North East Extension.
A compass, in the ground, was bisected by the Prime Meridian Line, so Keilyn could stand on both east and west of the line.
We then continued along the path until we reached Virginia Quay and the Virginia Quay Settlers Monument.
With time getting on we stopped to eat our lunch, at East India Quay, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the River Thames and the view across to the MillenniuM Dome.
Suitably filled with energy, we explored East India Dock Basin and the relics of a bygone era. One of the 1400 giant beacons, lit for the millennium of 2000, stood proudly on the dock side. The basin itself was full of wildlife, as we skirted its perimeter, heading to Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Our last visit, to Trinity Buoy Wharf, had been unplanned, so we had arrived as most of the buildings were closing. Today, would be different. Today we would get to see everything that we had missed.
We looked at the historic vessels, like 'Diana', 'Knocker White', 'Lightship LV95', 'SS Robin' and 'Suncrest (SUN XXIII)'. As I looked at some of the artwork and sculptures, Keilyn disappeared into the Story Box and then the 'Faraday Effect' shed.
We then regrouped and explored the various historic buildings, before entering the Trinity Buoy Lighthouse, ready to discover Jem Finer's 'Longplayer'. 'Longplayer' is a musical composition that will continue for 1,000 years, without repeating, so we were interested to hear it.
The short climb brought us to the first floor, where information boards told the story of 'Longplayer', which was a fascinating read. Keilyn discovered a video about 'Longplayer', so sat in front of that, while also looking out of one of the windows. We then checked out the display, before making our way up to the 'Lantern Room', where we could look out of the lighthouse window, while listening to 'Longplayer'. We were lucky in that we had the 'Lantern Room' to ourselves, so we could enjoy the sights and sound without interruption.
On leaving the Lighthouse we explored some more of the site, before stopping to eat some of our snacks on the waterfront overlooking Bow Creek. Then, full of energy, again, Keilyn ran off to discover what the playground had to offer.
We made our off Trinity Buoy Wharf and headed across the Lower Lea Crossing, following the new path layout until we reached Royal Victoria Dock.
Sticking to the south side of the Dock, by Britannia Village, we made our way towards the remnants of Millennium Mills. As I continued to take some photos of this historic building, Keilyn ascended the steps of the Royal Victoria Footbridge, where she waited for me to join her.
Once I had clambered up the stairs, we ate some more of our snacks and waited. We didn't have to wait too long, before we could see an aeroplane accelerating down the runway at London City Airport and lifting off. It cleared the Connaught Bridge and began climbing, passing directly over our heads.
To the east, the sky was still blue with clouds moving in.
While to the west, over the City of London, black clouds had appeared, threatening rain.
We then continued along the footbridge, descending the steel stairs and made our way along the ExCeL Waterfront, in order to take some pictures of the dock and old mill building. A lone chimney, from a now demolished mill, and the listed Silo D building were all visible.
We then made our way into the ExCeL Centre, to use the facilities and to top up our water bottles, before taking some photos of some of the old repurposed warehouse buildings. We then made our way towards Canning Town as the rain, that had been threatening, gave us the smallest of showers, before blowing by us.
We passed the famous 'Peacock Gym', with its memorial to Bradley Stone, before reaching Canning Town station. We descended the escalators and followed the signs, before ascending the escalators to platform level. A few minutes later and we were speeding beneath the River Thames, aboard a Jubilee line train to Baker Street.
Arriving at Baker Street we ascended the escalators and then some stairs, which brought us to Platform 1. With six minutes before our train was due to leave, we hustled to Starbucks and hastily ordered our drinks, hoping that they would be ready in time. And, they were.
So, with drinks in hand, we boarded our train and were soon whizzing through the outskirts of London and on through Metro-land, heading for home.
Once we arrived at Watford Metropolitan station it was just a short walk home.
It was yet another great day out, seeing historic buildings and locations, while also learning so much.
Distance travelled:
- Bus - 0.0 miles
- Cable Car - 0.0 miles
- Car - 0.0 miles
- DLR - 0.0 miles
- Ferry - 0.0 miles
- Overground - 0.0 miles
- River Boat - 0.0 miles
- Taxi - 0.0 miles
- Train - 0.0 miles
- Underground - 49 miles
- Walking - 6 miles
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