'MV Royal Iris'

A forlorn sight.

As I was wandering along the River Thames from Greenwich to Woolwich, I spotted this rusting hulk, moored on the quayside, just east of the Thames Barrier.

She looked like a ferry, but not one that I was use to seeing on this particular river, so I knew that I would have to do some research, when I had finished my walk.

Walking with Keilyn: Greenwich Peninsula to Woolwich Foot Tunnel... and beyond

Our starting point for the day.

Friday June 3, 2022.

Having been to London, as a family, the previous day, Keilyn decided that she hadn't seen enough and wanted another walk. So, following an early start we made our way to North Greenwich, from where our walk eastward was to begin.

We made our way from the station to The Tide, a raised walkway that allows for great views over Peninsula Square and leads you to Olympian Way beside the River Thames.

The Mermaid by Damien Hirst.

The first sculpture we saw was 'The Mermaid' by Damien Hirst, quickly followed by Anthony Gormley's 'Quantum Cloud'.

The riverside has changed a lot, since I last walked along it. With its landscaped gardens, seating and barbeque areas it has become a nice place to relax on a summer's evening.

Thames Pathway.

Keilyn takes a rest.

We followed Olympian Way towards the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, spotting the 'Hydra & kira' sculpture enroute.

Hydra and Kali by Damien Hirst.

After we passed the Greenwich Yacht Club the area became more industrial and unkept, harking back to this areas commercial and manufacturing past.

Tarmac Charlton Concrete Plant.

Moving on to Riverside the sun had begun to beat down on us and the breeze, which had kept us cool earlier, had now disappeared. 

Walking with family: Greenwich to the Thames Barrier... and beyond

Saturday October 13, 2012.

Myself, Emma, Erin and Uncle Martin decided to take a trip to Greenwich. We took our usual route of the Metropolitan line to Finchley Road, where we changed onto the Jubilee line for the rest of our journey to North Greenwich. It was at this point that we were informed of a 'security incident' at Canary Wharf, meaning that the Jubilee line would terminate at London bridge. 

So, Plan B was quickly formulated; Breakfast at Borough Market, then the Thames Clipper to North Greenwich. This plan then changed back to Plan A, a few minutes later, when the 'incident' was resolved meaning that the train would continue on its merry way. 

Finally arriving at North Greenwich, we made our way into the O2 Arena, where had a coffee and a snack, before heading off to catch the Cable Car across the River Thames. Having an 'Oyster Card' meant no queuing for tickets, so we headed for the lift which would take us to the Departure Deck. The seats on the Emirates Air Line are comfortable and the entire trip lasts about 12 minutes. I took a short video of the first half of our journey, which offered amazing views of Stepney, the Olympic Park, the Thames Barrier to Thamesmead and beyond. 

We then walked around the Royal Victoria Docks towards the Excel centre, which next week will be full of Trekkers, Klingons, Ferengi and other species from around the Galaxy. We then traversed the Pedestrian Bridge at Royal Victoria Dock, in order to take some photographs. Unfortunately, no aeroplanes were taking off from London City Airport, so it was just views of the local cityscape that I could photograph. I did manage to get a shot of MillenniuM Mills, which I had last visited in 1988, when it proved itself as a worthy backdrop for Jean-Michel Jarre's 'Destination Docklands' concert.

From here we headed South onto the North Woolwich Road and into the Thames Barrier Park. This was my first visit to the Thames Barrier, so I took many photographs as I tried to capture the wonder of human achievement against nature. The Thames Barrier is the second largest movable flood barrier in the World and it was opened on May 8th 1984, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

From here we made our way to Pontoon Dock DLR station, where we caught the DLR to Poplar. We changed at Poplar and caught a DLR to Cutty Sark. After exiting the station we headed into Greenwich Market to grab a bite to eat. Eating on the hoof, we headed for the Cutty Sark and took many photos and I bumped into someone from Watford. After a quick chat, we went to buy our tickets, which was perfectly timed as the heavens opened moments later. 

Now, many people have gone on about the 'greenhouse' or 'carbuncle' that now surrounds the World famous Tea Clipper, but I found it added to the Cutty Sark, rather than detracted from her. It also opens up the drydock, so that you get a true sense of the sheer size and scale of this historic vessel. This also allows you to get some unique views and perspectives, for your photographs, that you would never normally get of a ship. 

Thames Barrier

A great barrier, restrains the mighty river.

Tuesday October 13, 2012.

I had begun to travel further east, rather than staying in the more familiar central and western areas of the Unfinished City. What had made this easier was the newly improved transport links, that included the Jubilee Line, the Emirates Air Line Cable Car, the Docklands Light Railway and the Thames Clipper.

I had taken the Jubilee Line to the Greenwich Peninsula, where I took a flight on the Emirates Air Line and then walked through the Docklands, and Silvertown, before I reached the Thames Barrier Park.

The weather was warm, with just a few clouds bubbling up from the south, as I stared out across the River Thames towards Woolwich, which was when I took this shot.