Thames Crossing - The Woolwich (Free) Ferry - Friday 22 August 2014

The last time I did this crossing was way back in January I went the wrong way and ended up going  via Bromley-by-Bow adding a good couple of miles to the walk and I ended up having to run along the ferry approach to catch the last Ferry of the day at 20:00. But that was not the worse part, that was the sense of exposure, almost threat I felt as I walked across the Lower Lea Crossing and turned into Dock Road. Remember this was January, it's was dark, nobody was around, I was in the middle of the Crossrail construction site, well the road that runs through it, a Hanson Concrete factory on one side and high fences and the Docklands Light Raiway high above me on silts on the other side. There was nobody about, it was rather creepy, I felt a little bit more comfortable, when the road opened out into the North Woolwich Road, and I had some new flats on my right. However once the road turned off to for City Airport I entered the realms of Silvertown, never a particularly attractive area dominated by the Tate and Lyle refinery, and the old North London Railway line running down the centre of the road, now it was even worse, the Railway line was, and still is, a construction site for CrossRail and a lot of the buildings down Actory Road have closed and been boarded up, no one was around, it was bleak. I remember getting to work the following Monday and retelling my experiences and stating I would not be going that way until the light evenings return.

Well here I am almost eight months later the light evening have come and are almost gone, so I needed to fulfil my own promise to walk this route once more in the daylight. I need to get there by 20:00 to catch the last Ferry, although not so critical as I can always use the foot tunnel after all that's next week's walk.

I left work at 17:30 slightly later than I anticipated and took almost the same route as last week although rather than walking down the Commercial Road I kept to the back streets, Stepney Way as far as Limehouse. I know this area quite well have delivered a number of local walks for the Ramblers Association a few years back. This route passes through a conservation area, with attractive yellow bricked two up, two down cottages, which 50 odd years ago would have been called slums! 

I passed a chap standing outside his house, with shopping bags and reading a book "left your keys behind?" I called out, he responded with a nod "been there, done that" I replied, well at least it wasn't raining! 

Unlike the other week, when I crossed via the Dangleway, this time the weather was brighter and everything looked a lot fresher, I expect the view from the Dangleway was good this evening

The walk along Dock Road and the North Woolwich Road was not at all threatening this time, it was light, there where people about and traffic was frequently passing me, and as I passed the Docklands Stations there were plenty of people hurrying home to their flats that a) either weren't there before or b) were hidden away in the dark.

One building I definitely did not see before was the Tate and Lyle building, I obviously saw the refinery at Silvertown before, but not this one at West Silvertown, in fact I don't recall having seen it from the other side of the river either.

Tate & Lyle Building

When I arrived at Actory Road I made sure I crossed the Crossrail works at the earliest opportunity as there is still no access to the ferry along this road. Funnily enough the footbridge I used is the original railway footbridge that used to be at Silvertown Station.

Crossrail Site (Tate & Lyle refinery in background)

Actory Road did not feel as threatening this time either, although the Henley Arms, not a pub I would be that keen to visit, was a little, how can I put it? Meanwhile the Crossrail works are progressing, they have built a very impressive eight foot concrete wall down the middle of the road where the North London Line used to run, and is it horrible, yes it is, just what you want when you walk out your front door, but I guess it's required to help reduce the noise of the Crossrail trains which are going to be far more frequent than the old North London Line, that ran at best two trains an hour, one each way.

Nice View!

Poor old Silvertown does not have much to offer, there's been quite a lot of new developments but it's not somewhere you would make a point a visiting, not of course unless your me! It must suffer somewhat as this is where the North Circular Road ends and the ferry crossing to Woolwich is still very popular with heavy and high vehicles as both the Blackwell and Rotherhithe tunnels have height restrictions, so I expect a number of heavy duty lorries rumble through here during the day.

The Woolwich Ferry

There was no need to run to catch the Ferry as it ws only 19:20 and therefore I should be able to catch the 19:30 sailing, although I did note that the road to the approach road was closed with a sign stating the 'Ferry Closed' that was ominous, although turning the corner my fears were proved unfounded as cars where queuing further along the approach road. The problem was that they had taken one of the Ferries out of service which meant I in fact once again ended up catching the last ferry!

Loading the Ferry

The crossing is very quick only about three minutes, plus a a couple of minutes to weigh anchor and dock. There were only about six foot passengers, most of the business no doubt taken by either the foot tunnel or the Docklands Railway. The passenger accommodation below decks is cavanous, there's even some no-smoking rooms!  I stood on the starboard side of the ferry ( actually I don't know which side starboard is) but was asked to move to the Port side for disembarkation.

Anchor's aweigh!

The sky was fairly dramatic, large grey clouds, a slight threat of rain, interspersed with blue and looking up river with distant views of Canary Wharf the sun was begining to set giving the underside of the clouds a warm orange glow. 

View down River

Apparently there's been a river crossing here since the fourtenth century although the present service was introduced in 1889 as a free service established by the Metropolitan Board of Works, the forerunner of the Greater London Council, it was originally served by three paddle steamers named Gordon (after the General of Khartoum, you know Chalton Heston) Duncan and Hutton. The current fleet was introduced in in 1963 and are named after local politicians John Burns, Ernest Bevin and James Newman.

Sunset across the Thames

Having crossed the river I continued home up the hill passing the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich Common and then diverting past the Woolwich Academey up Red Lion Lane to Shooters Hill through the woods past Sevendroog  Castle, which looks very smart now it's been repaired, they have even floodlit it and then home, and another mission accomplished.

And here's the film of the trip on the Ferry about six minutes

Thames River Crossings - Emirates Air Line

Pretentious title for a Cable Car that goes from nowhere and ends up at nowhere, unless you are of the opinion that the O2 is somewhere, I certainly don't, and don't get me going about the cinema there and the free parking arrangements!

I thought I better get the Cable Car now before the dark evenings are upon us once again. This will be my third trip on the Dangleway and I expect my last as I can only take so much excitement, so unless I have a need to visit Royal Victoria again, bye bye Dangleway.

Hanbury Street

Synagogue in Commercial Road

But first things first, I left work at just gone 17:00 and felt in fine fettle, the freshest I have felt walking home since I covered the four odd miles from work to the Dog and Bell in Deptford in a hour back in January. The weather forecast had changed throughout the day, with rain originally forecast I had brought with me full foul weather wear, but by the time I left it was very pleasant, if a little blowy.

My route took me round the back of Spitalfields, across Brick Lane and down onto the Whitechapel  Road, past the London Hospital and then left into Commercial Road (A13) which led me past the Troxy Night Club / Cinema, a fantastic Art Deco building.

The Troxy, Commerial Road

Over the Regents Canal and Limehouse Cut, through Popular,  passing the magnificent All Saints church and DLR station (the former being magnificent) over the Blackwell  Tunnel approach road ( a future Thames crossing!), skirting Bow Creek over the Lower Lea Crossing and past the Crossrail site and round the corner to the Emirates Royal Docks,  a total of 4.9 miles and a far more interesting walk than the Lower Road in Bermondsey / Surrey Quays I did last week.

The Limehouse Cut

The Regents Canal

I mentioned how good I felt when starting out, however, by the time I got to Commercial Road I was beginning to feel somewhat under the weather, light headed and a touch of sickness, this called for emergency action!  I purchased a bottle of lucazade and a double Mars bar, it perked me up a little, just enough to get me to the Cable Car.

Bow Creek

The prices have gone up since I last travelled, the CSO claimed only 10p but I reason at least 30p. It appears now that TFL are putting all their efforts into selling this as Tourist Attraction as opposed to being part of the integrated transport system. All the tickets are geared up to trips on the Cable Car, DLR and the Thames Clipper, with rovers, family tickets and the like. They also have boards advertising local attractions, if you can call them that - Canary Wharf, Container City II (whatever that is), Cutty Sark, Emirates Aviation  Experience (by all accounts not much of an experience), ExCeL London, Greenwich Peninsula, The Crystal?, The O2, Thames Barrier, bit of a walk, Trinity Buoy Wharf, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a nice place but hardly local, Royal Observatory, why catch the Dangleway when you can go by train, and SS Robin, I don't think this is open yet.

The Dangleway was busier than when I last past through, mind you it was dark then and in the winter, but I still managed a pod for myself, the trip took about 13 minutes with a couple of stops mid way. I think I prefer travelling at night as every thing looks better all lit up. Mind you in the sun it would have been better, and I expect at dawn and dusk it's pretty impressive, need to keep an eye out for a suitable opportunity.

The Dangleway

Having landed safely in Greenwich, I made my way to the re-furb  Pilot Inn, now called the Pilot. This has been one of my favourites for some time, I had noticed it had had a make over when passing by a while back, the name change in its self was rather disappointing so I was a little concerned at what I might find. Firstly the garden out
front was very busy with loud speaking locals, entering the Pub I discovered it was very busy, until I realised most people where there for the Shakespeare event in the back garden, A Midsummer's Nights Dream. - hope they did not get too wet! 

Emirates Greenwich Peninsula Station

I found myself a seat with the assistance of a member of staff and ordered my meal, a burger with bacon and stilton and a serving of chips. Whilst the pub looked nice, it was not the Pilot Inn I have enjoyed in the past, gone were the model boats and local knick knacks, gone was the comfortable snug bar (well I found it comfortable) to be replaced with plush seats. The dinning area had smaller tables and taller barrel tables. I guess most people would say it was an improvement but not in my book, but hey I'm a dinosaur! What I can say is that the food was really nice, I reacon that was the best burger I've ever had and the pint of Summer Ale went down a treat too. I did sample a lager, but I just don't like lager and could not drink it, it was a free sample I might add.

By the time I left the Pilot and made my way home the rain set in, I never bothered to put on my jacket and just used my umbrella by the time I got home I was slightly wet. My route took me along Bugsby Way, up Charlton Church Lane, past Charlton House, through Hornfair Park up Shooters Hill and home,
a further 5 miles, I think I arrived home at 21:30. An enjoyable evening!

And here's a video of the Cable Car trip

17:29 London Bridge to Guildford - Friday 1st August 2014

I've been intrigued by this entry on the timetable board for a quite a few months now so I thought it was time to give it ago.

I would catch the service and then walk back the 9 miles to either Horsley or Effingham Junction, however I notice the route supplied by Google walks was again along a A road no doubt a duel carriage way so I'm sort of prepared this week with my GPS and maps, problem is I haven't looked at them yet, and even a couple of torches in case it gets dark!

I don't know what to expect with this train as it's only advertised to run once a day at the same time, will it have any passengers, will it in fact run? I thought I had an explanation when I arrived at London Bridge and it was advertised to Epsom only. Ah, it's one of those trains, advertised to a stop midway on route and as it progresses it announces that it will continue on to another destination further on. This is a popular ploy on the circular routes in South West London. This also means that the train would fit nicely into the Epsom timetable.

And then the announcement came, 'Passengers travelling to Guildford on the 17:29 please beware that this train will terminate at Epsom tonight owing to Staff shortages' or some other bollocks. 'Passengers travelling to stations beyond Epsom to Guildford will need to catch a connecting service at Epsom'. Great, that spoils my whole evening and instead of arriving at 18:44 God knows when I will arrive at Guildford, I even left work to ensure I caught this train, sod it. 

I checked the trains, next train to Guildford is 18:47 arrive 19:20, to late, I need three hours to do my nine miles. instead I can catch the 18:15 to Effingham Junction and walk back to Guildford, means I can walk the country part in daylight - still bollocks though!

Route to Epsom takes me through some old haunts, West Croydon, Waddon and of course Epsom, not been to any of those stations for years. Went past the new depot at West Norwood looks impressive. Typical commuter train no talking (mind you that's how I like it) but today it would have been good to eavesdrop into a conversation or two!

Epsom Station

Effingham train arrived on time, at least I can visit Effingham never been there, I was underwhelmed by the place, well the station anyway. Lots of other people got off but stayed on the platform, a Guildford train was due from Waterloo via Woking the other line that makes up the junction in Effingham.

I only planned my route in between the previous station, Bookham, and Effingham so it was a bit off the cuff but started off pretty well walking along a nice country lane and then into a pleasant residential street with some very nice houses.

Leafy Lanes near West Horsley

Everyone is welcome!!

I was walking between East and West Horsley, East Horsley appeared more friendly, as West Horsley, had signs making everyone aware that cold callers were not welcome (good idea), and that a community neighbourhood watch and speed control was in place. Not sure what a community speed control area is, maybe report each other if found speeding! East Horsley also boasted a Mortiboys Dental Spa, conjures up all types of images, dentists in leather shorts extracting teeth whilst having a sauna, as well as very large Remembrance Day Poppies on lampposts, either leftovers from last November or something to do with the 100th anniversary of WWI.

Unfortunately the Horsley's were not immune from fly tipping, a huge pile of builders rubble was dumped in a field, it's a shame someone had left the double gates open or maybe one of the residents took objection to the community speeding initiative!

After my outings on the London Loop this walk was pleasantly quite enjoyable, although there was still the inevitable golf course and path between two high fences. I touched upon some National Trust land in Hatchlands Park. I was treated to some big skys as I crossed open parkland with the odd oak dotted on the horizon. However, as I got closer and closer to Guildford the countryside began to get dodgy, but at least not to the extent of some of the places I went to in early June, I was treated to the sight of a Deer and I even had time to get my camera out to take a photo but decided not to post it as it blurred!.

East Clandon

Only saw two people outside either their cars or houses all the way between Effingham and the outskirts of Guildford. This was a middle age couple, I think that's the term you apply to people of my age, they were making their way to the Barley Mow, the Village Pub and Diner, and very nice it looked too. Mrs Middle Age left a slipstream of perfume as she passed me down one of those narrow paths with high hedges, in this case, on each side.

As I arrived on the outskirts of Guildford at a place called Merrow I checked the trains and found there was one at 21:50 from London Road (Guildford) that would get me to Waterloo in time for the 23:05 train home (assuming no one trespassed on the railway between Clapham Junction and Waterloo and the power does not have to get cut off). The time was 21:00 so I needed to speed up to ensure I caught that train whilst navigating my way around the the diabolically confusing road layout of Merrow, very nice I expect but not when you're in a rush to catch a train. As it happened I made in in good time with about six minutes to spare.

Big sky's

So not an entirely successful evening, I now need to re attempt the trip again, Beverley says I have too many rules, problem is she just doesn't get it!

Oh yes we did have trespasser, finally got home at 00:15.