"Today I'm re-sitting my BCS Specialist Certificate in Change Management exam which I failed by one mark back in June, this gives me a a great opportunity to re-attempt my assault on the Woolwich Foot Tunnel as the exam kicks off at 14:30 and last only a hour and a half which means I should be on my way by 16:00.
As it happens I complete the exam in an hour and a quarter so I'm ready to be on my way by 15:45. Incidentally the exam went well and if I don't pass I think I will give up taking exams. At my age why I'm I doing it, self esteem I guess.
It's a really lovely afternoon, the suns out and it's warm, after the disappointing August, September is proving to be a real gem of a month let's hope it keeps it up as I'm on holiday at the end of the month!
Incidentally whilst walking to my exam across Tower Bridge I was held up as it was opening for a Thames Barge, full of City types all boozed up and shouting and jeering as they went under the bridge. Also passing under the bridge was the London City corporation rubbish tug returning with empties from Purfleet, I had seen that depot whilst walking the final leg of the LOOP.
I sat the exam at the QA centre in St Catherine's Dock so the first part of my walk was through the dock to enable me to get on to the Highway, as today's walk which is all about getting to North Woolwich as quickly as possible. I'm aiming for 18:00 as the tunnel should be fairly busy then. My route takes me along the Highway past St George's in the East, and the a diversion into Shadwell Basin, but I'm soon back on the Highway.
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| Shadwell Basin |
A few people are about, mainly young women with small children in pushchairs. It's then through Limehouse, lots of cyclists on their way home from work or whatever. I need to keep my wits about me or I will get runover!
Then it's past Westferry DLR station and now I have to follow the busy A1261 Aspen Way along the top end of Canary Wharf. I past the futuristic Canary Wharf CrossRail station in the making, looks a bit like a chrysalis.
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| Canary Wharf CrossRail station |
Then past Billingsgate Market, the smell of fish is quite strong, strange to think that when they moved out here I doubt there was very much here, one of the reasons they moved was traffic congestion, I don't expect its much better here now.
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| Billingsgate Market |
I pass Popular DLR and before I know it I'm at the Lower Lea Crossing, the views from the bridge are improved with the nice weather and today the tide is in, very impressive. I make my way to the Dangleway on The Royal Victoria Dock stopping off for a few minutes to film the DLR at Royal Victoria.
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| DLR at Royal Victoria |
I walk along the side of the dock as I did a couple of weeks ago. This time I cross by the footbridge at the end of the City Airport. I notice today that the planes are taking off and landing the opposite way to two weeks ago.
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| Royal Victoria Dock |
I stand by the dock for a few minutes waiting for a plane to arrive but can't stay long as sped is of the essence today. This footbridge brings me out near the airport terminus and a huge sculpture in the middle of the roundabout of a impression of a naked lady called Athena, looks quite impressive against the blue sky unfortunately my photo does not do it justice.
So it a a mile and half from here to the ferry along Albert Road, does not look as bad as last time, I'm still fascinated by the Tate & Lyle refinery and manage to grab a photo from the middle of the road. Again not many people about, a couple of guys I overtake in deep conservation amble along. But before long I have to stop something is rubbing on my foot, a couple of weeks ago, when I was down here for the DLR crossing at George V I tripped I did not think much about then but since I've realised I've not exactly twisted my ankle but strained my shin if that's possible. Anyway before I left home I had strapped it up, but now it was giving me grief. I stopped to check it out, oh dear a blister, I quickly pop it but I also remove the skin so I've now got an exposed blister, not good. I don't put my bandage back on as that caused the problem. I will just have to see how I get on. As it happens no problem, although it was sore the following morning.
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| Tate & Lyle from Albert Road |
I return to my walk passing the couple of guys I had passed previously. North Woolwoch does not look so bad in the early evening sunlight and with the trees in leaf although beginning to turn. This walk is quickly becoming my favourite, mind you I don't think I will do during the winter, but hey who knows!
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| Woolwich |
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| North Woolwich |
I arrive at the foot tunnel, the Ferry does not look busy, well what I mean there's no huge queue! I descend into the bowls of the earth and walk along the tunnel. What can I say about a walk through the tunnel, it's round, it's long, it's echoey, it's bright, it has white glazed tiles and it looks similar to the Greenwich foot tunnel. It also has a mid point marker. Theres a few people walking along it not taking much notice of the keep left convention, not many bikes, one I think. I'm soon across the other side and it's barely gone six, I'm making really good time.
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| Towards North Woolwich |
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| Towards Woolwich |
So it up the hill out of Woolwich. Vere off at the Academy and up Red Lion Lane. Beverley phones me and let's me know the trains were up the creek tonight so I had chosen a good day for it!
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