We started, as we often do, with coffee at Jusaka, then strolled down St John Street to the bus stop where we boarded a 431. We charged at Waterloo to a188 which delivered us here:

In sight of the Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is a famous survival, one of the fastest of the old tea clippers, now residing in retirement in Greenwich. We did not visit it today but you can find more about it here.

Greenwich Market

We passed through Greenwich Market which, with its mixture of stalls, small shops and pubs, is a fascinating place to visit and explore. We did not tarry here today though we have done so on previous occasions.

Church of St Alfege

We stopped to take photos of the big church dedicated to St Alfege. The church dates reputedly from the Middle Ages but was rebuilt in 1712–1714 to designs by Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Collonade

As you can see, this church is hard to photograph because if its size and the busy road full of traffic.

Café Rouge

Before doing anything further, we decided that it was time for lunch. Near the church is a branch of the chain of faux-français cafe restaurants, Café Rouge. Vegetarian options are limited and we tend to have the same dishes each time but they were well cooked and presented so I have no complaints.

Drinking fountain, St Alfege Park

We decided to take a stroll in St Alfege Park. Just inside the entrance (coming from the church) is a drinking fountain. An inscription tells us that it was placed by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association but does not give a date (not one that we could see, anyway).

St Alfege Park

The land of the park was bought by the church in 1716 as a burial ground. When burial grounds within London were closed in 1853, this one, like many, was landscaped as a public park by the removal of the gravestones and levelling of the ground. A few of the larger tombs have been left in place as points of interest. Trees, shrubs, grass and a few well placed benches make this a pleasant area in which to stroll or sit and watch the squirrels and birds.

Avenue

An avenue runs through park but it is also enjoyable to follow a meandering path as fancy directs or to sit and relax in the calm atmosphere.

Deptford Creek

We walked along a road where we could catch a bus to begin our journey home. It crosses this waterway which I assumed was a canal, although it was unusually broad for that. Had I known the name of the road – Creek Road – that would have given me a clue, for this is Deptford Creek, part of the Ravensbourne River.

The Hoy

A little further along we saw this old pub, looking rather sorry for itself. It is called The Hoy which is a kind of boat of the sort that might have sailed into the Creek. The pub dates from pre-Victorian times (1820s) but, sadly, seems to have closed down. What fate awaits it?

Our bus came and although its published destination was Russell Square, it terminated one stop short of Waterloo Station and expelled us.

Giant spider

We found that we were beside a park called Waterloo Millennium Green, so we went in and walked through part of it towards the station. I saw two sculptures but was unable to find any information as to the artist. The first was a giant metal dragonfly and the second, the giant metal spider shown above.

People enjoying the sunshine

The day had started cool (around 14°C) but by now was warm (around 21°C) and people were sitting on the grass, alone or in groups, in various states of undress, enjoying the sunshine.

Pigeons enjoying the sunshine

An area of grass had been left clear of humans and it amused me to see a flock of pigeons taking their ease there just like the people.

We walked to the station and the bus stop where we could catch a 341 back to the Angel. Naturally, we took a photo or two while waiting.

The Wellington Hotel

This, as you can see, is the Wellington Hotel, or rather, part of it. The hotel and pub comprise what look like several buildings. Included in this is an extraneous structure which, if nothing else, confers a feeling of novelty to the hotel.

Disused railway bridge

A railway bridge goes right through the middle of the hotel buildings. Is there any other hotel that can makes same claim? Fortunately, the bridge is no longer used for trains or it might otherwise be very disturbing for guests. Above it, though, a modern pedestrian bridge is suspended.

Looking down the road, Tigger suddenly said she could see a horse… on the roof of a building! It was hard to see or photograph, being so far away.

Can you see a horse?

The alleged horse is on the red builing just to the left of a flag pole.

A horse? Maybe…

I have cropped the photo as far as the resolution will allow. It certainly looks like a horse but that can be an illusion.

Speculation was curtailed by the arrival of our bus which carried us back to the Angel.