Tigger has a half-day off work today and we of course want to make the most of it.

Aboard the 153

Tigger went off to work early and I followed later, first catching a 153 in St John Street and then…

All Hallows, London

…changing in London Wall to a 100. (You can just see it approaching behind other vehicles.

East Dock, St Katharine Docks

As usual, I went down to look at St Katharine Docks and the ships (“boats”?) moored there.

Walking round the dock

When Tigger came out at 11:30, we set off round the docks.

Bridge over the lock

We passed, but did not cross, the bridge that carries pedestrians and vehicles over the lock.

The lock

The lock connects the docks to the Thames and is necessary to preserve the water level in the docks because the Thames is tidal at this point and rises and falls twice a day.

The Thames and Tower Bridge

From the river end of the lock, there is a view of Tower Bridge.

Downstream Thames

Here is the view looking downstream. As a working river with a long history, the Thames is cluttered with all sorts of structures, some still in use, others long abandoned.

Thames Tigers

I had to photograph these speedboats because of their name – Thames Tigers – although I know nothing about them.

Tower Bridge

When you are close to it, you realise how big and powerful Tower Bridge is. Its image appears here, there and everywhere, and it’s easy to forget what it is in reality. It wears the disguise of a medieval fortress to match the nearby Tower of London (see below) but it is a working bridge whose spans can be raised to let tall ships pass through. It was opened ceremonially in June 1894 and who can now imagine a London without a Tower Bridge?

Lunch at Côte
Photo by Tigger

For lunch, we went to a nearby branch of Côte Brasserie. We ordered vegan French onion soup and vegetarian mushroom and camembert tart. What was amusing was the waiter’s excited reaction when we ordered the soup: he declared that he too was vegan and was happy to meet others.

Passing under Tower Bridge

After lunch, we passed through this archway under part of Tower Bridge.

The grounds of The Tower

This led us into the outer grounds of the Tower of London. This part, beside the river, is open to the public whereas you need to buy a ticket to enter inner parts of the Tower.

A glimpse inside

Above is a glimpse inside and below are a two more views from our walk along the outside.

Outside views of the Tower

From the Tower, we continued along the Thames. Here are some of the views.

Views along the Thames

I don’t know what the purpose of these stanchions was but we always observe them carefully because they are a favourite perch for cormorants for drying their wings. Strangely, today we saw only one cormorant and it wasn’t hanging out its wings to dry so hadn’t been fishing. Perhaps their fishing routine is determined by the tide and now was not a propitious moment for that.

Old Billingsgate Fish Market

We passed by this striking building, Old Billingsgate Fish Market for long London’s main fish market. In 1982, its business was moved to Poplar and the building now seems oddly silent compared with the bustle of times past.

London Bridge

Here we are approaching London Bridge. The first, and for a long time only, Thames Bridge in London was sited near here. Many bridges were built in the varying styles of their historical periods. The present, plain but functional, bridge was opened in 1973. Will it too be succeeded by others?

Fish symbol

At a particular moment, we passed between gateposts each of which was embellished by by a fish symbol.

Entrance to Fishmongers’ Hall

The fish on the gate was a sign that we were approaching Fishmongers’ Hall, the headquarters of the Fishmongers’ Company, one of London’s original Livery Companies.

Cousin Lane Stairs

Along both sides of the Thames, one comes across many such flights of steps whose role is to provide access to the river, whether for embarking or disembarking from boats. They are referred to as “stairs” and all are named. Some are more famous than others and many have a tale to tell.

Ornate tunnel-

One of the picture panels

There are many quaint passages and tunnels along the Thames. This one must have a name but I don’t know what it is which is a pity because it is one if the most elegantly decorated with picture panels and subdued lighting.

Leaving the Thanes

We left the riverside by climbing this flight of steps. It was so narrow that we had to wait until people descending had left it clear for us.

Black Sheep Coffee
Photo by Tigger

We found a branch of Black SheepCoffee and went in for a rest and refreshments.

St Mary Aldermary

Opposite Black Sheep we saw a church and, not knowing what church it was, went in to take a look. It turned out to be St Mary Aldermary. Thought to be the City’s oldest church, its name may derive from “Elder Mary”. The church also seems to host the orthodox church of St Nicholas, though how that works, I don’t know.

Impressive ceiling

The church has a rather impressive ceiling.

St Paul’s Cathedral

We now walked to St Paul’s Cathedral and then to a nearby bus stop where…

Aboard the 4

…we caught a number 4 bus that carried us home.

We have the prospect of a relaxed evening ahead and, as I often say on a Friday evening: “The weekend starts here!”