all the way to Woolwich (and back)
On Weds Emma went to Paris with her cousin Jane. So without my sidekick I decided to have a bit of an explore round some of the finer places of South London on my bicycle. I started by picking up a few bits and bobs for Emma’s Birthday in Camden then back to London Bridge and headed East along the river path. I’ve done this route a few times before but not headed out this far. I went through Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Greenwich, past the dome (or O2 as it’s now called) and onwards to the Thames Barrier.
Cue cliché style picture of Thames Barrier. I dread to think how many similar pictures have been taken of this. What is most interesting about the trip so far is just how quickly the path by the river descends into quarries and factories. As soon as you leave the O2 then you’re going past industrial units and odd bad housing development. It really is an odd area. It completely lacks the cohesion of central London and feels distinctly suburban and very un-loved.
After the Thames Barrier I headed on past more broken windows and people smoking dope by the river to the Woolwich Ferry. Surprisingly it’s free for pedestrians and cyclists. Only takes a few minutes and you’re over in beautiful Woolwich. When I say beautiful I mean smelly, run down and just nasty really. Anyway, back West along a cyclepath next to the main road and on to the Thames Barrier Park.
Had been meaning to go and see this for a while. It’s a beautiful park in an otherwise grotty area. Had a bit of a rest here before continuing back along the river. On the North side it’s a lot harder to stay next to the Thames. I managed to pick up a trail every now and then but it was mainly roads. Bizarrely as I was going through the Isle of Dogs I stopped at a pedestrian crossing and waited for a guy to cross, the car next to me tooted and gave me the thumbs up! Thanks for stopping I guess.
Anyway, headed back to the City and down Bishopsgate and over London Bridge. Met Vaughan for a quick coffee and chat then went to meet Jim for some drinks in Camberwell.
It was actually a long old ride and was one of the hottest days of the year. Anyway, nice to see a different part of London.