Tower Bridge to Rotherhithe
The visitors at the Tower of London are numerous with more gathering from the nearby Tower Hill Tube Station. Seated beneath Tower Bridge, I contemplate that this is the last remaining crossing before the Thames Barrier; five miles to Greenwich and a further three miles to the Barrier.
I crossed Tower Bridge to the south bank. Beyond Tower Bridge it's incredible to think how many wharf and warehouse buildings there were serving the Thames. At Shad, the area is very evocative of the dock and trading past. Beyond Saviours Wharf, there are lots more appartments and small snatches of riverside walking. In times past, there has to have been armies of workers serving these revamped waterfronts; I wonder whether I am tumbling along with the souls of dead dockers.
Soon the view of Tower Bridge (which includes St Paul's briefly), has gone. Likewise the Canary Wharf Tower that was visible earlier has vanished for now. In the compact outdoor area of the Mayflower Pub, Gun Wharf lies opposite across the river. There is a Brunel Museum nearby, but I am keen to continue on.
Click on a thumb-nail picture to enlarge the image
What follows are more snatches of the river in view again - bits of waterfront between streets. A couple of monuments to be seen include Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket, and Dr Selby. Dr Selby was a local man who supported local health-based reform; having dramatically positive effects such as lowering the number of maternal deaths during childbirth, whilst improving childhood mortality. Dr Selby's statue is a touching one - a life-sized, seated figure waving to a small child (his young daughter). The child reclines smiling against the wall. The scene is completed by a cat atop the wall nearby, that appears about to slink forwards. Several empty beer cans litter the ground at the child's feet. In Rotherhithe Street, the Canary Wharf Tower dominates the way ahead.
