LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I parked on the Chelsea Embankment by the Royal Hospital and started walking towards the city on the northern bank of the River Thames. I passed the impressive Chelsea Bridge, Grosvenor Railway Bridge, Battersea Power Station, Pimlico Gardens, attractive modern apartment blocks, Vauxhall Bridge, Lambeth Palace, Houses of Parliament, etc, etc. This section seems to have something different and interesting every 100 yds (91.4 metres). With hindsight, this section of the walk should have been split into several sections so that the sights and atmosphere can be enjoyed to the full. The sights are too numerous to mention, particularly all the way up to Wapping. There the path leaves the edge of the river several times and passes along some streets. Due to building works the path leaves the river for an unscheduled time at Canary Wharf, another interesting location. Circumnavigating the Isle of Dogs was a contrast several times, from expensive apartments to main roads. At the Island Gardens the foot tunnel entrance is reached which transfers the path to the South Bank. The Greenwich foot tunnel was an interesting and unusual experience, not to be missed. Being over a 100 years old, it obviously has been built to last, with steps or a lift to a tile-lined tunnel. The tunnel is a cast iron tube with concrete and white glazed tiles. The southern entrance emerges at the site of the Cutty Sark Clipper ship. Unfortunately the ship was being refurbished after a fire on 24 October 2010. It was a short walk into Greenwich town where Bus No 188 travels to Waterloo. I alighted the bus on Waterloo Road by the Travelodge Hotel, where I met my daughter and her husband. It had been a first class walk which should be broken down into several sections to allow more time to absorb the sights.

Location Map: - Start: at Chelsea Bridge - Finish at Greenwich
(Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).