Started out early for Swanscombe to meet Harry outside the station. On the journey I realised that ‘London Inheritance” had actually started the walk from Greenhithe station and not Swanscombe despite the walk being named after Swanscombe Peninsular.
The beginning of the walk was very pleasant. The little high street of Greenhithe featured houses ancient and modern.
We then joined the path along the Thames and could look back and see the Q2 Bridge. A strong wind made it bitterly cold and I was definitely underdressed for the conditions. Harry was as warm as toast, well buttoned up to cope with the northerly blast.
We made our way along and headed for the tower. Once underneath the pylon you can feel how impressive it feels.
According to London Inheritance it towers to 693 ft to carry the cables across the Thames to avoid not only the height of shipping but also to avoid the danger of the current being discharged into the boats. Every now and again somebody has to climb the thing for maintenance. It’s never going to be me.
The most interesting part of the tour, not mentioned by London Inheritance was a little creek just beyond the tower. Here sat an old Thames barge built in the 1920s and subsequently used by London education Authorities for kids to learn a bit about the sea.
The creek seemed to be a little world of its own. There were several people working there, some run down shacks that looked like they were inhabited and a few cars that had made their way to the creek across the tracks through the marshes.
We walked on past Broadness Salt Marsh and then onto Botany Marsh. The peninsular is meant to be a haven for bird life but we didn’t spot anything. Perhaps because we were too busy chatting and not looking up.
The final part of the walk was a real disappointment as it concluded in an industrial estate and a main road. We came to Swanscombe Station checked on the times of the trains back to London and then looked for a place to eat. The 2 pubs were both closed permanently and the only choice was between a greasy spoon and a take-away kebab house. Had a bacon sandwich and then took the 2:24 back to London.
Harry came back all the way to London Bridge with me and then headed back out to Greenwich. I carried on to Charing Cross and then walked from there to Maddox Street where I was getting my haircut.
After being successfully shorn I tubed it back home.
Fiona had arranged to have diner with the Jones’s and us in Rickmansworth at Zaza. I offered to give Mark & Fiona a lift. They were suitably impressed by the Tesla.
Mark collared the waiter to order the wine. He knew that I wasn’t drinking any more than a glass and Matt only wanted a beer, because he was the designated driver. He then proceeded to down the rest of the bottle. When we came to the end of the meal he decided to order another glass of red. After the waiter had taken payment he asked for a free amoretto for everyone. He knew Matt and I weren’t going to drink ours and he put 3 shots away in double-quick time. I found the whole episode slightly embarrassing. Why does he need to greedily consume alcohol at other peoples expense.
I will not be returning to Zaza for another meal. Despite very friendly service the food was just not good enough.