Jo’s Monday walk : London by Moonlight

The Golden Hind on Bankside

The Golden Hind II, on Bankside

I had a brilliant time in London this weekend, staying at the Mercure London Bridge hotel for a 6 Friends Theory event.  I’ll tell you all about it later in the week, but first things first- my Mondays always start with a walk.

You can imagine the amount of walking I did in London!  Let’s just say, my boots need re-heeling.  Friday saw me striding out along South Bank, the air crisp and bright!  On Saturday I took to the canal paths, sandwiching this with a superb guided walk round Old Camden Town. Judith, from London Walks, had a merry twinkle in her eyes as she shared stories of the neighbourhood- everything from George Bernard Shaw to George Melly!

I’m a little short on time to do those walks justice, so I thought I’d do something a bit different this week.  How about a moonlit stroll?   It’s not often that I get to see our capital by night, and it’s a glorious sight.  I had to cut it shorter than planned when the skies suddenly opened!

I've always loved a Tall Ship, and this one's so colourful!

I’ve always loved a Tall Ship, and this one’s so colourful!

Golden Hind II, an authentic replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship, has resided in her berth at St. Mary Overie Dock, Bankside since 1996.  She’s had her share of colourful adventures and has cicumnavigated the globe and featured in four films.  These days her chief activity is to provide living history lessons about Elizabethan maritime history.  The children can swashbuckle a little and dress up as Tudor sailors.  Details of her voyages, along with Drake’s own round the world trip, from 1577 to 1580, are provided in this Wikipedia link.

I love boats and rigging

A complication of rigging!

I mentioned moonlight, and the night was clear and crisp when I left the hotel, on Southwark St., for a short walk to Borough Market.  At Fish the food was delicious!  I needed a stroll afterwards.

How I found space for pudding, I’m not sure
I maybe should have stopped at fish
But really- would you?

From Borough Market, I headed through Clink St. towards Bankside, and lingered by the dock. The lights from the towering buildings and the bridges danced playfully on the water.

Southwark Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral

Southwark Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral

A shock of colour in close up!

A shock of colour in close up!

The air was turning damp and it seemed a good idea to head back towards Clink St.  A familiar shape loomed overhead.  It’s London’s latest landmark, The Shard.

The Shard is visible everywhere!

The Shard- visible everywhere!

Beads of rain blurred the sign

Beads of rain speckled the sign

The remains of Winchester Palace

The remains of Winchester Palace

The rain was gathering conviction and I hastened my steps, though still held in London’s night time spell.  Hood pulled up, it was time for my camera to retreat to safety.  Just a last couple of shots, then it was time to step out swiftly, back to the hotel.

More enchanting by night?
Back on Southwark St. the rain bounces!

If the weather had been better, I might have followed the Thames all night, so perhaps it’s just as well the rain came. The next day dawned clear and sharp, and I was off again.

But those stories will have to wait.  Next Sunday I’m off to the Algarve, so Jo’s Monday walk will be taking a two week breather.  I already have several walks lined up in the Algarve, so I hope you’ll join me when I get back. (16th February)

walking logo

I am so grateful to all the people who have shared walks with me.  You take me to places I could never reach under my own steam.  I only hope that you enjoy my walks as much as I enjoy yours. Please feel free to share them at any time.  My Jo’s Monday walk page will give you the details.

Time to put the kettle on for a cuppa.  There are some wonderful walks coming up!

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Paula has agreed to show us a little of her home city, Zagreb, currently cloaked in winter bareness

A fun walk by the lake

Richard has been a friend for the longest time, and knows the BEST places to go!

The Watergate Bay sunset walk

A walk that I meant to share after my trip to Paris, done beautifully by Debbie.  Thanks for the memory!

Promenading the banks of Canal Saint-Martin

Something I’m very familiar with, but Jude makes it look good!

Wintery Blues

Natural sounds, presented with flair, from Amy this week.  I adore a hibiscus in the rain!

Sounds in Nature

A first for my walks- some wonderful poetry from Esther!  She’ll make you smile, I guarantee  :

Walk in the Woods 

Elizabeth is walking home from work, but don’t feel sorry for her!  I certainly don’t  :

Walking home from work

Is it possible to walk with Drake without smiling?  I don’t think so!

Walkabout in Strasbourg

And Kathryn had me smiling so, with her sweetness.  Let’s go tracking, in the woods!

Monday walk with Jo in mind

Thank you to all my kind and lovely friends!  I’ll try to catch up with you during the week.  Then I may have earned a rest.  Happy walking, everyone!

148 comments

  3. All of it so fascinating. I had never heard of The Shard. (I haven’t heard of most things..lol). I read more about it. Not sure I would want to go up there, but it must look beautiful at night.
    I might want to go up there but getting me to go up there would be a problem. 😦 Kicking and screaming all the way up.

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  5. Pingback: Off-white or rough white | Le Drake Noir

  6. Same here Jo – I rarely see London at night as I usually have to race to Euston to get an 8pm trrain home. Lovely pics, and enjoy Portugal! (By the way, the link for my Watergate Bay is broken).

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    1. So sorry about the link, Richard! I’ve fixed it now and retweeted you. You are unlucky- I’ve checked the other links and they all seem to be ok. A good reminder to me though. I should do this just before I publish to make sure. I will next time.
      Thanks so much for taking part. I’ll be over to read the Dublin post later 🙂

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      1. Cheers Jo – my fault, as I think I edited and re-issued the link I sent you last week.

        Looking forward to finding out more about this mysterious 6 friends theory, and seeing your Portuguese walks.

        Obrigado!

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  9. Pingback: Shooting birds on the lake | Lost in Translation

  11. è bello ritrovarti, cara Jo in questa speciale passeggiata che fa ricordare i bei tempi romantici, i velieri mi hanno sempre affascinata!
    le foto, come sempre, sono straordinarie, grazie mille, ma visto che da tempo sono assente, voglio viaggiare ancora con gli altri tuoi post
    🙂

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    1. A city on the water is always special to me, Ventis. London held my heart from the first time I went there as a teenager. But I’m looking forward to an Algarve breather now 🙂 Hugs, darlin!

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  12. You are right – Shard is visible from everywhere. I love how beautifully lit Southwark bridge is. A beautiful stroll Jo. You present us ships like a true sailor!

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    1. My night photography is not at all good, Paula, but if I can capture the atmosphere without too much dazzle in the shots I’m reasonably happy. Ships are great because there’s so much detail to focus on. Don’t you love the ‘hind’? 🙂

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  14. Your London ramble is delightful – and of course you encounter a boat and a bridge. Such diversity – modern and medieval, and night lights and reflections. A feast! I’m just discovering that moonlight walks are possible in the northern hemisphere even for this early-to-bedder. Dark at 4 indeed!

    My contribution when next you do a Monday walk could be https://warsaw2015.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/shopping-in-praga/
    (if I’m allowed to include a bus and a tram – the photos were all taken walking!)

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    1. Buses, trams, steam engines… all comers welcome, Meg, so long as you stroll a little. :))
      Our short days are a nightmare, aren’t they? Not so bad in the run up to Christmas when everything looks cosy and pretty. My night photography is abysmal but I salvaged the best I could.

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  15. Wow, Jo, I cant think of anything better to do in London than to take a stroll by moonlight. Fantastic atmospheric images, especially the remains of Winchester Palace. It looks quite spooky! I must return to London soon. Thank you, my friend.

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      1. what no walk – well we shall be okay sox breaks are good – and hope u get caught up dear restless one – and here is the one I did not get to last month

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      3. sorry about the typos in my last comment (WTF) and here is the cake from this week’s walk… just in case you missed it – but it is very similar to yours with the icing (I think so)

        Liked by 1 person

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