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!
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.
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.
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
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- visible everywhere!
Beads of rain speckled the sign
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.
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)
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
Richard has been a friend for the longest time, and knows the BEST places to go!
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!
Natural sounds, presented with flair, from Amy this week. I adore a hibiscus in the rain!
A first for my walks- some wonderful poetry from Esther! She’ll make you smile, I guarantee :
Elizabeth is walking home from work, but don’t feel sorry for her! I certainly don’t :
Is it possible to walk with Drake without smiling? I don’t think so!
And Kathryn had me smiling so, with her sweetness. Let’s go tracking, in the woods!
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!
restlessjo 
A nice change of pace at moonlight, Jo, especially in a busy metropolitan area. I liked the light and shadows cast in the windows of Winchester Cathedral.
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It was surprisingly peaceful on Bankside in the evening, Sammy. That was one of the many things I liked about being there. 🙂
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Oh, I wish I could still walk more than a short distance! But never mind, I can still walk a little, and am getting familiar with the London bus routes so that I can do a bit of exploring when I’m up there!
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I walked very little distance that evening, Sue, though I made up for it over the weekend. In London, you never have to walk far before you can find something of interest. 🙂
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That is very true…but I have say, there are times when I just want to keep walking to see more…and more!!
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I loved your walk and the amazing colours in the photographs. I believe the Golden Hind used to be moored in Brixham in Devon in earlier times, although I might also be wrong about that, unless there are two of them of course 🙂
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There are indeed two of them, Peter 🙂 The Wikipedia link in the post gives full details, including a rather charming youTube video of the wreck of it, moored at Dartmouth since it sank in a storm in 1987. Amazing what you can find in a blog! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for the inspiration Jo! We’ll be spending 4 nights in London at the end of an Ireland road trip this summer, so an evening walk will definitely be on the cards. You’ve also given me a couple of places to think about that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered! (Including Winchester Palace!)
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I envy you! There’s just so much to see in the city 🙂
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I know! And only 4 days to cram it all in. We’re just after giving the teens a taster. It will be fun! 🙂
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BEE-YOU-TEA-FULL!! Ah, those ships and bridges and moonlight… Who cares for the Tower of London after that 😉
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Well, if the weather had stayed fine I might have made it to the Tower and Catherine’s Dock (by a very roundabout route) Elena 🙂
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I’ve just recently discovered your blog – lovely! Here’s my Monday walk, also a night-time one Electric Gardens
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That’s wonderful, Anabel! Thank you for joining us 🙂 As you may have read on my walks page, I share the walks on social media this week and then list them at the bottom of my walking post the following week. This way everyone gets maximum exposure. I’m away for 2 weeks so I’ll be listing this on the post published 16th Feb. Hope that’s ok? 🙂
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Of course! Have a great break.
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A wonderful night time tour Jo – loved going on this with you. Have a lovely week.
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Sparkly water, full of lights, always excites me, Mary. I loved it 🙂
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Always enjoy your Monday walk Jo! The ship looks awesome! Have a great week ahead!
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Thanks, Indah! My night time photography skills are severely limited, but I loved trying to capture the atmosphere. 🙂
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great shots, Jo! london at night must be fun!
i was there in sept and met friends at leiscester square. buzzling at night and we certainly had lots of fun!
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I think it’s a few years since I was in the city, LolaWi, so it was quite a treat! Thanks a lot 🙂
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I love London at night time – especially walking along by the river. One of my favourite spots to stand is on the Golden Jubilee bridge where you can see the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. There’s just so much to catch the eye in that view.
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I did that in the daytime, Elaine (on Friday, on my way to the Globe, and then the hotel) but the weather wasn’t much for going further on the night. 🙂
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the little sign that said “you are my lobster” was so cute.
and thx for the moonlight stroll – I was really looking forward to your monday walk this weekend – funny how little traditions start to sink in –
and the blue lights in some of the shots was fav
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I liked that too, Yvette. (lobster sign) The blogger sat next to me was very professional and had a little battery powered lamp she shone on the table before taking her food shots. I ‘borrowed’ some light from her but she was pointing it the other way when I took the lobster shot 😦
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well you got enough to show it – 🙂
thanks for a moonlight walk this week — ahhhh (leaving still thinking of the choc cake)
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London looks glorious at night via your lens, Jo! Fabulous walk and beautiful shots. Here is my contribution for this week: https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/architecture-walking-tour-of-downtown-fort-worth-for-jos-monday-walk/ Thank you, Jo! 🙂
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It’s a lovely city, Amy, and I was pleasantly surprised at how peaceful it was on the Embankment at night. (the tube was a different story! 😦 ) Thanks for the share, hon. 🙂
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Your moonlit walk took me to the same places I walked last April Jo. Cool night photography there – did you use a tripod or do you have a very steady hand? I love the blue bridge! No walk from me this week, I’m trying to finish off some antipodean posts and hopefully one you will like 🙂 Have a great time in the Algarve (how could you not?) enjoy the warmth and the relaxation and those wonderful beaches.
Jude xx
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I have a very wobbly hand and a clever camera, Jude, because I don’t possess a tripod. My night shots are more about atmosphere than technique, and there was lots of that. I didn’t have many shots that I could use- just enough, I think! 🙂
Not sure how good the weather will be in the Algarve, Jude, but over 2 weeks we should get a little sunshine (and some almond blossom 🙂 ) Thanks, hon. Take care!
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Well I am always happy to see almond blossom (hint, hint)
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Your night shots are lovely! I be doing the same, walking in London in any weather…and loving every minute.
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The atmosphere is wonderful, Elisa, and it was much quieter on the South Bank than I expected. I’m no crowd lover so it was perfect! 🙂 My night shots are more atmosphere than technique, but thank you very much.
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Marvelous–thanks for the recount of your experience.
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Hi Sally! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit 🙂 I was like a kid with 2 icecreams! (and it WAS cold 🙂 )
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Thanks for the lovely moonlit stool, Jo. Your photos are fantastic! I love the ship too.
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Stroll…not stool! Ack! 🙂
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No worries, Jill! A moonlit stool would come in very useful 🙂 🙂
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Wunderschöne Fotos wünsche eine gute glückliche Woche lieber Gruß Gislinde
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Vielen danke, Gislinde 🙂 🙂
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Love that South Bank walk in London, just shame I couldn’t make it to the Mercure event with you. I do have a walk though from last week! Just across the channel in Paris’ St Germain: http://www.ontheluce.com/2015/01/20/st-germain-paris-walking-tour/
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I didn’t know anybody, Lucy, and I was far beyond my comfort zone, but it was a great experience. I learned a bit and made some new friends, and got to see quite a lot of London for such a short stay. 🙂
Looking forward to your Paris walk! Thank you so much 🙂 How were the Cotswolds?
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Cotswolds were lovely – chilly but sunny, will get some pics up when I get a chance to sort through. London Bridge is a great bit of the city to be based in, so easy to get around and see lots. Sounds like a fun evening too!
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Great walk Jo! Have fun on your trip next week. Here’s my winter walk in Virginia: http://megtraveling.com/2015/01/26/a-winter-walk/
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I’m hoping it’s a little warmer in the Algarve than here, Meg, but I’m told there’s blast of snow heading south. Hope to dodge it, but whatever happens I’ll make the most of it 🙂
Many thanks to you for the walk! I appreciate it 🙂
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