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 
You make me very nostalgic for dear old Blighty Jo it is so stunning in the night time, quite romantic strolling along the Thames. I would like to get back for one more visit before I am too old to travel all that way to the UK.
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It’s a long haul from where you are now, Pauline, but I so hope you make it! And in the meantime I know you have lots of memories. Do you have any family or friends remaining over here? I’m sure I’ve asked you before, darlin’, but I’m so forgetful of details. I see you and Jack as forever young. May it always remain so 🙂
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Thank you for your kind comment. You’re right about the memories Jo and also have thousands of photos in case my memory starts to fade. I still have a sister and a very good friend from my school days that I keep in touch with.
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This is one of my very favourite London walks, and as a Londoner, seeing it looking so beautiful by moonlight really made my heart sing. Thank you 🙂
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Do you know, Tanya, that when I first started blogging what I wanted to do was to make people’s heart sing, as mine sometimes does when I’m out and about. I’m so glad that I could make this happen for you. And so very glad that you have told me so! Hugs to you 🙂 I’m beaming from ear to ear!
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Walking! My favorite thing – why did it take me so long to find you? I may stay up all night reading just this one walk page. Thanks for the great reading (I am going to London this October, and will definitely swashbuckle) All the best – Susan
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Thanks a lot, Susan 🙂 My eyes are half closed as I write this. I was up at 5am watching Nadal (another of my passions 🙂 ) Nice to meet you.
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A night walk! That’s been an original way of visiting London, I specially like the picture of the colors of the bridge. Thanks for taking us with you 🙂
I’d like to join Monday Walks with this walk around Vientiane, Laos:
https://colibrist.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/experimental-travel-vientiane-laos/
Thanks, happy travels and happy walks!
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Glad you enjoyed it and many thanks for coming along on the walks. I look forward to seeing a little of Ventiane 🙂
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Love the London walk. So many beautiful sights and very relaxing. One of the things that I can’t forget about London was its walk, walk, walk. But I enjoyed it, it kept me healthy and discovered so many wonderful places. Thanks for sharing your memorable trip. God bless and all the best to you and your family.
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I was just a teenager when I first went to London, Mr. B. It won my heart and I love it still. Thanks for sharing my walk today. 🙂 Hoping you have a happy week!
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Such a wonderful walk Jo with so many gorgeous pictures. Night photography is not easy but you hit it every time. Sorry that I was absent from last week’s walks – had a bit of a blog blow-up (hosting sever issue) and I am still in recovery mode. But have been doing lots of nice walks during the day and hope to have another walk to share with you in a week or two!.
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Happy you can join me today, Lisa 🙂 No hurries with a walk as I don’t have internet at home in the Algarve. I loved that night time atmosphere in London. A real treat for me 🙂
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Enjoy your 2 week breather! I may still queue up a draft post this week in anticipation of your return. 😃
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I always love anything to do with London Jo especially topical for me at present with my younger daughter living there (she was staying near The Shard at first too). The city always looks so special at night – love the juxtaposition of the old and new I don’t think I’ve seen the remains of Winchester Palace and I only lived in London for 9 years! You can almost see the ghosts in the shadows excellent idea for a walk. Hope you have a lovely relaxing time in the Algarve 🙂
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Thanks, Rosemay 🙂 I wasn’t aware of Winchester Palace either till I walked past and saw those lovely ruins spotlit. So atmospheric 🙂
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Your pictures of food are making me hungry!
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Just picked up your comment at breakfast time, Carol. Not sure that I could do sticky toffee pud this early 🙂
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True, maybe later!
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Nice! The bridges weren’t lit up like that when I lived there, I like it!
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The riverside is a pretty good place to be in London, Elizabeth. I’ve always loved it, but over the years it’s certainly been prettied up a lot. 🙂
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Oh Jo, how wonderful to take a moonlight stroll through London. Hubby and I used to go to London a lot when we first met and I love it at night time. I love Tall Ships too, they conjure up so many wonderful stories from an era long gone. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get a walk in before you leave for your trip, having got so behind after my laptop woes from last week. But I’ll be sure to have one ready and waiting for you when you get back! Will catch up before you leave… 🙂
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It’s maybe 5 years since I was in the city, Sherri, and I still get excited whenever I go back. The days were so clear and bright and then that rain washed everywhere clean. Wonderful! 🙂
Don’t hurry love! You have lots of commitments. 🙂
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The moonlight walk was such a different view of London. Have a good rest and holiday .
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I thought it would be a quick and easy post to do, but as always I got involved and interested. It’s a good way to be 🙂 Thanks a lot!
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Winchester Palace looks so intriguing by moonlight that I will have to make a point of doing a night stroll there next time I visit London. In reheeled boots of course. 🙂
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I didn’t linger long enough to explore the history but I’m sure you’ll do that for me 🙂 It was that canal path that did for the boots!
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Love your shots Jo – you’ve captured so much of London’s atmosphere. Glad to hear you had a fabulous time 🙂
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Thanks, Suze! 🙂 I’m no night photographer but I had to capture a bit of that glimmer on the water 🙂
Enjoy San Fran? 🙂 When do you see Viveka?
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Hard to capture night time shots Jo but you got them beautifully. Got back from SF tonight and seeing Viveka on Thursday and really looking forward to it 🙂
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You must be wrecked! Sleep well 🙂
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London by moonlight looks splendid and your images of it are so good. 🙂
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Thank you very much! 🙂 The atmosphere was lovely and I think maybe I captured a little of that.
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Jo I could not resist and clicked on the 6 friends theory event. A chance to go around the world?! Oh my goodness shall I cross my fingers and toes for you?
Thank you for the walk about London. always a delight to see the world through your eyes. Have a lovely time in the Algarve!
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I’m not in the running for the main event, Sue! My video making skills are non existent and there are so many younger and smarter folks out there, as I found out on Friday! 😦 I’m just involved in the promotional stuff. Nice of you to think along those lines though 🙂
Many thanks! I need a little r and r 🙂
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Well what a fabulous project to be involved in. I’m filled with intrigue. Have a good rest and I will await the details.
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Your shot of St. Paul’s is really stunning, Jo! The beautiful indigo of Southwark Bridge would be perfect for the ‘Colour of the week’ challenge. So much indigo on the blogs this week. 🙂 Have a great trip to the Algarve. It doesn’t seem more than five minutes since your last visit. How time flies!
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I haven’t had time to check out most of the challenges this week, Ad. Trying hard to catch up before I go to the Algarve and get ‘all behind’ again 🙂 Funny, it seems ages ago to me!
Thank you so much! I haven’t done much night stuff so it’s very hit and miss.
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