Read about the Huguenots here
Places – NaBloPoMo – Day 28
Thames Frost Fair Cruise 2018 – NaBloPoMo – Day 27
In 2018 I became obsessed with anything to do with the Thames Frost Fairs. In the distant past the Thames often iced over. This was due to the way old London Bridge was built. The River was then much wider and shallower than today, so in winter the arches of London Bridge (which were close together) became blocked with ice and this acted like a damn slowing the Thames and helping it to freeze over.
The first recorded Frost Fair was 1607/8 and the ice was thick enough for people to walk on from Southwark to the City. Between 1607 and 1814 there were seven major Frost Fairs, with smaller ones in other years.
A Frost Fair was a time for enjoyment for all. Tents were pitched, whole Oxen were roasted, entertainters performed, there was music and dancing and you could play skittles or skate. Traders set up stalls and sold various goods as well as food and drink. And where there is money there are also pickpockets. Of course there were accidents too, when the ice thinned and people, tents and buisnesses went down in the the icy water. I have provided two links to information about the Frost Fairs here and here.
When I found out that the Museum of London was running a river cruise on the theme of the frost fairs I was quick to book tickets. It was a lovely late afternoon trip with refreshments. We had onboard guides and were given printed photos and maps and information leaflets. The guides were happy to answer any questions. I even mades notes!
The cruise began at Westminster Pier and took us Greenwich via all the London landmarks like The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and the O2. At Greenwich the boat turned around. At that point we went up on deck and braved the cold to enjoy the journey back in the dark. London looked lovely with all the lights on. I’m still obsessed with the Frost Fairs and have read novels set during those times as well as historical articles.
Canizarro Park/Wimbledon Common – NaBloPoMo – Day 26
I was last in Canizarro Park during the first lockdown. Today the weather was supposed to be sunny but cold. It was cold alright. No sun though! Even so, it was nice to walk through the gardens and also to see Christmas coming to Wimbledon Villiage.
The cafe in the park (which belongs to the hotel) is still not open, but they do have a van parked next to it that is selling drinks, though I have to say they are expensive for the size of them. Still, on a cold day it was still welcome.
Something I missed on my last visit was the Herb Garden, a lovely and rather secluded place with plenty of seating – an idea place to sit and write, read or just relax.
Fulham, London – NaBloPoMo – Day 25
Bishop’s Park was opened in 1893 by The London County Council and was given by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The gardens are Listed Grade II on the register of parks and gardens of special historic interest maintained by English Heritage.
As well as the planting and the water features the park has playgrounds for children and a skate park, a sandpit, climbing equipment and grassed areas for ball games. Yesterday the play areas were very busy.
Further along the path you are taken away from the Thames for a while as you go around the outside of Fulham Football Club. The club is in the process of building a new stand so there are workmen and lorries everywhere. I have been to this ground once a few years ago to watch Tottenham Hotspur play Fulham. I’m a Spurs fan and it was my Fulham supporter son who got tickets for me and my other son to go. The two of us sat at oppostie sides of the stadium, and too far away to wave to one another! Spurs won that day! You can find out more about Fulham Football Club here.
On the walk back from I took a couple of photos from outside Bishop’s Park. As I said yesterday, the gardens are sandwiched between Fulham Palace and the Thames Path.
Putney and Fulham by the River Thames – NaBloPoMo – Day 24
Today was the perfect day for a walk. The sun was out and it was warm. This wasn’t a long walk, just stroll along the Thames and a quick walk around the gardens at Fulham Palace. The house isn’t currently open, nor the cafe, but I have been around the house in the past.
Fulham Palace had been the residence for the Bishops of London since AD704, mainly used as a summer retreat away from the noise and dirt of London. The grounds were extensive. In the mid 13th century the original manor house was abandoned and the foundations for the new house (above) are from around that time. Over the years Bishops made alterations and built on. The last Bishop left in 1973 when the house was taken over by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. In 2011 the house was taken over by a charitable trust and has continued to be restored to its former glory. It is well worth a visit. See here for more details.
The walk along the Thames was lovely and had I walked on I would have shortly been in Hammersmith. You can see Hammersmith Bridge in the distance in one of these photos. Tomorrow I will post some photos of Bishop’s Park which is sandwiched between the river and Fulham Palace.
London Music – NaBloPoMo – Day 23
Some songs about London. Now, that’s novel, isn’t it?!
Thames Bridges – NaBloPoMo – Day 22
Having walked quite a stretch of the Thames Path in the last few years, I’ve walked on and by a number of bridges crossing the River Thames. So today I would like to share some with you. With one week left of NaBloPoMo I wondered if anyone wanted to see anything specific about London. Maybe a museum, gallery, area of London. If I have it in my back catelogue I can share it, or it might be something for the future when travelling and visiting places becomes easier in the UK. Do leave me a comment.
Beaches and sea – NaBloPoMo – Day 21
At this time of year when I miss the sea and the sunshine, I thought it would be nice to revisit some of these places and bring back the old magic of summertime. Do you have a favourite season? I think you can guess mine!
NaBloPoMo – Day 20
To be part of NaBloPoMo this year is difficult, especially for a travel blog when one is supposed to be spending more time indoors. We are half way through a four week lockdown, and the weather hasn’t exactly played ball. We are told not to use public transport unless we need to, yet people with cars can drive where they like to visit open spaces and gardens. We don’t own a car so I can only walk or use public transport. So far I have only used the bus for short journeys. Today I used my legs for a local walk along the railway cut and my local park.
If you look there are still points of colour around to brighten up a gloomy day, which today has been. I knew there was rain on the way, so I got out in the morning. By the time I was walking home the rain was spitting and it has just got worse as the day has gone on.
Anyway, enjoy the photos.
NaBloPoMo – Day 19 -Hammersmith Bridge
This is the 133 year old bridge that has been closed to traffic and pedestrians since August this year as it has become too dangerous to cross due to micro-fractures in the cast iron pedestals. The bridge was designed by Joseph Bazelgette, a famous English civil engineer. This is not the first time the bridge has been closed. A few years ago only pedestrians were allowed over. It was considered too dangerous for heavy traffic.
The closure of the bridge has caused a lot frustration for local people living either side of the river as they have to drive so much further. It is particularly bad for school children who would normally cross to reach their schools. There have been talks about having a ferry crossing, but it all seems to be taking an age. This time round boats cannot even pass under it, so it causing havoc with Thames cruisers who have already lost money due to Covid pendamic.
I don’t know why they can’t just send in the army. They’d build a temporary bridge in a few hours. It’s what they do! I realise there is a huge expense involved in carrying out the reparis to the bridge, but everything takes so long.
I know this stretch of the Thames quite well, especially as I used to go there weekly to meet with my my writing group. One of the cafe’s we use overlooks the bridge. William Morris (Arts & Craft movement) lived further along the tow path, and his friend Emery Walker lived at 7 Hammersmith Terrace. Of course all both places are closed to visitors at the moment, much like the bridge!
Should you wish to read the latest about the bridge you can read it here.
My London+ 