Cycling to Cutty Sark

 

Off message. I decided to try and ditch my "fair weather only" cycling reputation by biking in the winter gloom and cold to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. My favourite route to the south of the borough is via West Ham Park and the Greenway. Across the A13 footbridge into Beckton Park, then Royal Albert Quay then past the Tate and Lyle factory. 

I took the Woolwich Ferry from Pier Road in Newham to Woolwich. I like using the ferry whenever I have the time. You get a free boat trip (okay - only 10 minutes or so) and some great views of the Thames. 

Next a 20 minute bike ride to Greenwich. The Cutty Sark is obviously closed due to Covid restrictions but it was good to see her again. I was meeting an old friend who I hadn't seen in months for a takeaway coffee and walk in the fresh air. 

To our surprise the "Trafalgar Pub" was still open and serving drinks. You had to text or email your order and they brought outside the beer in plastic cups (with lids). It would have been rude not too. 

After a short stroll and gossip (aka putting the world to rights) I cycled back via the Greenwich foot tunnel (entrance right next to Cutty Sark). Luckily both lifts, south and north, were working. The tunnel comes out in Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets. 

From there I went through the Isle of Dogs and then along the Thames path and the Grand Union canal towpath until Victoria Park. Then through the park and along towpath towards Hackney wick, through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and finally back home via side streets. 

My phone battery died on route so I am not sure how how long or how far I cycled but I think over 10 miles. But it is pretty flat and if pushed for time you could do a more direct route by main road cycle lanes. 

Bowers Marsh Walk & the Battle of Benfleet

Off message but went with Gill on a lovely 5.5 mile walk on Sunday courtesy of the free website EssexWalks.Com.

We started off at the RSPB reserve at Bowers Marsh which has a wonderful sense of "Big Essex Skies" and marsh land solitude despite the distant hum of road traffic.

Follow the Thames Path out of the marsh and under the road bridge and along the mudflats of East Haven creek. The path is a little overgrown approaching a second world war pill box so not suitable for shorts or sandals.

It was very pleasant walking along the creek and checking out the boats moored or those abandoned to rot beside it.

At Benfleet there was a memorial to the battle in 894AD when the Saxons defeated the Vikings in a surprise attack and burnt their long ships. Traces of the burnt ship timbers were apparently found when the railway was built.

After walking through parks, back of houses green lanes and horse paddocks (we had to climb over a gate on a public footpath which had been locked shut with a screw - must remember to report to Essex Council rights of way officer) we stopped at the historic 14th Century St Margaret's Church, which is reputed to be haunted, but nothing spooky occurred and the Church wardens who let us in were very friendly.

At least we think... they were the wardens?

We stopped off at the nearby Gun Pub for a beer to re-hydrate then drove home (about 45 minutes each way). You could take the train and start the circular route at Benfleet station.

I do recommended this walk, there is some traffic/train noise and you walk through a few brownfield sites but it has lots of atmosphere and history as well as being a change from chocolate box "pretty" country side walks. EssexWalks.Com has lots of excellent free walks across the county.