Fini....

It's over! The last of the walking tours has been completed ( at least by me). Docklands East was done this morning and we had a great day. The weather was perfect: sunny, cloudy, a few drops of rains, but  breezy throughout.
This tour began where the other left off. So back to Wapping. ( for you that don't know how it's said, it's said as Whopping)

tube ride with the Metro

 So out of the station and along the Thames path once again. We both fell in love with this area. I could definitely live here, especially if it's along the river. Luckily today the tide was out and we got to go down the steps and walk along the river's edge. Careful of the not-too-clean water though!

steps down, at low tide only

note high tide line on left

converted wharf

Thames "finds" - slate and a bit of pottery

 Wandering down we were taken by the Prospect of Whitby pub. Out back hangs the gibbet from where many a pirate was service justice for his crimes ( new rope I'm sure). Passing Shadwell basin and King Edward park there are more wharves and warehouses, some left over and converted from the East India Company.

look for noose

converted EIC warehosue

Also got to visit a lovely little church, St. Pauls, "church of the sea captains". There are 75 buried in its vaults. Captain James Cook was a parishioner here.
On down to Limehouse Basin, once called Regents Canal Dock. Limehouse Cut runs behind the lock and canal boaters are still using it for travel.

Back out to the Thames Path we stopped at The Narrow, Gordon Ramsey's pub. It was time for a pint and since it was noon, why not some food. We ordered a few nibbles: capriese salad, salt & pepper squid, Scotch egg ( huge!) and some sausages. Washed it all down with a few pints. The really thrilling thing for me was I noticed Gordon used the same loo rolls I do! Too cool.

where we sat and ate, once the Dockmaster's house

ordering the nummies

wanted to steal it from Gordon

 This brought to the half way point. From here east it's all the ultra new and modern Canary Wharf area. This area was developed a few decades ago and is now rivaling the City for prominence in the financial world of London.

Nothing truly took my fancy to shoot as it is all modern, that is until we hit the eastern edge of the Isle of Dogs ( on which Canary Wharf is built). There were some Regency era home and the The Gun pub. Legend has it Lord Nelson, who boarded a few houses down, would meet his lover Emma Hamilton. eh, it's a good story none the less.

note the pub sign on the right. yes, that's a hole

  Dodging The Suits we made our way back to the tube station and home again out west. A rather bittersweet moment, as it all comes closer to the end of our time here. sniff, sniff