Lea Valley

November Walk report

12 members and a leader met at Bromley-by- Bow for this great city walk that combined the old and the new as we explored the industrial past where the River Lea flows into the Thames Old industrial buildings being put to new use, slightly elderly walkers marvelling at the changes and new build, flats for the young city dwellers who generate the income that will keep us going as we age . They looked exciting but on reflection probably not suitable for our age group

The walk included a glimpse of the Olympic site which was all fields (or rather a muddy building site ) when last we visited but now a thriving new world and an exploration of City Island where the ghost of Dickensian characters could just be felt before being overcome by the brave new world

Lunch was taken in Canary Wharf which seemed very new when last we visited on a walk led by Philip Joseph but has now mellowed into an old friend where the young and old mingled happily

The walk was not all urban as it included Mudchute Park built on the dig out mud when the underground was first laid out

And the journey home was via Old Father Thames on the river boat with a spectacular sunset

Date: 
Sunday, 19 November 2017 - 9:30am
Walk Leaders: 
Judith Allsop and Peter de Gorey
Leader Phone: 
atherine : Home Tel: zero two zero eight nine nine five one eight six seven Mobile: zero seven nine one two zero four zero one six eight Judith: Home Tel: zero two zero eight seven four nine three two six four Mobile: zero seven nine nine zero eight eigh
Meeting Point: 
Bromley by Bow Underground station"
Distance: 
8 miles
Maps: 
london A-Z
Travel: 

Out: District Line to Bromley-byBow.
Return: Island Gardens DLR station.
CHECK TFL FOR SUNDAY CLOSURES

Route: 

Morning – from Three Mills Island along the river Lea to the Thames and Canary Wharf.
Afternoon – meander Southwards through The Isle of Dogs, alongside Millwall Docks, through Mudchute Park to Island Gardens DLR station.

Lunch: 

12.30 at Canary Wharf ; Slug and Lettuce Pub. No need to preorde

Notes: 

On this city walk major urban and industrial developments dominate but the sky line is open, historic buildings remain, small parks and areas of open water provide oases for wildlife; some areas have been colonised by alternative community settlements. There are some reminders of the toxic past.
Optional extra: take the DLR one stop to Greenwich , walk through Greenwich Park to the top of the hill to watch the sun setting over London spread below (weather permitting of course)
Note: sunset will be at 16.00