Walking east from Greenwich

Woolwich Arsenal to Crayford Ness - January 28 2013 (8.5 miles, 13.7km) Wendy and Anne

 Salt marsh near Crayford Ness - near the mouth of the Thames

How interesting to head out to the Thames east of the city of London. A place of contrasts as shown by the photos above and below. The last time I saw a group of Antony Gormley's figures, they were in Australia. If you haven't seen these figures in the outback, click the above link for a treat.

Meanwhile, back in London, more Gormley figures at Woolwich Arsenal (and Wendy).

Cast iron humanoids by Antony Gormley 

 Royal Arsenal - Woolwich

First established 1621

Arsenal Woolwich used to be the home of the Arsenal Football Club before they moved to north London. 

During WW1 the Royal Arsenal covered 1300 acres and employed about 80,000 people. It suffered heavy bombing during WW2 and the ordnance factories closed in 1967. There is an interesting collection of fine buildings, some renovated, including a museum and a great bar/restaurant.

Greenwich to Woolwich Arsenal - Monday 11 March 2013 (5.75 miles 9.25km) Anne and Ellen

We began this walk in Greenwich with a bitingly cold head wind and probably a temperature of  -3. However, the sun came out and the weather was kind. Again, a walk of contrasts: from Sir Christopher Wren's Royal Naval College to the Millenium Dome or 02 stadium, with views across to Canary Wharf.

Ellen with O2 and Canary Wharf in the background

Sculpture at 02 (courtesy Ellen)

The Thames Barrier is designed to cope with sea level rises until 2030 and is a major part of the effort to protect London from flooding. It looks great and does not pose any height restrictions for shipping. There were evidently 41 different proposals for the design of the barrier. I am glad they chose this one!

Thames Barrier - operating since 1982 and raised  more than 110 times.