Thames Path Completed One Way or Another

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Day 22. Thursday, August 7.

7.6 Miles. 18,285 Steps.

Georgian Hotel, London to Premiere Inn, Woolwich.

High Altar in Westminster Cathedral.

Had the poached egg over spinach over English muffin. Tasty until not tasty when dirt/grit on the spinach was detected. Tried not to gag. I have a problem with that, and egg shells 😬

Wandered onto an exclusive street of Mansions. They were called mansions. Carlisle Place just south of Victoria terminal and bus station.

Depart hotel with gracious Indian man offering all sorts of ways he could assist, without leaving hotel. Followed his directions to Victoria train station with a short side trip to go inside Westminster Cathedral. Quite elaborate, but the total top domes were unfinished.

Herbert Vaughan Archbishop Cardinal of Westminster 1892-1903.

English Civil War.

Tube from Victoria to Monument on Circle Line, transfer to DLR line and on to Woolwich. At least an hour to travel 10 miles.

Any mystery going on below ground.

At Monument the transfer involved a long long walk underground and a final descent on a non moving escalator down 3-4 flights of steps.

Looked for Midwives but didn’t see any passing.

Had seat at front of tube.

Woolwich Ferry service across the Thames. A free service for pedestrians, bikes, cars, commercial vehicles. Sort of like the Brussels ferry.

Was able to leave large backpack at Premier Inn to hold until afternoon check in time. Relief. And the hotel had the package I had mailed 3 weeks ago with the pack cover for flying.

Defending against invasion.

Defending against a water invasion.

The Docks

A bit of Wisconsin found in Woolwich.

Set off to get on the Thames River Path and follow it in reverse back up the river for a bit.

The Thames River Barrier was quite impressive Visually and all the Information of Why and How.

Followed the path a way heading towards Greenwich, but at some point realized I was tired and the legs Done for the day. Rather than return along the water, cut across parkland towards a heavily traveled road.

Buses can also be recycled into new lives - Barber Shop!

Found bus stop, flagged down the next to arrive. No cash accepted. The driver again gently waved me on. Grateful.

Spent time hanging out in Woolwich town square/park. I was one of the few with very pale skin. Everyone was kind.

Got a Lamb Doner from the King Kabob stand. Only ate a small portion in the park. Will have more this evening. Then about 4 others could come share the rest. Portion size was medium. Wonder what a large would be like.

Under all the greens was buried a giant amount of lamb!

Tesco Extra for a few items. It was a LARGE Tesco. Kind of like Walmart only the ratio of groceries to everything else was different. The food section took up at least two thirds of the store. Largest grocery store I have been in for the past 3 weeks. Had gotten used to those tiny 2 aisle shops which might or might not have something appealing.

While walking along the Thames River Path I found the official end of the walk. The walk I didn’t actually hike much of, but a nice portion of rural England became better known. Discovered most people friendly and willing to help an America in need.

Unfortunately there were No Murders that needed my attention. But there is still time, or the future to jump into mental crime solving.

Tomorrow I shall return to Central London and spend a few days as a tourist trying to see as much as the knees will allow. It isn’t the trip or the ending envisioned. But plans can be altered. I will still smile.

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