Mixed in with difficult moments, were some good times too, specially when walking by the River Thames. Below, you’ll see two pictures chosen from each month…
January
This was one of a number of peaceful demonstrations and cultural events took place in Victoria Tower Gardens during 2024.
Based at Lambeth River Fire Station by Lambeth Bridge, London Fire Brigade’s two fire rescue vessels ERRINGTON and TANNER can often be seen patrolling the river, or speeding to an emergency.
February
Standing by Westminster Pier opposite the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this powerful statue of Boudicca took fifty years to complete.
March
The National Covid Memorial Wall is maintained, with its thousands of hearts kept freshly painted, by a group of bereaved volunteers known as ‘The Friends of the Wall’. Walking along the South Bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge, almost to Lambeth Bridge, you can feel the acute sense of personal loss of life caused by Covid-19.
April
It’s always good to see M.V CONNAUGHT at the start of the season. She is “a beautiful example of an Edwardian River cruiser” and she has been cruising between Westminster and Hampton Court for over hundred years.
May
S.B. Will is a classic Thames Sailing Barge, launched in 1925, making this year her 100th Anniversary. See her history here.
As many of you will know, there are four RNLI Lifeboat Stations along the tidal Thames: Gravesend, Tower, Chiswick and Teddington. They ensure twenty-four hour cover every day of the year.
June
Getting a picture without the many visitors who like to be photographed with London’s famous landmark in the background, was a stroke of luck one lunchtime.
My first trip to Greenwich was with M.V. HOLLYWOOD, so I feel a special affection for her.
July
I have been watching this yellow deck chair for a while from both banks of the river but never seen anyone sitting in it. It moves around mysteriously, facing different directions, and occasionally lying on its side. Pictures I’ve posted on social media have aroused a little curiosity…
At her fixed mooring, just upstream from the Lambeth River Fire Station, the TAMESIS Dock adds colour to the landscape in all weathers. She is a converted 1930s Dutch barge.
August
The Victoria Tower Gardens’ pigeons have a good mixed diet, pecking at crumbs left by visitors and foraging on the foreshore when tides permit.
Retired 1960’s Lifeboat ‘AMiTy’ undertook a 650 mile fundraising voyage from her mooring in Fareham, Portsmouth Harbour, along England’s south east coast to London, where I saw her on August 31st.
September
Originally built in 1892, the YARMOUTH BELLE, a listed Historic Ship, began life as a passenger steamer used mainly on the River Yare between Yarmouth and Norwich. In 1946 she came to the River Thames, and after service with several companies, was eventually sold to Turk Launches in 1988 where she underwent major rebuilding and restoration. See her National Historic Ships UK profile here.
October
There was a particularly high tide on October 19th and it was interesting to see that the lions on the rings by Lambeth Bridge, were definitely *drinking*. The saying goes:
“When the lions drink, London will sink”. Other versions of the same idea progress to: “If water’s up to their manes, we’ll be going down drains”; and finally, “If the lions are ducked, then London is f…..”
November
December
The Illuminated River art installation has added something magical to the night-time River Thames. Its subtle colouring and gentle changes of light, reflect and enhance the infinite movement of the water below.
*******************************
Thank you for joining me. Wishing you all the best possible year in 2025 with good health, happiness, and success in all your undertakings.
