…at some past pictures, as a distraction from more serious matters, and while I’m working on another project.
This really was a brief people-less moment. There are usually queues waiting to have their pictures taken against this world famous backcloth.
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As many of you know, I spend a fair amount of time by the Thames on Lambeth Reach photographing boats of all sizes. But not just there, and not just boats, as you will see scrolling below…
LE BELLOT was not the largest of cruise ships that I’ve seen passing beneath Tower Bridge but she is surely one of the most elegant.
Adaptable for sightseeing or for parties, the graceful LONDON ROSE adds style to wherever she sails.
The energy of MST workboat PROWLER making waves caught my eye as she powered towards Lambeth Bridge.
The Thames River Police is now known as the Marine Police Unit of the Metropolitan Police. Its officers are available to operate not only along the Thames but along all the marine environments within London. With its fleet of launches “the major role of the MPU today is providing security for Central London. The duties and operations carried out by its officers play a major role in maintaining London’s safety.”, writes Dick Paterson.
The Tower RNLI Lifeboat Station with its two active lifeboats, HURLEY BURLY and HEARN MEDICINE CHEST, in their distinctive orange, is the RNLI’s busiest station in the country.
LFB Fire Rescue vessel TANNER is one of the two state of the art fireboats stationed at Lambeth River Station. She is named after GillianTanner, who was awarded the George Medal for bravery during the Second World War.
And from boats to wildlife…
For a couple of weeks in April 2022, visitors to Victoria Tower Gardens were treated to the joyful sight of a pair of harbour seals playing on one of the Palace of Westminster’s yellow markers. This was a rare sight, even more so as the seals spent a couple of weeks returning here. Much more usual are sightings of the various birds that live in the area, feeding in the gardens and on its foreshore.
One of the many black-headed gulls that spends time along the Thames in winter.
Love the way parent crow, while keeping an eye out, studiously ignores the plaintive squeaking of her offspring.
So often chased and regarded as pests, the small number of pigeons that live in and around Victoria Tower Gardens, are rewarding to watch. With a mixed diet gleaned from lawn and foreshore they seem very healthy. The iridescent green and purple feathers on this couple add to their appeal.
In 2020 my husband and I made friends with a young herring gull that, admittedly after a few snacks, recognised us and used to fly up to the embankment wall where we sat. And, treats over, it would stay on the wall close to us looking relaxed.
We nick-named it Bonzo. Not sure why but it kept us company during our Covid *escape* walks. Sadly, not seen since.
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These last few pictures are somewhat random but hopefully you’ll like them…
Just love these two. The St. James’s Park pelicans really own the park, strutting around, perching on benches and flirting with visitors, who soon learn to keep a respectful distance.
We spent many years holidaying in Brittany where you can feel the full force and beauty of the Atlantic.
Watching our plane as it came in to land at Heathrow, accompanied by its rainbow-encircled shadow.
A precious winter view of Victoria Tower Gardens, still under threat from the building of a badly designed Holocaust Memorial, despite being protected as “a public garden in perpetuity” by the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900.
Notes and Further Information
Cruise ship LE BELLOT
Viscount cruises’ LONDON ROSE
MST Marine Support Thames: PROWLER
The Marine Policing Unit: TIM RUPRECHT. Article by Dick Paterson.
Tower RNLI vessel HURLEY BURLY
London Fire Brigade rescue vessel TANNER
Seal visiting a palace of Westminster marker.