please empty your brain below
If you haven't already read this :"Wayfinding: the art and science of how we find and lose our way" by Michael Bond it is an excellent treatise on navigation, something you are obviously extremely good at.

Nick | 08.02.22 - 7:24 a.m. | #

I love your observations. Reminds me of a more cynical Bill Bryson! It's the little details - the mudlark with the Sainsbury's bag - that make this such a pleasure to read. And although I might not strike out for Grain, I may do the Woolwich walk some blue-sky day.

Jayne | 08.02.22 - 7:43 a.m. | #

You were right about the candy floss and amusement arcades if you's crossed the road and ventured into Woolwich town centre.
On Powis Street there is a mobile sweet shop which dispenses the stuff -- it's run by the guy who has the small tea-cup roundabout next to it.
For amusements, there is the Admiral slot machine arcade next to it. You can win up to 500 quid a spin!
The same machines are also located in numerous shops in the locality going by the names of Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and the like.

Chris | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 7:47 a.m. | #

"...an ideal location to absorb the sea air" made me giggle into my morning coffee; I also love "Woolwich's miniature railway". Thank-you once again for providing such a wonderful morning read.

RC | 08.02.22 - 7:48 a.m. | #

Erith has a nicer Pier than Woolwich and is probably the best in London

John | 08.02.22 - 8:23 a.m. | #

It sounds rather nice. One day I will go to Woolwich and try to imagine the spot where my boat was built.

Sarah | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 8:28 a.m. | #

Out to the Darwent it is of course just the Thames Path (extension) - wondered how they were going to cross that bit. Done that several times. And I would have thought putting up the new signs would be an excellent opportunity to orientate the Capital Ring pointer in the right direction from where it has been since time immemorial.

davews | 08.02.22 - 8:31 a.m. | #

I for one, would love you to blog about the sewage cathedral.

dg writes: guess what.

Steve Conway | 08.02.22 - 9:04 a.m. | #

I prefer Erith's pier every time.

Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 9:11 a.m. | #

A most amusing read .. thank you. i'll be sending the link to occasional readers to help them see what they're missing.
i have taken the bicycle on the Overground then DLR for a good day out before but never beyond Erith up till now. New horizons open up!
the sudden width of the estuary and large ships make it feel as though i've really travelled. a Nepali Momo stand in Woolwich Sq helps.

the other eric | 08.02.22 - 9:15 a.m. | #

Agree with RC: "Woolwich's miniature railway" was laugh out loud stuff. As ever, your stylish writing never fails to impress.

Plus another vote for Erith Pier. A pleasant discovery for me on a beautiful sunny day when I cycled riverside from Dartford to Greenwich. An ice cream stall would have done good business.

Man of Kent | 08.02.22 - 10:15 a.m. | #

Thanks. I have explored the Crossness sewage cathedral and can recommend a visit to your readers.

I look forward to visiting the entertainment capital that is Dartford and Gravesend Riviera sounds like a great place to visit on a summers day.

And as for the Woolwich miniature railway - hopefully opening for the summer season.

Dave | 08.02.22 - 10:46 a.m. | #

Great post today - thanks.
I agree, you can’t beat the Woolwich Riviera for a grand day out!

Bob S | 08.02.22 - 10:49 a.m. | #

I am now expecting to hear about the next 48 miles. B Roads one day, coastal path the next. Crossness hear I come.

south london lad | 08.02.22 - 10:56 a.m. | #

I see that you are following in the illustrious footsteps of the BBC2 series Coast, which claimed the whole tidal stretch of the Thames as part of our coastline.

Ian Paton | 08.02.22 - 11:08 a.m. | #

Hi, long time reader of your blog (via rss), first time comment.

I tried this "new" route over the last couple of weeks on my bike (from crayford to just past Gravesend).
Unfortunately despite the publicity, there are a couple of sections that are diverted away from the river past Gravesend (going downriver). One is a building site, and we are diverted along normal roads, and another section is closed due to "dangerous tyres" would you believe.

I ran out of time near the RSPB reserve, and indeed couldnt figure out how to go further since there was no obvious way to cross the small river there. It was also very muddy - im still cleaning my bike. Im looking forward to the DG guide to the more into Kent part of this walk, and doing again myself once the mud has dried up a bit.

George Styles | 08.02.22 - 11:13 a.m. | #

I can only speak for the Greenwich to Crossness stretch, but that's well worth a bike ride. Looking across the Thames at grassy banks on the north side can leave you forgetting you're in London.

Will | 08.02.22 - 11:58 a.m. | #

The existence of this south shore path implies that a path along the north shore from Woolwich eastward is planned as well. I look forward to hiking through the docks of the Thames Gateway, watching from below as giant cranes lift containers onto ships above my head.

Greg | 08.02.22 - 12:06 p.m. | #

What a relief to find out the whole of England's coastal landscape is encapsulated in a mile around Woolwich. That's so much less time-consuming than travelling the whole way to the fringe of Exmoor or the Jurassic Coast in Dorset...

cau1khead | 08.02.22 - 1:06 p.m. | #

Excellent - though I did wonder if this was post 1 of a series to complete the whole lot!

Cornish Cockney | 08.02.22 - 1:21 p.m. | #

Woolwich's miniature railway? :-O

How dare you! :-D

Dee Ellarr | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 1:34 p.m. | #

That's the back of it broken then...

(And of course that's not just a ventilation shaft for the miniature railway, it's also a portal from the underworld)

Simon | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 3:53 p.m. | #

Derick's walked it all, so here's the post you really wanted to read (the first of three).

diamond geezer | Homepage | 08.02.22 - 5:24 p.m. | #

Don't insult the Woolwich pier without looking at the Redcar vertical pier

Luke | 08.02.22 - 6:31 p.m. | #

Greg , eventually the entire coast of Britain will be walkable on footpaths. For lots of various reasons this is a project that will yet take some time.

Check www.gov.uk for details of the parts that have been granted public access. Other organisations e.g. ramblers, etc will be also be monitoring this in a more hiker friendly manner.

Nigel | 09.02.22 - 12:03 a.m. | #

Good summing up of the British seaside experience. I know where I'm going in August

Herned | 11.02.22 - 10:40 p.m. | #











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