|
Posted: Monday 31st August 2009, more photos added 3rd September 2009
London Plant Associates
take a trip up the Thames
22nd August 2009
Well, here we go again. Picture the scene. Seventy seven associates converged on Tilbury Jetty to board the good ship "Princess Pocahontas" for another private hire trip up Old Father Thames.
The Pocahontas ties up at Tilbury jetty to collect the group
However, unlike the previous trip in 2006 the weather on this occasion was warm and sunny with brilliant sunshine sparkling on the river as our folk embarked on the white motor vessel moored up alongside. We soon got underway, passing a huge Dutch cruise ship alongside Tilbury landing stage on our starboard side.
The other cruise ship.
Soon after leaving we were to hear the usual very detailed and interesting commentary being broadcast, somewhat perhaps too loudly, over the ships Tannoy system, given by Captain John Potter.
Captain John gave the commentary.
John's intimate knowledge of this 203 mile long river is quite amazing. Detailed descriptions of various points of interest were mentioned as we progressed, which at first consisted mainly of factories and industrial sites, of course not forgetting Procter & Gamble.
At P&G Mav gave a sales pitch for the newly republished book on St Clements - visible on the left, dwarfed by the high rise warehouse.
For details of the book, click here.
Use your browser zoom to enlarge the picture
Further along there was sporadic housing developments, the evolving structures of the London 2012 Olympic site, before giving way to more industrial sites again such as the treacle mine, the producers of the famous Golden Syrup, known as Tate & Lyle.
The usual cold buffet was eventually served with generous amounts of salmon, ham, and salad, with a desert of fruit salad, or gateaux. This was followed finally by cheese and biscuits.
Before reaching the Woolwich Ferry (a free ferry service across the Thames) we had to get permission to go through the Thames Barrier. We passed by one side of Canary Wharf, which we would see again after Greenwich as the river loops right round this landmark.
The Dome
After passing through the Barrier we saw the infamously highly expensive and great sprawling white Millenium Dome, now known as the O2 Arena.
On arrival at Greenwich, where a resplendent view of the large historic Maritime Museum is to be seen, eighteen of our party ventured ashore to visit the delights of the market, where a prolific and unique variety of foreign food, both of the "ready to eat", and "take away" type could be obtained. In addition to the Maritime Museum, great interest could be found by a trip to the observatory on the hill. The famous and beloved tea clipper, the Cutty Sark, was unfortunately unavailable at this time as refurbishment was still ongoing following the fire on board some time ago.
After departure from Greenwich we continued up river, still enjoying the sunshine. All the redundant shipping wharves had been converted to modern, expensive apartments.
A snip at 3 million pounds
The Prospect of Whitby
We passed Canary Wharf again with it's famous Canada Tower. After passing under Tower Bridge we saw such fascinating landmarks as the replica of the Mayflower, the Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern all of them shining in the prevailing sunlight. We passed the London Eye, and then the Houses of Parliament then came into view, aptly described by Captain John as "the house of frauds."
We turned back at Westminster
At this point we turned around whilst giving the customary loud HOOT on the ships horn.
On eventually arriving back at Greenwich, we picked up our tired but satisfied Associates . . . .
. . . . and then proceeded back to our Tilbury home destination.
Some of the group in the lower saloon.
All agreed that they had thoroughly enjoyed an exceptional day out, helped of course by the wonderful weather conditions prevailing for that day. Many thanks to Mrs Pog, otherwise known as Maureen Germaney, for well organising yet another great Associate venture.
|
