About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

T is for the THAMES

The Thames River is the longest river in England.  It flows right through the city of London, one of the biggest cities in the world and with its total length of 346 kilometres (or 215 miles), it has both its beginning and end within the country.

I'm sure those who have visited London remember seeing Big Ben, the Parliament Buildings, the London Eye, London Bridge and other locations that line the banks of the city.  Also, most of the world tuned in last June to watch Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebration with myriads of boats parading down the Thames for hours!  Even though it was pouring rain, it did not dampen the spirits of over a million people lining the shores - or the billions watching from home! (photo courtesy Google)

Having visited England a few times, I have had the pleasure of being on the Thames when I travelled to Hampton Court Palace (by coach) and returned to the city by boat.  As soon as you're outside the boundaries of the city of London, the sights are wonderful.  Lush green lawns slope down to the shores as you pass the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and historical Richmond.  The river winds and twists its way into the bustle of crowded London.

While staying in London on my latest trip, I visited Canary Wharf, formerly known as the Isle of Dogs, that juts out into the Thames.  It is now well known as the second major financial district in London.  It also contains most of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom, including the second-tallest - One Canada Square. (my photo)

One day, I took the train out to Essex, north-east of London.  I got off at Billercay and Chris, a blogging buddy, met me there.  We drove to her home nearby where I met the husband Mike and the darling dog Nell.  It was so nice to be out of the hustle and bustle of London and in a beautiful suburb only 20 minutes away.  After coffee and getting to know each other a bit, we all left for a divine drive out to Southend-by-Sea where the Thames River flows into the North Sea.  What a different view of the river!  Here it widens out so much that it's hard to see the other side.  It was a very windy day but we managed a lovely stroll along the waterfront where I managed to get some photos of the palm trees swaying in the wind, sea birds, and whitecaps on the water.  Across the street, I got some shots of the gorgeous gardens and some of the hotels and buildings that loomed over the cliff above.

Apparently, this little area is famous for its summer atmosphere and the longest pier in the world!  It is also the home of the original Rossi Ice Cream on the Western Esplanade.  This year is its 80th anniversary of making premium artisan ice-cream with fresh milk, butter, and double cream.  Since the day was a bit cool, we chose to sit outside on the patio with coffee but I absolutely must return on a hot summer's day to taste the ice-cream! (photo courtesy Google)

As you can see, the Thames River has lots to offer along its 364 kilometres.  From the regions of Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, through Windsor, Richmond, London and all the way to the tidal section on the North Sea, you'll encounter rolling hills, palaces and castles, a thriving capital city, and even sandy beaches!  I hope you enjoy the short slideshow of some of my photos of the river in both London and at Southend-by-Sea.  Only #1 and #16 are courtesy of Google...the rest are my shots!

Tremendous thanks go to Mrs. Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday and to our current administrator of the site, Roger!  Without the two of them, we might be in a tight spot trying to tie our posts together.  Please encourage your friends to join us, but do remember to ask them to read the rules and guidelines so that we can continue to share our tasty tidbits with each other.  And now on with the show! Tada!
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

38 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

Another lovely narrative of your TRIP!

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Marcus Ampe said...

Until 1979 I lived in London. Today it seems unrecognisable. Last time I visited was a few years ago (4 or 5) but I still follow it on the BBC, having enjoyed very much the documentary series on the underground. Incredible how they have to manage to get so many commuters through the system.

Meryl said...

Terrific trip tidbits!!!

Have a great week.

photowannabe said...

How I wish I could visit the places you have been telling us about. I guess I will have to settle for your wonderful narratives instead.
Thanks

Ann said...

You are a great tour guide, I've seen so many beautiful places on your trip.
Ann

MaR said...

Thanks for the tour! I enjoyed your post and all about the Thames.

T is for...

Luna Miranda said...

i took the Thames River cruise during my short visit to London a few years ago. we boarded at Tower Bridge but i couldn't remember the name of the station where we disembarked.:p i remember the bridges crossing Thames, took lots of photos, too.

Reader Wil said...

Yes London is one of the most interesting cities there is in the world. It has so many historic sights. I was in 2007 especially interested in the Eye of London, for it was made in Holland. Many of my students in the evening classes were somehow involved in the production of the Wheel. My eldest daughter was one of the draughtsmen in the factory.

Carver said...

Great post. I enjoyed your photographs and hearing about your trip.

Samson said...

Beautiful photographs and a nice write up

Lisa said...

Fantastic post in keeping with your Travels! Your photos are Terrific!

Lmkazmierczak said...

Ordinary Words...Terrific♫ You certainly delve into every interesting aspect♫

Joy said...

Great photos of your trip. The Thames is a river of many personalities. I once went to the Isle of Grain in Kent where the Thames is heading for the sea and where Dickens set part of Great Expectations in the Cooling Marshes (where Pip meets Magwich), it was a wild place and yet across the other bank was the oil terminal.

Lynette Killam said...

Loved travelling to London with you, Leslie! I must say my favourite view of it was from The London Eye...I could ride in it endlessly...)

Wanda said...

I feel like such a "World Travler" due to your exciting pictures and slide shows.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Thames-beautiful! You are such the traveler and I love visiting all the places that you bring to us.

Mara said...

I took a fast ferry across the Thames a few years back and it was glorious. It was a regular commuter service and it was so fast. I was really sunburnt at the end of the day. It goes all the way from Westminster (actually just beyond) to Greenwich and the O2 Arena and at certain times of the day it will go to the Thames Barrier and through up to Woolwich. I didn't manage that though, since it was at the wrong time for me.

Angelika Poe said...

oh ... yes, on the Thames I have stood for, wonderful London!

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Zyzzyz said...

Seems you had a good time in that southern metropolis.

Gerald (SK14) said...

Great travelogue. I went to Southend once a long time ago - London by the Sea really - neither place entice me to return.

Hazel said...

The Thames was like one of the biggest stars during the Queens jubilee in June. Enjoyed your story.

Nonnie said...

how marvelous to visit there!

Pride In Photos Beauty said...

You know what is so great about blogging...is living thru others photos☺ Thanks for sharing.
Laurie @ Pride in Photos

ChrisJ said...

I have done that boat trip from Hampton Court to the city, through the locks and under the bridges -- one of the nicest things I remember about London.
Mostly whenver I went up to London I always visited the British Museum. Spent wonderful hours there.

Maurice Lauher said...

Very informative - thanks for sharing

Gattina said...

You made me homesick ! My son lived for 10 years in London and from Brussels with the Eurostar it's only 2 h ! so I was very often in London and still go there now once a year at least ! I think it's the city I know the best and I love the most too !

Cheri said...

I have only been lucky enough to visit London one time, many years ago, but I do so hope to return again some day. Thanks for sharing your photos and memories.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Those colorful tiny boats make a pretty river,

Chubskulit Rose said...

I love the pictures and the music that goes with it! Glad you are there to share these gorgeous places for us to see.

Catching up with all the T entries.

Travels & Wandering
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Mama Pajama said...

great shots, Leslie! I had no idea the Thames was so wide at points as to have sandy beaches and palm trees - never to late to learn!

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Ann