Was going to write this earlier in the week, but got sidetracked on a couple of things. Have finished drafting another paper and sent it off for review hoping for the best. Now there is one more to work on in the next couple of weeks and then can wait for some reviews while I start preparing some longer-term projects. While I was working away on various things I came across something interesting. Was on GoogleScholar just nosying around (it has turned out to be a very useful research tool) and looked a paper I had written in 2005 and it has been cited. This is the first time something I have written has been used. Is good when you know that something you have written is of interest/use to someone else.

Last week we went off wandering along the river through East London. It has been a busy couple of weeks working on papers and applying for more jobs. P has also been very hard at work putting the finishing touches on her thesis. Much more complicated than what I have been playing with. So, it was good to get out and have a couple of hours just wandering along on a late summer afternoon (with rain threatening).

We set out from a spot near the Thames Barrier in the early afternoon last Sunday. Did not get to see the barrier while we were doing the Capital Ring, as the original route was detoured away from it (supposed to be temporary, but looked pretty permanent). The river was down when we came by and they stood out clearly. They are quite a sight, so we stopped and took some pictures. They are also refreshing in that unlike so many other things in London they are not crawling with tourists, they would if they could though. There were some interesting markers and flood banks along the river (we were on the south side) showing how high the river has risen in the past. The highest point (1993 I think from memory and guessing) was about 1/3 of the way up the flood banks. Also interesting to think that there is talk that the barriers will need to be made higher in time (they are pretty high already).

Thames Barrier

Further on from the barrier we rejoined the Capital Ring as far as the Woolwich Foot Tunnel before heading off along the river. Beyond this there was a nice flat path that ran along, with breaking into a piazza where Assembly is and a military museum (can’t remember the exact name). Was nice stroll as the number of people out and about was down (due to the threatening weather). Since the river was down we were able to see the mud and all the treasures that are discarded there. We spotted scooters, motorbikes, bicycles, shopping trolleys, a microwave etc. It was quite a mess and interesting to see how people are so willing to just throw stuff in the river.

Assembly

River Junk

Once we passed this patch of the river the houses disappeared and it was like being out in the countryside. It was a nice change from the city, dirt path and blackberries all along the way. At first it did not look too promising, but as we traveled the bushes got heavier and fuller with fruit. So, we stopped and picked and ate our fill and them some more. Blackberries are interesting, they are hard work, but they taste so good when you do all the work dodging spikes and tasting the sweet berry. Taste a lot better than they do than when purchased from the supermarket.

Blackberries

Blackberry in hand is worth two on the bush

The rest of the stroll was quite uneventful, but nice. The weather held out, although was beginning to follow us from the West (clouds gathered over the city and rolled in our direction). One thing that we noticed as we got further down the river was the number of people out fishing. Seemed like a good way to spend an afternoon. Eventually we came to a point where we could get off the trail and head for home as the weather was coming in very quickly. Would have been good to move further on, but it was getting late, were tired and the rain was coming. Maybe next time.