This was the third section I completed in my 2021 “pick’n’mix” Thames Path challenge. Goodness only knows why I did it this early on when it should have been the final section! When I did this walk in reverse in 2020 I somehow manged to miss one or more Thames Path signs, resulting in me missing some parts of Rotherhithe. This time I was a lot more careful! This section is about 11 miles and follows 3 huge loops in the river. It takes in many regenerated wharves, old docks now used for recreation, famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, the Cutty Sark at Greenwich and the O2 Arena, as well as a huge number of modern apartment blocks. The weather in May 2021 was very unsettled. On the day I did this walk there were times when I was convinced it was going to rain. Thankfully the rain held off.

Emerging from London Bridge station at about 10:30 I made my way to the river and started my walk on the south bank. Having been careful to follow the Thames Path signs, this time I got to see Surrey Docks Farm; somewhere I was sorry I missed in 2020. Not sure what I was expecting to see from a city farm – naively I was expecting all the animals to be in green fields!

I reached the Thames Barrier at about 15:00. The sun was glinting on the shells housing the lifting mechanicals, highlighting what an amazing structure the barrier is. To get back to the City, I caught a bus to Greenwich and then the DLR to Bank.

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