Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Wapping


I took a photo walk yesterday through the neighborhood of Wapping, east of the city on the Thames. It's one of the few places in London I'd never visited -- mostly, it seems, a collection of mid-century apartment buildings and housing estates.

That's the Shadwell Basin, above, looking westward toward Central London.


I think Wapping was heavily bombed in World War II, like much of London's so-called docklands area, which is why so much of the construction is post-war. There are a few older churches and some big warehouses by the river that have been converted into flats and offices.


I was reading my pal Sarah's blog a few days ago, when she mentioned the arrival of her new cat, Oliver. She joked that he "has his own wharf" and posted a picture of the building above. I didn't even know where it was -- and then yesterday, completely coincidentally, I found myself right outside!

I wonder if Oliver's Wharf is named for Oliver Twist? I also noticed a pub named after the Artful Dodger, and a Gulliver's Wharf. Lots of literary references in Wapping.


I walked along the Thames Path, looking out across the water to Rotherhithe and, beyond that, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.


It is surprisingly hard to get a good picture of a duck. They're always moving -- particularly when, like this one, they associate humans with food and keep trying to get closer and closer.


Anyway, it was a good walk. I got to work out some of my post-Dennis cabin fever!

15 comments:

Yorkshire Pudding said...

And there was me thinking that "wapping" was a deviant activity connected with S&M.

Moving with Mitchell said...

I’ve always wanted to visit Wapping... just because of the name. It looks like a great walk... if a bit chilly.

Colette said...

What an eye for composition you have.

Ms. Moon said...

That duck photo! Its pretty orange foot beneath the water.
I deleted my first comment because I used the wrong form of "its". I need to drink more coffee before I start commenting.

The Padre said...

Fantastic Walk Brother - Well Done

Cheers

ellen abbott said...

ducks may be hard to photograph but you did an excellent job.

Anonymous said...

I love that you walk along the Thames, photographing Mallards along the way.

Sharon said...

Walking, exploring and taking photos....three of my favorite things to do in London. I love the photos.

Edna B said...

I'm really enjoying all your photos. I've always wanted to visit England, but just never made it. Your photos are bringing a lot of it to me and for this I thank you. Of course, you did take Olga on this walk, right?? I didn't see her anywhere. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Catalyst said...

Good photos, Steve, and another healthy walk. I've been reading this morning of the flooding in Shropshire, along the Severn. Here in the U.S. of A., Mississippi is experiencing some of the same disaster.

jenny_o said...

The wikipedia article for Wapping is pretty interesting. At one spot apparently pirates and other offenders were hung at low tide and their bodies not taken down until they'd been submerged by the tide three times . . . (see under "Origins") - gah!

It's good to get out after an enforced home day, with lots of energy to spare.

The Bug said...

I really need to explore more of my own town. It would probably fit inside a London neighborhood, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't find a lot to observe!

I love the duck too - I think they're so exotic looking :)

Sarah said...

Its an interesting area isn't it? After I wrote about Oliver the other day, I realised that I had not even thought to look up why his wharf is named Oliver. Just found this.
F. & H. Francis. 1869-70. Wapping, London E1. Built for George Oliver "in the Tudor gothic style, this wharf handled general cargo but had special facilities for tea" (Craig et al. 45). Bought for redevelopment in 1972, it was the first warehouse in Wapping, and one of the first of all the old warehouses, to be converted into housing, yielding twenty-three very expensive luxury flats. It has been described as "the most architecturally sophisticated warehouse" in its street
I wonder what special facilities a tea warehouse needs!
I visited the shore there and the steps are just by the side of the pub next door.

Penelope said...

It is always so interesting to see the places where you walk and explore.

Mary said...

The photo of the council flats reminds me of the one my uncle (who worked on the docks) and family were moved to in Poplar, just up the road from Wapping, about 15 years after the war. And yes, a very heavily bombed area.