Over half way !!!

Completing Route 4 means I have now walked 13 miles - half way !! It's hard to believe we've walked this far, looking on the map I could have cut many corners and probably got to this point in just two walks - but that would be cheating !!

Half way - our walk so far

Saturday dawned quite chilly with the forecast of rain so wrapped up and with umbrellas we made our way to Nuneaton station. Virgin Trains have been absolutely amazing with their support. We would have still done my Challenge but there is no doubt that their sponsorship in providing train tickets has been a real bonus.

Arriving in Euston just a few minutes late due to engineering works we took the familiar route on the Northern Line to London Bridge and then the Jubilee line to Canada Water where we met up with our friends Dave and Agnes who were joining us to walk Route 4.

Canada Water is the opposite side of Surrey Quays to where Route 3 finished but as it was easier to get the tube than spend a lot longer on the bus the first part of our walk was retracing the very end of Route 3, with added interest on the way. Firstly a small cut of water with moorhens swimming around and a water bird we had seen before but unsure of it's name - finding out later it was a coot !

Coot with ultra bright legs (I'm not sure what was in the
water but everything looked ultra violet)

There's lots of building work happening at Surrey Quays around the old docks and canals. At one point we could see into the compound and the foundation work - such a surprise to see an old dock layout which they appear to be preserving.

Old dock being preserved as the rebuilt takes place

All this interest already and we were not even at the starting point - in fact it was a quarter of a mile to the finish point of Route 3. Nothing had changed, but then it was only a month since we'd been. Our friends kindly took the starting photo so for once you can see both of us.

Ready for Route 4 

Off we set - nothing very exciting about this area of London today but as I said before it was once a thriving dock area with many canals, shipbuilding, trade and of course dockers. The area is now known as Rotherhithe but was originally called Redriff and in Anglo Saxon times was where cattle were landed due to it being one of the ancient river crossing points.

Redriff Road curves left following the river, although we could not see the water as there are houses and flats between the road and river, changing into Slater Road passing Surrey Docks Farm although again we couldn't quite see it. The Thames path runs right along the river edge and having had so much fun doing this walk is something we may consider in the future as it would be very interesting to walk riverside.

Above the houses we could see Canary Wharf - it seemed so close, not the other side of the Thames River. Route 5 and 6 takes us round the Isle of Dogs past all the huge sky scrapers - I hope we'll get the chance to look back across the river.

Canary Wharf - incredible to think the River Thames is between the
houses and the skyscrapers.

Slater Road curves again to the left where we discovered Lavender Dock and Lavender Pond Pumping Station. It's now looked after by The Conservation Volunteers but was once a timber pond where timber was floated to stop it drying out. The Pumphouse was build to control the water levels in Surrey Docks - now it's a conservation area enjoyed by local families.

Lavender Pond and the Pumphouse

The locals enjoying the nature reserve

Round the bend even further, we were walking nearly in the opposite direct to our starting route, we passed over Surrey Water and caught a glimpse of the Bascule Bridge at the entrance to Surrey Canal. Andie Byrnes has an amazing blog - A Rotherhide Blog - all about the history of this area. So much to read with so much detail. It is certainly an area Nick and I are keen to know more about and will be reading Andie's blog to find out more.

Bascule Bridge

As you can tell from my bridge photo the weather was turning, in fact we had begun to feel spots of rain. From crossing the canal we were now in Brunel Road and although the Marathon Route continues along here until the road joins with Jamaica Road we did a very slight detour towards the riverside as my legs were ready for a break, and I'd discovered a great pub when researching our walk.

The Mayflower Pub is like stepping back into the 16th Century and was the original mooring point of the Pilgrim Fathers. The pub is superb with it's old wood, cosy rooms, leaded windows, position on the Thames, good food and wine.

Mayflower plaque

Beer costs a little bit more today !!

Leaded windows - the panes have hues of various colours

Signage inside the pub 

Perfect in such a wonderful setting

Enjoying a short rest in an amazing pub.

Just up the road from the pub we found this lovely statute of the Pilgrim Fathers, another part of history that would be interesting to find more about and it's links to this historical part of our capital city.

Pilgrim Fathers

And just outside the pub is the Brunel Museum with it's tall chimney. There is a shaft and tunnel underneath the river from this museum - it's all so interesting. The tunnel was built in 1843 and was the first one to go under the Thames, quite a novelty at the time. The shaft was built so the tunnel could be built.

Brunel Museum 

Back to Marathon walking and we had company .... rain! Not a huge downpour but that persistent rain that soon has you quite wet. Jamaica Road starts at an island - quite a busy island as it's the entrance to Rotherhithe Tunnel. The road goes down the tunnel, turns left to go under the river then turns again to go back up to road height. Why the turns instead of curves - the tunnel was built in the age of horse and cart - when the horses went under tunnel it was important they didn't see the light of the exit too soon or they would bolt. So putting in a bend preventing the horses bolting and causing accidents.

The tunnel entrance is the archway you can just see left of the lamppost 

So many cars queueing to go under the tunnel - to be honest I didn't know it was a road tunnel, I only knew about the Blackwall Tunnel so quite a surprise to discover another. Just before the island we passed the foot entrance - not sure I'd walk under looking at the number of cars queueing, all that pollution.

Foot entrance to Rotherhithe Tunnel

The rain had really started to come down, straight ahead was what is becoming my 'special landmark'. The Shard was the first London iconic building we saw on our first route and we have passed by it every journey so far - there it was again, directly in front of us giving a spot on interpretation of the weather !! It's become a bit of an encouragement sight for me and does make me smile every time I spot it - even in the rain.

The Shard - my walking landmark 

The streets were becoming more built up now with a mixture of old and new (to look old) buildings. Every so often we could see through to the river making us wish even more to return to do the Thames Path. Here's a few of the buildings and views we saw as we continued along into Tooley Street towards Tower Bridge.

Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church 

Shad Thames - used in the film Oliver 

Hop Studios built 1887 - previously a warehouse,
now apartments and Penthouse suite

Jamaica Wharf - Grade II listed building 

 The traffic lights on Tooley Road were a welcome sight as it meant finally a right turn - a mixed turn as the rain was now heading towards us but we were heading straight for Tower Bridge - what a view.

Who wouldn't smile with such an iconic view
 - even if it was raining

Tower Bridge is such a landmark with quite a history too. Not least the controversy in the late 1960s when an American Tycoon bought London Bridge maybe by mistake. Tower Bridge when built was the largest most sophisticated bascule bridge known, bascule is french for see-saw or balance.

Built over 120 years ago Tower Bridge is the landmark that most people associate with London and it's an important part of the London Marathon as crossing the bridge leaves the south bank behind, moves runners onto the north, business side of London and most importantly marks half way - yeah!

Our crossing of the bridge was certainly memorable - and a challenge as my legs hurt, the rain was pouring and I had photos to take !

Such a stunning structure 

Still raining

Tower Bridge through it's arches 

The views from the bridge are amazing - looking east it was a surprise to see how far we'd walked as we couldn't see the curve in the river at all. Looking west the skyline was such a mixture of old and new - oh the history. London really is a beautiful city.

Looking east back towards the starting point of Route 4

London skyline - Tower of London and the Gherkin - centuries apart

Route 4 finished just over the bridge at Tower Hill junction, this will be the start of Route 5 which turns east along East Smithfield towards Canary Wharf. 

Route 4 was another great day, very tiring and I must apologise to our friends as although it was raining I couldn't speed up. We were all still smiling though. 

Still smiling in the rain 

Hubby and I at the end of Route 4

Turning round to look back across the bridge what did I see, my special landmark of course. Disappearing in the cloud but still there at the end of Route 4.

The Shard disappearing in the cloud

To celebrate finishing another 3 miles and more importantly achieving the half marathon we headed towards All Bar One, one of my favourite red wines is Yering Station Shiraz Viognier, full of sour cherries with a kick of spice - the perfect way to sit with Hubby and friends to relax after quite a walk.

Perfect treat at the end of Route 4 

Thank you so much to Virgin Trains, our lovely friends Dave & Agnes and special thanks to my super Hubby Nick. At one stage I wondered if I could do this - even the first bit - and now have to pinch myself that I have actually got to the half marathon mark :)


This is a personal challenge as well as a fundraiser for my four great charities - THANK YOU to everyone who has donated - the total is currently £371 which is amazing!

Tired but happy on the train home 

Please share my blog and donation page Virgin Giving Clare's Challenge 

I would really like to raise £500 by the end of my walk so the more sharing the more chance of a few more donations - thank you - see you again soon for Route 5.