Maze Hill to Rotherhithe
28 March. This was an impromptu walk as the leader of the planned walk was unavailable due to slight foot injury. This was a walk I and Julian had done and liked with the South Bank group led by Martin F.
Thirteen gathered at the Maze Hill station. The day was bright but with a very chilly wind.
Then we passed what is left of the Queen’s tree where, supposedly, Anne Boleyn danced with Henry VIII. In Greenwich Park (see feature photo) we got a good view from the Observatory over the Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House, a gift / apology from James 1 to Queen Anne of Denmark as he had sworn at her in public after she had shot (by mistake) his favourite dog.
We carried on to the part of Greenwich that has a rural feel, the not so well known view point and little streets (thanks Julian for helping finding our way in that meander)
We crossed the railway line and arrived at St Alfege superb church which the group suggested we visit. A warden showed us the distressing photo of WWII damage and we could admire how well it had been restored . From St Alfege park we joined the Thames path.
Brief stop at the Peter the first statue of him and one of his dwarves to commemorate his visit to Deptford to learn about ship building.
We had lunch at Paynes wharf. A community centre / art hub where you can eat your own picnic indoors ( just as well as we avoided a short hail storm). Lovely, smiley service albeit quite slow. After lunch, onwards to Seyes Court Park and the very old mulberry bush from the time when the house that stood there was rented (and thoroughly trashed by wild parties) by Peter the first .
Next marinas, Greenland docks and the Russian woods. Found some mud and stepping stones and art
We got quite lost in spite of our various maps and we were rescued by a charming young student who offered to lead us out of the woods to Canada Water station. Probably a first in Morley Rambling where the leader is … unknown.
Many thanks to my congenial companions, to my occasional co pilots and of course to Martin F for the route.
Christine M
Additional photos from Ljubow
