Misty Moisty Morning
I am no early riser. I'll just about stir myself to get to Billingsgate occasionally, and I've been known to get up early to take one of those ridiculous cheap flights that only seem to leave at horrid hours of the day. But there are some things that really are worth the effort - and if you can suffer the pain at the moment there are some incredible morning views from the Thames.And no - I don't have a new camera - this one's borrowed. But being posh, it takes better shots than I do...
This majestic sight is actually the ballast works at Charlton. I tell you - early morning mist, with the sun doing its best to burn through it does wonders for even the dullest place. To be honest I'm rather fond of this wharf - I love the fact that it still has a working railway on the secret Angerstein line that many people don't even realise exists.Moving on, we next see Millennium Village, in muted shades that make it look like some kind of fairy city:
I nearly didn't put the next pic in - there are so many photos of the Dome - but it is an incredible structure, I'm in a mellow, indulgent mood - and it's my blog...
Here's the defunct Syrol - not long for this world. I understand the grand explosion of the silos is scheduled for February. 
The power station looks quite majestic in any light, IMHO. It probably wasn't the best place to site it, next to the delicate, ancient Trinity Hospital - but it has an industrial magnificence that earns it respect now...
If you peer very closely at the next pic, you'll see the aforesaid delicate Trinity Almshouses nestled in the shadow of its neighbour. 
Coming to the end of the Greenwich part of my trip now - the foot tunnel, just as the sun is just about to peep through:
And finally - the most splendid, regal sight in Greenwich - The Old Royal Naval College at Too-Bloomin' Early o'clock in the morning...
Inspired? Thames Clippers website is here. It doesn't mention (that I can find) anything about the promised acceptance of Pay As You Go Oyster cards from November that there had all the fuss and publicity about a few months ago, but when I emailed them to find out what was happening I was assured it will happen later this month. They've promised to let me know when Oystercards will be accepted - I'll keep you posted.Labels: river, Secret Greenwich, Thames Clippers, Things to do
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
09:05
6 Comments:
I keep meaning to get up early to go to Billingsgate too, but the nice man in the Circus Street fish monkey(as my daughter calls him) keeps more social hours and still has great kippers.
Love the early morning shots and the Phantoms chilled mood (probably due to sleep deprevation). I think one of the last two Greenwich shots is about to be my new Windows wallpaper...
I recommend a visit to Billingsgate - even if only the once to find a small piece of secret London, and to know what the poor old Fish Monkey does every day.
I get up at 5.00, get dressed and out in 15 minutes (c'mon - it's a FISH market - no one's going to notice I haven't showered) A further ten (at that time of the day) to get to the market, then half an hour or so of fascination before dashing home to miss the Blackwall traffic - which means I've never managed to eat at one of the caffs that look so intriguing behind condensation-streaked glass windows. But that would mean getting up even earlier. Eeek.
If you like Billingsgate (as I do) it's worth checking out their Cookery School.
I went on a one day course there a couple of years ago called "Catch of the Day" or some such.
You arrive there at the obligatory ungodly hour and get breakfast provided and a guided tour of the market. Then a quite intensive class thoughout the morning in knife skills and you get to cook 2 or 3 dishes (and take them home with you afterwards).
The woman who taught my course was the author of the Leith Fish Cooker Bible.
It was quite eerie coming out of the course early afternoon and looking down from the gallery at the now deserted market space below.
Incidentally does the Circus Street Fishmongers use Billingsgate? From their billboards I thought they had a direct supplier from Cornwall.
Lovely moody pics phantom.
I am a little bit jealous of Old China in so far as, we have a good Butcher Monkey, great Baker Monkey but no Fish Monkeys ;(
hi,
You wrote sometime back about Number 37 Burney St. I was wondering if you have stayed there and any idea how to contact them and the price.
thanks for the information.
Prema
No - I've never stayed at any hotels in Greenwich - I live here and there hasn't seemed much of a reason to.
The website for Number 37 is here:
http://web.mac.com/julia57/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
It has tariffs and some explanations.
Generally, folks, if you have an off-topic question, probably best to contact me directly via Ask the Phantom - I don't always see comments.
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