Exploring from Limehouse Basin

Sunday, 18 September 2011 15:06

As we had a day "to spare" before rejoining the River Thames we went for an explore

The DLR line to Canary Wharf and Lewisham 

The DLR is a great way to get around and gives some good views of Docklands and other "sights" .......

These are our mooring views, both from the side hatch

Early this morning we were woken by the expected noise of the narrowboat moored against us. He left to go up the Thames around 5.30 am, with an outboard motor he needed the flat calm of the flood tide with no other boats to disturb him! Rather him than us.

Later, at a more respectable hour, Cabby also left  

Even later we went on the DLR, via a change at Poplar, to Stratford. The largest urban shopping centre in Europe has just opened as part of the regeneration of the area and a "flag ship" destination prior to the Olympics.

Westfield shopping centre over Stratford rail lines

It was so very busy - and so many police around, but we made our way to John Lewis to browse. We also had lunch there in the impressive restaurant. We were struck by the excellence of the service there and in the rest of the shop. No chatting to other staff, the focus was entirely on the customer and our needs. The same could be said for Lakeland, my other temptation!

John Lewis is the official Olympic " department store provider" and has an Olympic shop and a panoramic view of the stadia. 

Panorama taken from John Lewis

The individual stadia are left to right - the Aquatic Centre, the Water Polo Arena and behind it the main stadium. You can also see The Orbit Tower too. 

Returning to Limehouse we were able to visit the Accumulator Tower which is by the DLR and overlooks the Basin and London. Water under high pressure was used to drive the various machinery and gates in what was once the Regent's Canal Dock. It is now Limehouse Basin, with the Limehouse Cut reopened and more modern additions. I managed to climb the spiral staircase and we were rewarded with some fine views.

Across Limehouse Basin towards Crystal Palace

We could just make out the BBC Crystal Palace mast and also the ITV one - both very familiar to me as a child growing up in their shadow. Somewhere over there was my sister who is braving the Thames with us!  I resisted a wave 

Over the DLR towards Greenwich and the Dome

The City and the Gherkin looking west

An interesting day - but today it gets even more interesting ......