River Thames

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We had a trip down the River Thames the other day, on the Thames Clippers catamaran "Monsoon Clipper". It wasn't the warmest of days to be standing on the open afterdeck taking snaps but I felt I owed it to my great-grandfather, who was a Thames waterman, to see the river from his perspective.

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Photos

The Thames at river level
First impression of the Thames as seen from the boat

Hungry traveller
Debbie tucks into a pasty on the afterdeck

The Mother of Parliaments
Houses of Parliament from the river

Cleopatra
This Ancient obelisk was presented to the Nation by the ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali, in 1819. The Shell Building stands behind it.

HQS Wellington
An historic ship, which has been moored on the Thames since 1948

HMS President
Another ship enjoying retirement on the Thames

Blackfriars Bridge
Built in 1869 and opened by Queen Victoria, it carries the A201 across the river.

Riverside Buildings
The buildings along the banks of the Thames were varied and very interesting

Tower Bridge
Approaching one of the river's most recognisable landmarks

The Tower
Possibly the last view some poor unfortunate soul would have had of the outside of the tower

Barges at rest
Retirement home for Thames barges

Crowded skyline
Canary Wharf, etc.

Lightships at rest
And a retirement home for lightships

Dome
Cardiff got a magnificent stadium for the millennium. London got this - great choice, boys!

Greenwich
The Old Royal Naval College.

Having a paddle
The paddlesteamer "Elizabethan"

Another one
This one's the "Dixie Queen"

HMS Belfast
On our way back up river now, passing the mighty Belfast.

London Bridge
This one is not falling down - and neither is some American going to buy it, thinking it's Tower Bridge.

Sea Containers House
Former home of the large shipping group.

Oxo Tower
Another famous riverside landmark