Monthly Archives: April 2019

West India Docks

Posted on 29 April 2019 by

Above: Part of Fairburn’s map showing the layout of the West India Docks when they first opened in 1802. The map also shows the City Canal. Construction work of the two original West India Docks was sanctioned in 1799 by … Continue reading →

Posted in /Thames, /Tow-Poplar, 0-Canary Wharf | Leave a comment

London’s Rich Tapestry of History

Posted on 26 April 2019 by

Above: The destination board of this London bus bears the name of a location that was in existence about 1,400 years ago. For those of us who live in London, it is all too easy to go about our everyday … Continue reading →

Posted in /London | Leave a comment

Reed’s Wharf Houseboats

Posted on 24 April 2019 by

Above: Looking west at the houseboats with Tower Bridge behind them. The position of the houseboats is just down-river from Tower Bridge, with access for all the owners from a long and winding gangway connected to a land entrance at … Continue reading →

Posted in /Sou-Bermondsey, /Thames | Leave a comment

Victoria Embankment Dragons

Posted on 23 April 2019 by

Above: One of a pair of dragons making the entrance into the City on the Victoria Embankment. The 23rd of April is St George’s Day which, of course, is all about the famous knight fighting the dragon. The Coat of … Continue reading →

Posted in /City of London | Leave a comment

Chaucer’s Pilgrims – The Squire

Posted on 19 April 2019 by

In Chaucer’s group of 29 pilgrims – who spent the night at the Tabard Inn before setting off for Canterbury in the morning – there was a Knight who had with him his son who is described as a Squire. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2-Chaucer | Leave a comment

Chaucer’s Pilgrims – The Knight

Posted on 17 April 2019 by

Although the Prologue to the ‘Canterbury Tales’ is only a small fraction of the entire work, it is in many ways the most interesting. Because the descriptions of the pilgrims are so vivid, they make you feel that you have … Continue reading →

Posted in 2-Chaucer | Leave a comment

Thomas a Becket Pub

Posted on 15 April 2019 by

Above: View of the pub today. The present pub, built in 1898, stands on the site that was once beside the stream mentioned in the ‘Canterbury Tales’ by Geoffrey Chaucer. It is closed at the time of writing and sadly, … Continue reading →

Posted in /Sou-Southwark, 2-Chaucer, 4-Comment | Leave a comment