An hour or so spent by the Thames on Saturday in glorious weather gave a glimpse of the wonderfully diverse ways in which people use, work on or just simply enjoy the river. Here are some of the vessels seen passing Greenwich on Saturday... [Read more...]
HMS Ocean at Greenwich until Monday morning
HMS Ocean arrived at Greenwich on Thursday afternoon and can be seen moored up there until early on Monday morning.
The visit by HMS Ocean is her first since the two times she visited the capital during London 2012. Lucky ticket holders will be able to look around the recently refitted ship on Sunday. [Read more...]
HMS Defender leaves, HMS Ocean to arrive next week
After a six day visit to the capital, the Daring class destroyer HMS Defender sailed out of Greenwich yesterday. The Type 45 warship had been in London for a port visit which helped mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli and she also welcomed aboard visitors last weekend who all seemed to give it the thumbs up, judging by the reaction on social media. [Read more...]
HMS Defender arrives at Greenwich
IN the very early hours of this morning, HMS Defender arrived at Greenwich.
The Royal Navy's state-of-the-art destroyer is making its first visit to the capital and will be moored at Greenwich until next Tuesday.
Her visit, and that of HMS Middleton which will be coming up the river to HMS President at Wapping on Friday, is timed to coincide with the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli. [Read more...]
Barrier closed for 175th time to protect London
THE THAMES Barrier was closed for the 175th time to protect London on Saturday.
The closure was ordered to keep the capital safe from a very high tide that was predicted. The closure started at about 10.30 and by midday, all the gates were fully raised.
As high tide approached at about 2pm, water spilled across the path and on to grass at Barrier Gardens. [Read more...]
New Deptford Creek swing bridge opens to the public
A LONG awaited new foot bridge across the mouth of Deptford Creek was officially opened today.
The new swing bridge connects the Thames Path from Millennium Quay to newly opened parts of New Capital Quay.
The bridge, with its striking design, was officially opened by the leader of Greenwich Council Denise Hyland at about 9.30 this morning. People took the opportunity to cross the bridge throughout the day, with many stopping to chat and admire the exciting new crossing. [Read more...]
HMS Severn to visit London
THE Royal Navy's HMS Severn will pass Greenwich this coming Wednesday en route to the Upper Pool for a six day visit.
The river-class patrol vessel is due at Tower Bridge for 12.45 so should pass the Thames Barrier about an hour before that and the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich at approximately 12.15 - MarineTraffic.com is a recommended website for tracking vessels on the river. [Read more...]
Tall Ships Festival ends with stunning Parade of Sail
The five day Tall Ships Festival has drawn to a close with a beautiful parade of sail. On a gloriously warm day, the fifty ships that have been in London for the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival mustered up towards Limehouse before being led down river by Polish sail training ship Dar Mlodziezy.
Crowds packed along the riverside to see the parade of barques, brigatines, schooners, sloops, cutters and ketches snake around the bends of the river. Here is a selection of photographs taken over the past few days in Greenwich.
Tall Ships Festival gets under way
The biggest tall ships event on the Thames for a quarter of a century is getting under way, with about 50 ships in the capital for the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta.
Over the next five days there will be lots to see on the river and also plenty of activities taking place on dry land, too. Today's events include a parade of traditional Thames Sailing Barges, a spectacular launch performance from a Catalan theatre group at the ORNC and fireworks on the river as tall ships sail by.
Cruise ships passing Greenwich this week
After a quiet few weeks on the river for big ships up as far as Greenwich, there's a glut of cruise ship spotting opportunities over the next seven days.
First up is small Norwegian MS GANN, the "wood turning cruise ship" on which young sailors learn the skills of navigation, deck work, catering and more. She is due to pass Greenwich inbound on her way to her mooring next to HMS Belfast at about 1pm on Tuesday and pass Greenwich outbound at about 3.30pm on Wednesday.