Charlton's Wire Workshop

This is the final post of the day we spent most of the day on the Thames Path. I’ve already shared posts on the pigeon cruise, which I’ve since learnt is a former Mersey Ferry, and riverside industrial views. Today I’m sharing, what is probably my favourite part of the day, and the most unexpected. It was right at the start of the day that we explored part of Charlton’s Riverside and its faded glory prompted distinct memories of my trip to Cuba back in 2000. It’s true that the blue skies and the warmth of the sun helped!

The area is currently being redeveloped as part of the Faraday Works project. There’s plenty of information on the colourful hoardings and whatever your feelings about this, bringing these buildings back to life has to be the right thing. Though I’m sure there’s plenty of work, as looking at the site, the wire workshop (above) which dates to 1871-90 is currently inaccessible and missing parts of the roof and floors - even from these photos, that’s easily believable.

The site has a fascinating history, in 1863 the Faraday Works site was part of the Siemens Brothers first British factory manufacturing telegraph cables and other equipment. By the outbreak of the Second World War 9,000 people were working there in an area covering 35 acres; the factory helped in operation PLUTO (Pipeline Under the Ocean) which pumped petrol across the English Channel after D-Day.

In the 20th century the site thrived but social and economic change meant the Siemens complex closed. Some buildings were retaining but most were demolished.

The Wire Workshop, which most of these photos show will be restored to become a hub for local businesses providing collaborative working spaces, which sounds a great way of bringing the place back to life.

It will be interesting to see how this space develops. Let’s hope it doesn’t lose it’s history, and the buildings retain their character, but once again become useful and usable.

Industrial views alongside the Thames

Looking back at my photos from our walk along the Thames - that day where we clocked up over 20,000 steps, way more than my what has become usual for lockdown 200 (on a good day!) - I was struck by the beauty of its industrial-ness. And yes, I know that’s not a word, but it seems to fit.

We had great weather for a walk, which started in earnest once we’d reached the Thames Barrier, one of London’s iconic structures. I’ve never been inside, but I have admired from either side of the river many a time.

Perhaps it was the good weather, but even the rusty railings and gateposts were looking good, and I suspect that MOH knew at this point that our walk was going to be one of those with plenty of camera stops.

And why not, especially when most of the Thames Path was relatively quiet, and presented us with views such as this.

Clearly this is still a working part of the river, but imagine its history. I bet it has many, many stories to tell.

Even the graffiti looked more of a work of art rather than vandalism.

When we reached the Yacht Club, I did have a smile - though only cats need to stop here, clearly.

But even though there was the ironwork and industrialism, there was also softer elements. Planting along the Thames Path included vibrant hollyhocks, and even though it was still July, some blackberries.

I doubt there’ll be any left by the time of traditional blackberrying.

There’s a kind of romanticism about the next shot, and not just how the picture’s framed, or even the bikes resting alongside the end of the jetty, it’s owners no doubt enjoying a quiet and beautiful spot.

So much has changed along the river since we cycled along here regularly, but I’m pretty sure that this was the jetty on which MOH proposed, many years ago. A cold February day where he insisted we head out for a walk, and ushered me here. All the time though the weather was worsening and snow was threatening, and I was desperate to get home, little knowing his plans, or how I was wrecking them. Though it all turned out ok in the end.

As we neared Greenwich we realised all this walking was thirsty work, so stopping at the Cutty Sark Tavern (the pub, not the boat) we enjoyed the view for a pint or two.

London really is a great place, and this year many more of us Londoners will hopefully remember to enjoy some of those great spots.

Starting our gabion basket journey

We've made great progress with our gabion basket 'installation' - and that's probably the right word for it, as it's become a bit of a work of art. But let's start at the beginning and our half-metre cubes arrived promptly, but flat-packed. Which makes sense but meant an extra job.  The helicoils were strange things, spring-like looking but not spring-like in their nature; they're an alternative way of constructing the baskets, although we found that they're not as tightly fitting as the hand tied wire rings, or lacing, which we improved our technique the more we did.

The helicoils looked good though. We've used them on the corners of each basket to ensure neither of us scrape our legs on the corners. To start with I wasn't sure about their whirly-whirly look, but it's growing on me.

Assembling the baskets took longer than we expected, but I'm pretty sure we sped up as we got into a rhythm. It was definitely a 'gloves on' job, although I'm not sure why MOH has two odd, but still yellow gloves, on. I don't have yellow gloves, and yet he's two pairs...

We found it tricky to keep the basket assembled while we were assembling, and I thought I had just the thing - and I did - freezer bag ties!

They were super helpful and meant we needed many less pairs of hands.

The 'lacing' was very much like sewing with wire. Harder than it looks, but definitely do-able. Especially after watching a few videos on YouTube!

One down, twelve to go. Or at least I think it's twelve, it depends on how many we'll use. And if I get any other bright ideas along the way. Our next challenge was how to fill them, and I'd a plan for that

We're a little way off filling the baskets here, but we have made good progress - the least interesting part, but essential, was levelling the area for the larger baskets which will house the Pizza oven.  

Not the most glamorous of posts, especially the last phtoo, but an essential one as no one needs a wonky pizza oven!