Month: August 2009

I walked past the Blacksmiths Arms in Rotherhithe on Saturday not knowing that it was being featured that day in The Independent as one of ‘50 Best Gastro Pubs‘.

I did not know that it was a gastro pub. Along with my companion I had just had a wonderful lunch for £5 at Surrey Docks Farm . The meat was from the farm and real apples were just 30p each. We sat sheltered from the sun on the terrace with hops spilling over the fence.

I see that the paper also listed The Trout at at Tadpole – although the location is given as Buckland Marsh. Sadly it’s now rather expensive.

But back in London we also tried the new Tassili Coffee Shop on the path in East Lane next to Chambers Wharf. Seems to be popular with walkers.

See pages 21, 22 and 26.

A section of the Thames Path between the Founders Arms near Tate Modern and Blackfriars Bridge is being closed for at least two years from  next month.

The closure will take place in the week beginning 14 September which is just after the Thames Festival.

The path diversion will be signposted behind the Bankisde Gallery and down Hopton Street, right along Southwark Street to pass under the railway and right into Blackfriars Road.

The long closure will allow work to continue on the building an entrance from the south side Thames Path to the new Blackfriars Station which will span the river. The work is part of the much delayed Thameslink rail project.

See page 34.

Expect to see flowers on the Marchioness memorial at the back of Southwark Cathedral over the weekend.

Today is the 20th anniversary of the disaster when 51 people drowned after the Marchioness was hit by the Bowbelle. The pleasure boat was between Southwark Bridge and Cannon Street Railway Bridge.

The names of the dead were read at today’s two masses at the cathedral and tonight there is choral evensong sung by a choir recalled from holiday for the occasion. Among those due to present are Odette Penwarden who helped to organise the river trip and is now a volunteer at the cathedral.

See page 33.