Of Ferry Boats, Plants, Butterflies &c.

We had decided to toddle up to the City of London: however, we got no further than Woolwich (in the Royal Borough of Greenwich). Prior to boarding a Docklands Light Railway Train to take us up to Tower Gateway we wandered down to the River Thames, through the site of the former Royal Arsenal, to see if we could find any Plants growing beside the Thames Path &c.

Starting beside the Thames Clippers', Royal Arsenal Woolwich Pier, we walked Upstream towards the Woolwich Ferry', South Pier viz.

We briefly contemplated taking a Voyage to North Woolwich but decided that could wait for another Time.

Encouraged by the Plants we had already found (including Gipsywort growing beside the Sea Wall by the Thames), we abandoned our proposed visit to the City (perhaps best visited during the Week-End period anyway) and continued walking Upstream towards the Thames Barrier, up to the remains of the former Mersey Ferry, the MV Royal Iris viz.

A Sad and rather Distressing Sight. We find it quite Enchanting to know that in happier days, the Vessel boasted a Fish and Chip Saloon!

We understand that she was retired during the Mid 1980's and ended up in the Thames during the Early C21.

Whilst looking at her, it occurred to us that We and the Royal Iris have something in common viz. we grew up in a World that no longer seems to exist!

But back to Sad Reality and the main Business of the Day.

Plant' Species seen (within Grid References TQ4179, TQ4279 and TQ4379) included:

Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil *
Black Nightshade
Black Spleenwort (see below)
Common Field-Speedwell
Common Knapweed *
Common Ragwort
Creeping Thistle
Gipsywort viz.

Goat's-Rue
Greater Knapweed *
Hart's-Tongue Fern (see below)
Hop Trefoil
Kidney Vetch *
Marsh Woundwort
Melilot (White)
Melilot (Yellow)
Narrow-Leaved Ragwort
Nipplewort
Oxeye Daisy *
Purple Loosestrife
Redshank
Salad Burnet * viz.

Sea Aster
Sea Beet
Selfheal *
Skullcap (seen within Grid Reference TQ4379 and only the third time we have ever seen Skullcap, having previously seen it growing beside the Serpentine in Hyde Park and on the Dartford Marshes) viz.

Spear Thistle
Wall-Rue (see below)
Wild Carrot *
Yarrow *

* growing in a small, seemingly neglected, 'Wild Flower Area' (Grid Reference TQ4379) viz.

We assume the Plants were initially introduced: it seems inconceivable that such a variety of Plants arrived naturally. Or perhaps they did? There is also another similar, smaller area, just behind us.

And we were Super-Surprised to see a Butterfly, a Small Copper Butterfly no less, viz.

We always look on old Walls in the hopes of finding something interesting and today was no exception: finding some Black Spleenwort and Hart's-Tongue Fern viz.

With Wall-Rue growing nearby.

On the River, we noticed a Passenger Vessel, the Princess Pocahontas, working her way Downstream en-route for Gravesend: passing Bulk Carrier, Interlink Activity, moored at (Tate & Lyle's) Thames Refinery Outer viz.

We also noticed a small party of Swans, looking very Regal and Serene viz.

A few Mallards were also present: and a single Black-Headed Gull.

As we ended the Walk, back beside the Thames Clippers', Royal Arsenal Woolwich Pier, it started to Rain. It continued until Midnight and Beyond!

A Footnote: we tend to associate Woolwich with the Royal Arsenal, forgetting that Woolwich has a proud Naval Tradition viz. the Woolwich Royal Dockyards, founded during the Early C16 by Henry VIII.

Not much remains but there are a couple of so-called, Dry Docks, filled with Water now (and Fish including Carp and Goldfish), apparently dating back to Henry VIII viz.