Day 11 Erith to Bexley

Well that was lovely! The weather was completely different to yesterday, I wore my Merrells again (like slippers after the boots) and my jacket stayed in my bag. No hillocking hills either, flat as a Dutch pancake. Brilliant.

I'd not been to Erith before, no real reason I suppose. It's a part of the river that still works for its living.  This is the start point if you follow the logical flow of the official walk route from beginning to end. The book suggests that every walk needs a 'proper' start and so takes you to a flagpole in Riverside Gardens. I'm not sure why the rather elegant station building wasn't chosen, they don't make them like that anymore, sadly.

Erith station

Flagpole disguised as a yacht's mast

The river was very much at a low tide when I was passing by. It's amazing to see how wide the Thames is here, even if you think it's big in central London. Although it's still difficult trying to get my head around the scale of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the Dartford Power station chimney - both are enormous. I saw them the other day when approaching Purfleet and again today; both are genuine feats of engineering.

Viewed from north bank: QEII bridge & Dartford Power Station

Today's route took me along to Crayford Ness then round into the Darent Valley, past its own curious flood barrier, then onto the River Cray towards Crayford. The industrial noises came and went as did the occasional cyclist, runners and other walkers. They have this thing for piebald ponies around here, you find them in odd corners, often on their own, seemingly not looking very happy. Perhaps they're not very cheerful ponies? Strange.

You can see all their footprints up the bank from the river

Following the storyline from other days, it's great to see that we're taking more care of our environment these days. The marshlands are being conserved for wildlife, there are more birds visiting or just enjoying living here. It was a very quiet walk for much of the way, becoming busier with dog walkers and families nearer to Crayford. The scenery changed from mud flats to more traditional river disposition. It never got quite as scrubby as some places I've recently though (thank you).

Along the River Cray

One of the many things I love about London is its history. This city is so rich in memories. You can go pretty much anywhere and find something interesting if you try. The middle of Crayford at the Waterside Gardens, for example, is where the Roman Watling Street forded the River Cray.

Crayford Waterside Gardens

Sometimes you wonder at the grandeur of a place long-gone when the only things left are two columns. Such is the case for the one-time Crayford cinema and the columns which now adorn the forecourt of a car showroom. The columns used to support the canopy. They are rather lovely :-)

Column with leaf and shell motifs

The other column

There were a few gems and the biggest was about to arrive - Hall Place. This house was built in two halves a hundred years apart in two styles, no apologies. Hall Place was built in 1537 for Sir John Champneys, a former Lord Mayor of London, using local monastery fragments and the outer walls have a distinctive checkerboard pattern of flint and rubble masonry. In 1649, Sir John's grandson sold Hall Place to Robert Austen, a merchant, who decided to add a red brick extension. Don't know who gave planning permission for it. Both halves of the building are absolutely beautiful. The gardens are open, there's lot to do and I want to go back for a proper visit.

The red brick later addition

Spot the join

Topiary updated

Old meets well, old

So beautiful!

I had to drag myself away. Not much further on, and near the end of my day's stroll, was St Mary the Virgin, Bexley. I'm not quite sure how old the current building is although a church has been on site since a mention in the Domesday Book at least. It has been much updated on the interior in particular, but its distinguishing feature is the spire.

An octagon on top of a chopped off pyramid

And finally, there was the rather handsome High Street House, bearing a blue plaque in the name of John Thorpe, who was a Kentish historian. Apparently.

Are we nearly there yet?