There is, apparently, a Japanese tradition of Death Poems, oft written in the last moments of a poets life, and haunting as one would expect from such a culture.
Or perhaps Takuan Soho’s effort, dragged out of him reluctantly
Back before our Canterbury trip, but only catching up with now, Heather and I took in two sparkly seasonal light shows closer to home—one was entertaining, one left me a bit meh.
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Stage lighting
A chance to see a couple of bands recently. First up in were Cast Shepherd’s Bush Empire. They were supported by the great Pastel who sound more ’90s than a lot of ’90s bands. Cast took us through the now thirty year old All Change and some other hits.
The Charlatans
In we got to see The Charlatans at The Roundhouse. They decided to support themselves in an extended set, which made it all the better.
Having visited one historic city in August Heather and I headed for another for an extended weekend, heading for the Christmas markets of Canterbury.
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Before, after, and in and around our trips to Winchester and Hastings there were a few other things I’m still trying to catch up on. I was going to dump it all into one post, but I think I’ll break it into several themed pieces.
Yet another piece of catching up.
Waverley waiting to carry us
Heather and I visited the Tower of London. As mentioned in that post the reason we were in London to do so is that we were originally supposed to be doing something else, but were disappointed when it didn’t happen (such is the way of things sometimes). That “something else” was a cruise aboard the Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. A year later we were back in London, to fulfil that original plan.
So it was we had a day off work and were up early (having stayed over nearby the night before) to get down to the pier by the Tower and meet the wonderful ship. Once aboard we discovered a wonderful world of lounges, views and bars all beaten by the magnificent view of the engines.
Lifted for our passage
We set of from the Tower Pier aided by a tug to help us turn in the Pool of London before headed down the river and beneath the raised Tower Bridge. Our route was to be down the river, calling in at Gravesend to pick up and drop of passengers, before turning at the mouth of the Thames and heading back up the Medway as far as Rochester, and then back again in the evening and night.
Passed beyond Dartford
The journey down the Thames was enlivened by some interesting commentary on what we were passing as so, despite the cold, we spent much of it on deck taking in the views. That was when we could drag ourselves away from watching the hypnotic motion of the paddle wheel drives, the magnificent (now diesel powered) steam engine a constant draw.
Steaming along with us
The Thames banks turn more industrial down river, and so not quite so interesting, so we did explore the lounges for food and a couple of drinks. Still, turning to the Medway brought us back to deck, as we were greeted by the steam tug Challenge, as well as a much more modern tug with water canon salute.
Passing up the Medway we could just about see Medway Queen at Gillingham Peer, and got an interesting view of Upnor Castle before reaching the newly constructed Limehouse Landing at Rochester.
In the Jeanie Dean Lounge
Unfortunately our stop off in Rochester wasn’t really long enough to get into down and back with time to do anything before departure, so we sat aboard the Waverley and watched the change of passengers. Soon enough we were retracing our course though, journeying back towards the Thames and central London. We spent more time below decks on the return journey, enjoying (and singing along with) the vintage entertainment. We were back on deck as night fell though, passing the illuminated Cutty Sark before reaching Tower Bridge once more, lit up and raising to allow us to pass back through to end a magical journey.
And oh, those engines…
Getting a glimpse of the first loco of the day
Back when we went to Winchester I mentioned that the Watercress Line didn’t feel quite as good as the Bluebell Line, and we got a chance for a direct comparison in .
We were down there not to see the old steam locos, but the new ones! A festival of new steam, with four engines built long after the “death of steam”. We arrived at East Grinstead just in time to pick up a ride behind old favourite Tornado, a magnificent beast of a machine which smoothly drew us down the entire line from one end to Sheffield Park at the other.
With a hard working crew
There we had a quick turnover to catch a brief ride with Lady of Legend back one stop to Horstead Keynes. There we wandered round the carriage works and took in the stalls on the platform—though to be honest we’d sort of lost track of which station the main restaurant was at.
Heather’s favourite little engine
No matter, Betton Grange was soon there to take us back up the line to Sheffield Park, where we found a busy lunch area and bar. After refreshments we had the joy of wandering the sheds, with a number of static locos, including Heather’s beloved Stepney (and a gently steaming could of engines out the back). There was also a chance to recreate a photo of Heather from long ago.
At the front of the double header
Our ride back home (or at least, back to our starting point) was a double header of Tornado and Bluebell’s very own Beachy Head, a fine pair of engines to steam back up through the fading light.
We left them all behind, having had a fine time—and yes, probably better than the Watercress.
Part of a little bit of a catchup—This time songs (and a talk):
With a string quartet
A we saw Ocean Colour Scene. That night they were supported by a duo called Burr Island who we’ve loved ever since. So the chance to see them at a little London venue (in an old church) came up we jumped at it. They had an orchestral quartet with them and, apart from the annoyingly hard chairs, we had a lovely time listening.
Singing
Our second musical experience took us to a new venue for us, though hardly modern (despite its once great modernity). Royal Festival Hall on the Thames Southbank may be iconic, but it could do with a few more icons in the form of signs. It was hard enough to find a door, never mind the route to where we should be. Never mind though, we found the hall in time to see Suede go through their rocking act.
Looks like a jaguar
At least we know how to get in Feeder play Comfort In Sound in full at Brixton. That reminded us of what a wonderful album it actually is, before an encore filled with other hits.
Energising the Electric Ballroom
A smaller venue for a return to see The Enemy, who we last saw back in 2022. They were just as good this time, with an energetic set.
Waiting for David Olusoga
Talking of badly sign posted venues, The Barbican is notorious for such things, and so it proved when we rocked up there (for our first visit) to see an interesting talk by David Olusoga. He took us back through history by means of four guns, which sat ominously on the stage with him throughout. A fascinating but disturbing insight.
Finally, back in we took in the Greenwich Comedy Festival (which is a bit of a tradition), this time with Ed Gambon (and some others—Rosie Jones seems to be getting better live).