The ExCel Blows Hot And Cold
I went to the ExCel yesterday afternoon, to watch the table-tennis.
The sport was fine, but that could not be said for the venue. I was nearly passing out from the heat and left early. I then had to walk the full length of the venue and then back on the outside to get to the cable-car, as I didn’t want to be in the crush on the DLR. Although in the end, I didn’t use the cable-car and took the DLR to Bank, as it wasn’t as crowded as after the boxing. I did meet a guy who’d been in the fencing and he said that was freezing. So it looks like the ExCel should look at its heating and cooling system. A Royal Engineer also told me, he’d felt it was hot in the Excel and he’d just come back from Afghanistan.
Walthamstow To Excel By Public Transport
I’m putting in this journey as it illustrates how good the public transport is for the Games.
Most would take the Victoria line and then fiddle round to Bank for the DLR. Or perhaps go into Liverpool Street and then either walk or take one stop to Bank.
But I wouldn’t!
I’d take the 69 bus or big red taxi as they are known this summer to Canning Town station and then take the DLR two stops from there.
Olympic Travel Directions
They do seem to be written for those, who have no idea where they are going. I’m going to the Canoe Slalom today and they recommend going to Cheshunt and then have a 28 minute walk.
In May 2011, I did a recconaissance and found that it was just as easy to get there from Waltham Cross as from Cheshunt. Not sure yet how I’ll go, but I could go to either, as it is pleasant walk along the river from Cheshunt and I have tickets to collect.
The guy I’m going with, is actually cycling from Kingston. He’s also stopping off at his office in the city.
It does strike me though, that some of the directions they’re giving aren’t the best. They were talking on the radio this morning about going to the equestrian events at Greenwich through London Bridge. I would take the DLR from Bank to Cutty Sark station and walk up.
I was on the DLR yesterday at lunchtime and it wasn’t very busy. Cinderella is certainly going to be the star of this ball. Who’d have thought this stop-gap railway built on the cheap would perform so well? I did, but then I’m a fan of London’s forgotten railway. I’ve always said that no visit to London is complete without a ride on the DLR. After all it does go to some very important venues and tourist sites.
Free Newspapers Anyone?
This guy in red was handing out free copies of The Sun and The Sunday Times.
Free Newspapers Anyone?
Well they certainly looked to be free and News International was doing the same at BTLondonLive.
My Usual Sunday Circuit
For four Sundays now, I’ve done a circuitous route to Canary Wharf, using the DLR, the Emirates Air-Line and the Jubilee line. Although today was the second competition day in the Olympics, I did it again today. These pictures were taken on the way to Royal Victoria Docks station for the cable-car.
it’s one of best parts of the DLR for photography and I sat on the south or right side of the train looking towards Canary Wharf and the Dome.
A Morning Trip In The Rain
I’ve been there many times in my past, both as a child and as a parent.
It’s raining, cats, dogs and hippopotami and all of the things to do indoors have been done to death. So this morning, I decided to see what the new Emirates Air-Line is like in the heavy rain.
I took my usual route to the Northern terminal at Royal Victoria DLR station, by taking a bus and a tube to Bank station and then getting the faithful Docklands Light Railway. Is there a railway anywhere in the world, that was built as on-the-cheap as the DLR, that has morphed so successfully from an ugly duckling into a swan? Or possibly in the DLR’s case to a whole game of swans.
Even on the short trip from Bank to Royal Victoria, there is much to see, like the expensive yachts, housing and offices, the many spires of the East End and mud flats, factories and construction of the River Lea. It is a trip that delights most children.
I took these pictures on the way to Royal Victoria, during the crossing and then at North Greenwich.
Afterwards, I took the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf for a late Full Italian breakfast at Carluccio’s.
So was it a worthwhile trip? And would it be with young children?
- I only got wet walking between Royal Victoria DLR station and the cable-car and between the cable-car and North Greenwich tube station.
- The queues were less than last Sunday and marginally worse at North Greenwich. Is that because there’s parking on the South bank of the river.
- The view from the gondola wasn’t too bad at all. Is the glass treated with a water repellant?
So on balance, a trip in the rain, may even have an advantage in that the crowds are smaller and you don’t have to wait.
The Emirates Air-Line Was Busy
The Emirates Air-Line opened today at midday. It was busy at both ends. These pictures shown the northern end at Royal Victoria Dock.
I don’t know whether they are always going to do this, but the staff went down the queues and if you had a valid Oyster card, with enough on it, they let you straight through to the gates. Those that needed to buy a ticket, had to wait.
Note that I actually travelled to the cable-car by going to Royal Victoria station on the DLR from Bank. I changed at Poplar station, but don’t worry as there are always staff to point lost passengers on their way. In some ways the DLR has benefited by a decision to have unmanned stations, except at interchanges. Each train has no driver, but a Train Captain and rarely is there not someone at hand for advice or help. The DLR’s passenger safety record is I believe very good.
The Thames Barrier Park
Yesterday, I went to the Thames Barrier Park to have a walk.
It is a great place for a walk and the coffee in the cafe there, is very good. Just take the Docklands Light Railway to Pontoon Dock station.
An Amazing Coincidence
Yesterday, whilst descending to the DLR on the escalator at Bank station, I held a lady up because I rather slowed the queue. I apologised and then we found we were both going to Cutty Sark. I was going to see HMS Ocean and she was meeting a group of people to explore Maritime Greenwich.
We sat together on the DLR and then found that she had been brought up in Westpole Avenue in Cockfosters, which was a parallel road to where I lived at the time in Sussex Way. We were also very much in agreement, that the area was the coldest place in London.
We exchanged memories all the way to Cutty Sark.
The View From the North Bank of the Thames
After an excellent gluten-free sandwich and a coffee in the Starbucks by the Cutty Sark, I got onto the DLR again and travelled back to Island Gardens, where I walked along the North Bank of the Thames taking pictures.
Note you can just see the three masts of Cutty Sark in some of these pictures in front of HMS Ocean.
The Anonymous Widower 