Thank you Bill for arranging this ride - and thank you to Her Welshness for highlighting it.
The cool weather didn't put people off and over 30 of us met in Bermondsey Square for a pootle around London to learn about the history of two particular rivers that exist no more. The group grew and grew. By 10am we had amongst our wheel collection two trikes, a tandem and a pair of Brommies.
It was clear from the beginning that Bill had really done his research. As the day went on, I learnt heaps and rode down streets I never knew existed. The guide to the Walbrook started with two drains in a little street that was a dead end. Drains! Really. On top of that they were both filled with litter. Although, without quoting all of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, "water water everywhere" we didn't see a drop but we were at least a visible legacy of its existence, as we weaved our way through Shoreditch and on through the City, we were a sort of cycling homage to the river flow of times gone by.
Down to the Thames and over to the southside for lunch after which we picked up the story of the Neckinger. No longer visible but its name lives on in architecture - buildings originally built as industrial ones such as mills and factories, making use of the water supply.
It was a grand day out. A great group of people and a delight to see such an unusual side to the history of London. The Pub was a perfect place to end. My only regret from the day is that as I now know what a stink pipe looks like, I fear I may notice them again! And I ate too many macaroons but they were delicious.
Thank you Bill. I took some pics.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108733...&authkey=Gv1sRgCJrixOSDvYPEAw&feat=directlink
M
PS Although I was paying attention I may not have remembered everything but I did have a great day cycling!