River

The Thames is the Memory of London. Away from the noise and energy of the South Bank it flows slowly and deliberately, touching small canals and crevasses, accumulating debris and secrets along the way. It looks like it makes no noise, though if you observe closely you can see that below the surface currents and mud run deep and with the impetus of things that have existed for a long time.

It looks like it does not follow a clear path, though if you fly over it you realise from its shape that it's the heart beat of the city. The Thames changes personality as it cuts through the city. It is austere and lonely in the derelict areas of the East end; it is lively and full of gravitas in the South Bank where it reflects like an opaque mirror all the things that London is known for ; it then changes again when it goes West becoming almost more anonymous, matter of fact like, and it surprises you every time you see it emerging from the rest of city.

In the last 10 years I have been by the Thames many times, but the memories that come to mind are dancing on a party boat when I was a 19 year old student, looking outside of the windows and thinking how beautiful the Big Ben was; celebrating the Millennium by the Houses of Parliament; walking near Waterloo on crisps winter nights on my way to see 'The Year in Pictures" 2005, the fairy lights hugging the trees in a blue embrace; the lights of St Paul from the restaurant on top of the Tate Modern (one of my favourites in the city); running from Chesick Bridge to Putney Bridge and back - during my London Marathon training; conjuring life changes whilst having solitary walks in Southwark; drinking beer after my management school on that 7 July, trying to take in the full extent of the drama; sipping Pimm's whilst waiting for summer to really come; walking to Waterloo on the morning of the 17 August 2009 thinking that the Thames is the Memory of London.


/* If you have any top tips on things to do and see by the Thames feel free to comment and add!*/