I found that they had a store near my childhood stomping ground, and I decided to combine a visit to the store with a little exploration.
I was too late in the summer to find the sandals. But I managed to pass one of the few bits left of the naval history of Deptford, which is on the Thames. These are the gates of the old Royal Naval Victualling Yard.
St Nicholas' Church is a really ugly late 19th Century brick building, but the old tower remains. The top was apparently destroyed by a gale in 1901 and rebuilt in 1903 (only the old base is visible in this picture).
The only other thing of note is this marble plaque in the churchyard. It's as close as I can get to my current literary hero. I couldn't help thinking that a quote from Dr Faustus was not necessarily very apt in a churchyard!
I couldn't find a way to get down to where the statue of Peter The Great of Russia is. So many streets are dead ends now, or the way to the river bank is blocked by building works. But the thing that upset me most was the fact that they are building new flats by what they are calling Greenwich Creek. IT'S DEPTFORD CREEK! Bad enough that part of Deptford got transferred across into Greenwich, but to rename this historic waterway (OK, so most of it is really yucky) so that it might sound more appealing to Yuppies is a step too far. I hope they all get stuck behind the opening of the swing bridge across the Creek every day of their lives.
Going back to the old neighborhood or childhood home is always somewhat bittersweet. Seeing how things have changed, for good or not, is always a bit jarring.
ReplyDeletefunny, your shoes took you to interesting places.
ReplyDeletei love Christopher "KIT" Marlowe!
I HATE dead-end streets!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that. Sorry to hear your sandals are out of season in shops. Being from Hawaii I've always found things being put away for the season to be odd. LOL But I'm getting used to it and don't expect to find any nice swim wear in August anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love your screencaps, but I love these slices of life you give us more.
ReplyDeleteVery cool trek you took. Thanks for sharing.