my corner of london

This is the courtyard to our flat in Wapping, an area of London. There were about 50 flats or homes in this complex. We lived in one of the few one-bedroom flats. Most of the others are 2 or 3 bedroom flats. Homes in Britain are labeled differently than in the U.S.: attached (townhouse), semi-attached (duplex), or detached (house).

Tower Bridge lies directly to the southeast of the Tower of London. All of this was within a 15-20 minute leisurely walk from our flat. Tower Bridge was completed in 1894. The center of this bridge is a draw bridge that is, when raised, 135 feet (40m) high and 200 feet (60m) wide to allow the Queen’s yacht or military vessels through. This is the last section of the Thames that is available for transport by large vessels before reaching the city. The Thames is a tidal river even though it is quite far inland. It is almost always a muddy color because of this.

The Girl & the Dolphin Statue is below the Tower Bridge in a courtyard of the Tower Thistle Hotel. It is often photographed and is quite lovely to see in person. At the Albert Bridge there is a complimentary Boy and Dolphin Statue.

I would often sit on the edge of this fountain and watch boats go by, watch the Bridge be raised, and watch people and cars. It was one of those places where people-watching was fantastic.