Journeys›Photograph

Wet December Weekend Along the Thames in London

·Greater London, England, United Kingdom·#winter#travel#urban photography#architecture#london#england
A tall, pointed glass skyscraper, other buildings, and red cranes are seen over a red rooftop under an overcast sky.

Rain the whole way. The Shard still had its office lights on when I started out, and by the time I reached Tower Bridge Road the water was standing in sheets across the asphalt — vans throwing spray, a 78 bus grinding up toward the bridge past a souvenir shop with a cartoon guardsman on the sign.

Crossed Tower Bridge on foot. The bascule towers hold the rain off you for about ten seconds each, which is not enough. From the far bank the whole span sat over a brown, swollen Thames, Union Jack soaked flat against its pole.

Walked west along the river from there. The City skyline across the water was half gone into the murk — the Walkie Talkie readable, the rest just crane tips and aviation lights. Past HMS Belfast the Gherkin showed itself between two newer towers: 30 St Mary Axe, Foster + Partners, finished in 2004 on the site of the Baltic Exchange that was wrecked back in '92. Still the most recognizable thing up there even with taller glass crowding around it.

Ended at More London with the Shard disappearing into cloud somewhere above the fortieth floor.

Tower Bridge is seen down a wet city street with buildings, vehicles, and people on a rainy day.A rainy London street with a cartoon guard sign, Tower Bridge, a red bus, and buildings.Tower Bridge is seen on a wet road under an overcast sky, with people walking and a red bus visible.Foggy city skyline with several skyscrapers, construction cranes, bare trees, and a body of water in the foreground.Tower Bridge, with its stone towers and blue ironwork, spans the River Thames on a cloudy day.Tower Bridge spans a wide, muddy river under a cloudy sky, with distant buildings along the banks.Tall Shard building framed by modern glass skyscrapers, a bright street light, and a colorful tree below an overcast sky.A large warship's side and crane in the foreground, with distinct modern skyscrapers dominating the city skyline.

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