British Isles Explorer: Tilbury, England (3/25/2022)

Thursday, March 24, 2022

A month ago, our May 2022 trip to Kiev, Ukraine was cancelled; but, no thanks to Russia for invading. We had to rebook and looked for another option. We barely had time to get ready for our subsitutute voyage on a Viking Ocean Cruise: British Isles Explorer.

Ted R kindly provided us a ride to the Philadelphia International Airport for our 22:30 direct flight to London Heathrow. Masks required.

Friday, March 25, 2022

We arrived in London at 9:40, and because Viking arranged our air transportation, they included a transfer from the airport to the ship, the Viking Venus. Apparently early in the season, the ship must dock at Tilbury, an hour's drive east along the River Thames to London. (Later they will dock at Greenwich that is much better suited for tourists.)

The Brits claim they drive on the right (as in correct)
side of the road, based on Romans driving their chariots
on the left to free the right arm to use a weapon,
if needed, against an oncoming attack

Once we completed a health survey, had our temperatures taken, provided a saliva sample for a COVID-19 test, and were given a contact tracing device to wear at all times (except in your own stateroom) we were escorted to our stateroom. Masks were required to be worn at all times (except during eating, and in your own stateroom).

View of the London International Cruise Terminal (1930)
at Tilbury, the closest deep sea cruise terminal to London

It was at this terminal that the SS Empire Windrush
brought the first generation of migrant workers from
the Caribbean in 1948, playing a now recognized
integral part in the origins of multi-cultural Britain

After lunch in the World Café (buffet style), we used our keycard to sign off the ship, and explored Tilbury.

The Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories (2020, by
Everton Wright) is an art installation using photos from
the 1948 passengers of the Empire Windrush,
placed in the very passenger walkway they used

The Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories

Heading east along the River Thames towards
a seawall protecting the Tilbury Fort

The Worlds End Pub (est late 17C in what was previously
the Ferry House, an inn for ferry passengers prior to the 1600s)

Tilbury Fort (est 1539 under Henry VIII as a D-shaped
West Tilbury blockhouse, 1670-1685 rebuilt under
Charles I, by Sir Bernard de Gomme)

It was at this site that Elizabeth I rallied her forces against the invasion of the Spanish Armada in 1588 by stating: "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm."

Water Gate of Tilbury Fort

Inside the fort from the left was a guardhouse with chapel (c 1700), two large brick
gunpowder magazines (1716-1717, to store up to 20,000 barrels for supplying
the armed forces through the 18C), and the east barracks by de Gomme (KSS)

In the foreground is an artillery gun and an anti-aircraft gun.

More guns at Tilbury Fort, probably from World War I

We next headed west, skirting around the Tilbury Docks and warehouses.

Neatly stacked containers

Here, "plant" is a large, heavy machine
or vehicle used in industry (KSS)

Ramp to a pedestrian bridge crossing over railroad tracks

Graffiti on the pedestrian bridge

St John the Baptist Church (Church of England, 1902-1904)

Terraced housing in Tilbury

The houses usually have small
walled front gardens/yards

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church (Roman Catholic,
1906-1907, by Robert Leabon Curtis in
Early English or First Pointed Gothic style)

Convent of Mercy (1909)

A more colorful garden

Cob horse

What you can see of the Viking Venus at dock in Tilbury

Next: Gravesend, England.