Monday 19th January 2026

Today we walked the section between Erith and Woolwich … and I’m going to try my best not to grumble. Another day of fine weather and a blissfully easy path – all concrete and tarmac, not a scrap of mud! Riverside all the way too so always something interesting to look at. Just not so salubrious, in fact pretty grim in parts and largely industrial.

Apart from two signposts having been turned around, nearly sending us awry (what larks)!, it all passed without incident. Oh and the fact that I left my phone on the bench where we stopped for lunch. A wonderful lady walking just behind us called out to us – I’m so incredibly grateful to her … the anguish she saved.

As we neared Woolwich the surroundings seemed to smarten up and made our stroll so much more pleasurable. At Woolwich Arsenal and by the “Assembly‘ sculpture, we found a perfect coffee stop where we sat outside and soaked up the atmosphere.

Then it was a short walk to the Woolwich tunnel which Steve had been very excited about. Took the lift down and walked the half mile under the Thames – no lift working at the other end so it was hundreds of stairs … we’d obviously gone a long way down.

And then my favourite bit – the ferry ride back to the other side … I do love a boat ride … and this one’s completely free – bonus!

Back on our side of the river, we wandered up through the streets of Woolwich and successfully located our bus stop, taking the number 99 back to Erith.

8 miles covered today which makes a total of 27 miles on this three day stint down in Kent. We could possibly be back as we still have many sections of the Thames Path to complete … and Sooty is apparently frequently looking for sitters. It’s been lovely.