Stage 1: Erith to Woolwich

Dear Bertie.

Today you were 15 weeks old, and it was the first day of our 'Walking the Thames' adventure - a 184 mile journey, broken into 23 stages spread over the next few months before I return to work. Stage 1 saw us head far East to Erith near Dartford, and the sun shone for our grand depart!

After using various means of transport, we arrived in Erith to bright autumn sunshine and blue skies. (Strictly speaking Crayford Ness is the mouth of the Thames, but I couldn't get a train there so here is our start!) After a quick pit stop in Costa for your second breakfast (milk) and mine (strong coffee), we headed out to join the path. 

Having never walked further than Tower Bridge, I am surprised to see how industrial it is this end of the Thames. There are no tourists, and only a few locals and workmen along the path. We see the Ford Factory where they make cars, and lots of building plants with bricks, cement, steel and some huge boats carrying building supplies going past. You are fascinated by the workmen in high vis re-surfacing the path in digging machines.

Around 13.00 you kick off, squirming and screaming rather loudly in my ear.  Feeding time! Finding a grassy spot beside the river, we set up camp for a quick feed. Some local birdwatchers are bemused by this and look the other way through their binoculars! 

We approach the end of the stage at Woolwich Arsenal, which carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. There are lots of old cannons and you sit on a big one and look bemused!

We find a cosy pub and settle into a lovely leather sofa next to a cosy fire for our lunch before taking the train/tube/ bus home in time for your bedtime!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 13.04 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3
Nappy changes: 3
Crying episodes: 1

GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37791624

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1964353405 

Logistics:
Home to Erith: 1hr 25 
0830 77 bus to Waterloo East 
0915 train to Erith (dartford)
0955 Arrive, walk to Erith shopping centre 
1000 Feed Bertie in Costa
Walk to start location = 15 minutes 
1130 start walk from Erith to Woolwich: 2 hrs 15, 11km 
1400 feed Bertie in Woolwich
1500 Woolwich to Waterloo (CX) 
1531 77 bus home or train to CLJ 
Home by 1700 for feed!

Feeding stops:

Costa in Erith - Riverwise shopping centre, 21A Town Sq, London DA8 1SE

The Dial Arch Pub in Woolwich - comfy sofas for feeding, baby change, good lunch menu: https://www.dialarch.com/