So there’s something I should tell you: I love, Love, LOVE tall sailing ships. I don’t really know anything about them. But I love them.
The Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
This isn’t something I really knew about myself until I worked in Canary Wharf and regularly saw ships moored in the docks there. I always got stupidly happy about them.
One time, there was a sailing ship from the Cuban Navy – it was there for several days and sailors could be found in uniform wandering around the local Tesco Express when I went in for my morning croissant or during lunch break. That was a major a treat… shiver me timbers!
*Ahem* Sorry. Let me recompose myself.
Aaaanyway, I blame my love of all things nautical on Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I was nine-ish when that film came out. Prince Eric was my first crush and I remember spending hours singing the songs, drawing pictures and brushing my hair with a fork/dinglehopper when my mother wasn’t watching.
This is like the view Ariel would have had of Prince Eric’s ship š
When we moved to our current flat, I was once again stupidly happy – this time because we were becoming homeowners, but also because I could see the river from our bedroom window. What amazing ships would I see heading up the Thames toward London? Well, the answer to that question is this: a few tug boats and a lot of barges. That’s it.
It’s weird. I KNOW there are plenty of fancy yachts, cruise ships and tall ships that MUST pass our house on a regular basis. They are regular fixtures in Canary Wharf and Greenwich, after all. But I never see them. Well, I never saw them until this past week – when I looked out at the river to see a lovely tall ship gliding past.
It wasn’t until Saturday that I heard about the Greenwich Tall Ships Festival, – the biggest event of its kind in London in 25 years – and at first I was worried I’d miss it entirely since we had plans on Saturday and Sunday. But then I saw somewhere that it was a four-day event – meaning I could go on Monday. Stupid happiness commenced.
This morning, I dressed Pumpkin up in her finest nautical attire (an anchor-printed dress from Mothercare, ruffle-bottom tights from Matalan and a Nuk soother with an aquarium theme) and we headed off to the regatta.
She’s turning into such a little lady!
As we walked into the town centre, you could tell all of Greenwich had gotten into the spirit of the festival. There was bunting everywhere and big crowd, considering it was Monday. We passed the Cutty Sark and I snapped a few photos (I never get tired of looking at that ship).
Can you see the excitement in her eyes?
There were a number of stalls selling souvenirs – some of which I recognised from Greenwich Market – and I also noticed a huge crowd of people standing along the riverside – but no ships that I could see.
Sailing Barge Pudge!
This sign cleared up the confusion though – there was a parade going on. All of the ships were sailing down the Thames from somewhere upstream to Woolwich Arsenal. When I looked up again through the crowd, I could see the masts of one vessel slowly moving towards us.
Since I couldn’t really see much, I decided to have a wander around the Old Royal Naval College grounds to see what else was going on (and find a better view).
We just missed the Punch and Judy show, but there was a backstage party going on and Pumpkin thought the puppets were fantastic.
There was a pirate encampment.
There’s nothing like a brass band playing Don’t Worry Be Happy.
Captain Jack Sparrow stumbled his way around the bandstand audience to find dance partners.
A big pool full of sailing ships for kids to play with (there were large fans on the side to help blow them around).
Not sure what this was (it was closed) – but I like the idea of a steampunky tin whale on wheels
One of the Books About Town benches – this one was The Railway Children.
I’ve been wanting to go hunt some more of these down – maybe an activity for another day soon!
I wish I could have gotten a better photo of this, but it’s the best I could manage – he was moving too fast. A man dressed as King Triton, riding some sort of electric-powered sea-horse and blasting the song Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid.
A ship’s mast climbing wall.
Giant lobsters – there were speakers in one of the carts playing water noises: bloop bloop.
The crowds cleared up as I walked into the next section of the college and I could finally see some sails.
The view of Canary Wharf from the Old Naval College grounds is so lovely – I think it’s the mix of old and new.
This is when the excitement got too much for Pumpkin and she decided to take a nap.
We continued on towards the other side of the campus. There were some great views from the Trafalgar Tavern, then I walked back towards the Cutty Sark again, this time along the waterfront.
Canary Wharf and the O2, with a sailing barge and another ship in the distance.
The sailing barge again and another ship.
There were a number of smaller boats that appeared to be giving visitors closer views of the ships.
Facing away from the river, towards the college, the Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory.
“All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by” –John Masefield
I was feeling pretty hungry at this point, so decided to hunt down some food. I had a particularly awful sandwich from a place called the Handmade Sandwich Company. Judging by the name, I was expecting a lovely artisan sandwich. Alas, no. It was a flavourless baguette with some uninspiring ham and a couple chunks of brie.
Since the sandwich was so disappointing, I had to make up for it with some ice cream. I chose this cart – Marshfield Ice Cream – and it was delicious!
Such a bright and happy-looking cart!
I chose two flavours: Toffee Fudge (on the bottom) and Strawberries in Clotted Cream.
Pumpkin woke up just in time for ice cream. I gave her a couple of small tastes – which she really liked – then gave her some pear slices… which she also really liked.
Pumpkin started getting a bit fussy, so I found a bit of grass, laid out the blanket and she had some tummy time.
Baby playing on grass means her hands are constantly full of grass or dead leaves that she’s trying to put in her mouth. She’s getting too quick for me!
A little boy came up and talked to us while Pumpkin was on the grass. Then he picked this daisy and gave it too her! …And so it begins… (it was sooo cute though!)
Daddy-Man decided to meet us after work, so we wandered around a little more while we waited. I got a coffee and bought a captain’s hat for him.
Pumpkin tried on the hat, but it was much too big.
When Daddy-Man arrived, he got a burger and chips – which were fairly unremarkable – and a beer from Meantime Brewing – which was very good, apparently. Then we had a bit of a wander to look around again before heading off for the train station. There was also a quick detour to the sweet shop at Greenwich Market to buy some fudge.
When we got home, I sat down and relaxed while they enjoyed some Daddy-Daughter time and modelled some hats. š
The strawberry hat arrived in the post today from Pumpkin’s granny – there’s also a matching strawberry swimming costume from M&Co. It’s adorable!
This was a really great day out – and apparently, we missed a great sunset and fireworks show later in the evening. Pumpkin was a bit on the young side to really enjoy it this time around, so let’s hope it becomes an annual event!
Added to Red Rose Mummy’s linky: What’s Happened? What’s Happening
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Added to Make Do and Push’s linky: The Week that was Captured
Lovely photos! It sounds like you had a great time! Love Pumpkin’s nautical outfit!!
Thanks for linking up to #TWTWC xx
Thank you. And thanks for the linky!
Ahhh, what a fabulous day out! I love Greenwich, it used to be one of my favourite places for a Sunday potter when I was studying in London, how lucky you are to live so close by. I love Pumpkin’s nautical outfit too. Thanks for linking up with #WHWH
Hubby and I used to go to Greenwich almost every weekend to wander around the park and eat market food. It’s definitely one of my favourite places in London!