Main News So Far This Month Is That The Bromley HLF 'Parks For People' Bid Has Been Turned Down, With

It's arrived! I really hope it works, that I can work it and that etc etc...

My musings from the Cutty Sark to Greenwich North on the Memoryscape 'Dockers' Audio Trail

Today I tried out the ‘Dockers’ Memoryscape Audio Trail. Here are my journey notes:

Easy starting point – you can’t miss the Cutty Sark.

Usual warnings about safety – which I always listen to, especially because I am not sure how deserted this route will be. I have never walked it before.

Toby Butler who narrates tells you not do it at home but to be on there and walk

I am told that we will not be looking at London landmarks but rather the hidden histories...

I’ve been here before. I remember taking my bike through it. The tunnel is smelly and cold and cramped and claustrophobic and its hard to hear the recording with the loud voices in the tunnel and the lift is out of service... I didn't know though that dockers used that tunnel – and it is certainly a place where you feel there is history there though!

 I notice again that it is hard to analyse and experience at same time. It is always the same when you are studying something.

The narration reassures you that you can play things back again if you need to and that sometimes we will be simply stopping and looking.

It feels like I am in tourist territory - completely the opposite of Dockers time? Or not?

It’s a high tide – the tide is lapping loudly and the bells of naval college are heard and the somewhat unexpected smell of the sea strikes me. I am already much more aware of my senses.

As on previous trails I have tried out, again I notice that I am not listening to everything they are saying - it's key words that I pick up – and now the smell of blossom.

There is also the smell of new building ... New buildings are going up.

I think about what a strong and important word community is to me – and is something that I have always valued and been lucky to experience.

I think about my definition of community, of which I mean individuals and groups, bound together by a connection with the local park in my case – even as a visitor to the park.

I see it as a trail made with the voices of or in consultation with the local community

I always forget what side of the river I am on, or more don’t realise.

I have walked too far at this point – it is hard to follow some of the instructions and I am not sure which pier I am near, but may have been that I didn’t listen well.

I find it a mostly deserted route, but in some places a wildlife paradise with butterflies and bees and I am sure much more; but mostly a deserted string of old wharfs.

At first, I couldn't see how to get into the areas he spoke of and didn't notice all of the places, but that doesn’t matter. I am out of sync but don't want to go back! I can't go onto jetties?

The trees by the water at this point of the Thames are a surprise to me too. The sound of the water and the sun beating down. I wouldn't want to be here alone later in the day. But I'm discovering a new part of my city!

Distances are hard to judge as I have not found the public jetty that is mentioned.

I have found the jetty and the info plaque is rubbed away in places and hard to read. I do find myself looking for visual signs of industry past anyway - noticing things not necessarily mentioned on the recording.

There are mostly lone travellers and some couples. Cyclists too.

Toby is narrating the trail on the whole, with the Dockers’ voices edited in.

Something is still making a noise and looks very industrial and as I turn the corner I see lots of different sands/materials and people busy working - Victoria tunnel it says....

I notice the lichen on the wood railing... this is because I have had a small interest in lichens since a nature day a few years back.

Suddenly a new part of the walk – it is newly paved in set colours- because I am nearer the o2? The Thames path is closed off and I must follow a new smelling still tarmac path – a new part of the adventure? I hear a seagull as well as the industry building sounds - no more lapping of the waves.

It took me about an hour but had to cut it short due to the closed road, but it was enough – I might listen to the rest at home. Toby keeps repeating to stay near the river but I can't anymore in North Greenwich...

I like the juxtaposition of old and new.... Even if it is hearing old and seeing the new... I enjoy comparing and contrasting. I realise yet again that I have more listened to the flavour of what they were saying rather than what they are saying. I did feel and came away with a feeling of nostalgia and privileged to have seen the remnants of the docks still. As Toby commentates, who knows how long they will be there.

We were singing this in choir last night :) I'll miss the performance but am enjoying learning them all the same :)

#100happydays day 5 .... bit boring and predictable but today I was happy to release the fourth track of my audio trail...

One of the sound excerpts that I have started collecting!

Pretty big meteor! #museumhack

Unicorn tapestries & plants at The cloisters

Amazing visit to Brooklyn - stumbled across the boulevard and then could take a ferry up 34th st because someone gave me a map with ferry routes on just as I was thinking about ferries - yay :)

New volcanoes and earthquakes gallery at the natural history museum! Only got a quick look today at work but looked interesting and as if it might be quite holistic in its approach (for want of a better word!)

Who wouldn't want to take a bus to Pleasantville? Just so long as or isn't a Sunday... I came to upper state new York instead though for the big day tomorrow :)