Fragments of the River Thames

After walking and visiting the watercourses of the River Westbourne, the River Tyburn, and the River Fleet, I concluded the collection of 'Fragments' at the Thames foreshore located in front of the Tate Modern.

Before visiting any Thames foreshore, we need to understand the rules and health and safety precautions. So, I read https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/thames-beaches-where-they-are-and-how-to-visit and https://www.mola.org.uk/get-involved/thames-discovery-programme/visiting-foreshore to avoid accidents and infection.

If you are considering visiting the foreshore, please research first, assess the risk, and decide whether you will go. Port of London Authority warns, 'Anyone accessing the foreshore does so at their own risk. Individuals must take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of anyone with them.'.

The River Thames foreshore

I walked down the stairs that led to the foreshore. It was Friday afternoon, and the weather was beautiful. So, the area was packed with tourists, visitors, and pub goers. From the foreshore, I could hear the muffled sound of music, glass clicking, and people's laughter and conversations.

View from the foreshore, St Paul's Cathedral on the north side of the river, and remains of an old structure

Date: 11 April 2025

Time: 16:59 - 17:45

Weather: 21°C Sunny

Conversations: I managed to catch a few fragments of conversations from other foreshore visitors and pub goers above, among the sound of waves and running ferries.

• A bit tied up...

• Oh, you are always like that.

• Hahaha!

• I don't know how far...

• Wow!

• I'm ahead now.

• I mean...

• It's a clam.

• I know, I know...

• Mum, guess what I found!

Sounds:

The Thames foreshore below the pub

0:00

Objects found:

Pieces of old bones, ceramics, glass, driftwood, shells, and coal probably travelled in the river for some time.

The collection at the foreshore was quite a different experience from other locations, as I actually saw the river flowing and stood by the water. Hearing the ebbs and flows of waves calmed and relaxed me. The objects I collected on the foreshore's surface were unique, and each piece shows a sense of time, some short and some quite some time, and carries the memories of each object.

The fragments of the River Thames made me reflect on the history of London, my life somehow ended up in London now, and the flow of memories and life.

This concludes the records of walking and collecting objects along the hidden rivers. Thanks for following my walking journey!