MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS HAMMERSMITH...

 It's a lesser known fact that The Miss Elaineous used to live in Hammersmith.  

Yes, for seven years I resided here so, after visiting the Ideal Home Show in nearby Olympia, I took the opportunity to take a memory-inducing gawp.

My apartment in Latymer Court was on the second floor, and all the windows faced one way, which made the flat ridiculously hot in the summer.  (I remember that during the summer of 2003 it was so hot that the cold taps actually ran warm!)

To the left of the drainpipe was my bedroom.  Then, to the right are the windows to the bathroom, spare room and living room, with the kitchen window just visible in the recess.  A neighbour's kitchen window was right next to it (the flats are certainly packed in) and we did have problems with blockages, as this particular bunch of fools liked to shove food waste down their sink.

I did go inside and walk right up to my old door and take a photo, but as the place is no longer mine, I'll keep that to myself...

I then went for a wander down to the River Thames.

Hammersmith Bridge is my favourite London bridge, was the first suspension bridge to be built over this river and dates back to 1827, but it is looking rather injured.   This photo was taken at the Hammersmith (north) end of the bridge.

The bridge has been targeted by the Irish Republican Army three times:- 

1939, when Chiswick hairdresser Maurice Childs was crossing the bridge on his way home when he noticed smoke and sparks coming from a suitcase on the walkway.  He tossed it into the river and the resulting explosion caused a 60 ft (18 metre) high jet of water.  He was later awarded the MBE for his quick thinking.  A second device detonated moments later, causing the windows in nearby houses to shatter, and some girders on the west side to collapse.

1996, when two big Semtex devices (the largest Semtex bomb ever found in Britain at the time) were discovered on the Barnes (south) side of the bridge.  The detonators were activated but the bomb failed to ignite.

2000, when the bridge was damaged by a Real IRA bomb, again on the Barnes side, resulting in its closure for two years.

Hammersmith Bridge has suffered from additional structural problems over the years; so sometimes cars were allowed over it, sometimes buses only and sometimes nothing at all.  It was simply not designed to take the volume of traffic now common to London.

Looking upstream to Putney, and this photo shows the mudflat of a beach...

The Boat Race starts from Putney Bridge, which is the next bridge up, and passes underneath Hammersmith Bridge.  I've seen the Boat Race start and, to be honest, there's nothing much to see!

I like the narrow steps leading up to the walkway...

Poor, sick Hammersmith Bridge from the Barnes end.

It was closed to motor vehicles in April 2019 after cracks were discovered in the bridge's pedestals, with this closure later extended to bicycles and pedestrians.

Limited usage resumed in July 2021, and there is a one-way system in place (which people were breaking).

I still think it's a majestic, beautiful old bridge...

River view glancing across and downstream...

A seagull minding his own business, along with the obligatory river junk; such as a traffic cone and a chair...

Skullduggery?!😁

Nope, this type of boat is spelt "scull."  There are many boating clubs situated along the banks of this section of the Thames, and these scullers were rowing towards Chiswick.

 

Looking over Lower Mall...

The Blue Anchor features in the end credits of 1980s favourite television series Minder, featuring George Cole and Dennis Waterman.  In the film Sliding Doors it's where Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow's character) gets involved in some post-rowing celebrations.

It was hosting a private function on this day, but when it's open to the public it's truly relaxing, weather permitting, to sit outside with a pint...  

I've also frequented this hostelry, the Rutland Arms...

This scene often features in noughties television drama series New Tricks, featuring Amanda Burton and (again) Dennis Waterman, when the team of detectives indulge in their after-work drinks...

I took this photo of an amputated tree over in Barnes just because I liked its artistic value.  It reminds me of a photo I took during my art foundation course, which I presented and named "Stark."

It looks like it's growing out of a bin, when it's not!  The square thing is on this side of the water, and I believe it's the end of a jetty.

Looking along the largest jetty...

Jetty view over the silt beach...

I've interspersed my original photos with some taken well over two years later, when I visited on a mild November day, blowing away the cobwebs with a river walk.  As you can see, the tide is much higher on this day.

You can see the sign for The Dove (yep, it's another Hammersmith pub I've frequented!😉)  I've sat here before of a balmy evening on their upstairs terrace, watching the flight path of planes make their way towards Heathrow.  I've even seen Concorde (and certainly heard it) begin its descent.  Incidentally, Concorde crashed on my birthday...

The SuperDean had to get his big, fat swede into the shot, so just for that it gets included in this blog...

The pub dates from the early 18th century, and the front bar is the smallest public bar in the United Kingdom.

Historical figures associated with this riverside pub include William Morris, Graham Greene, Earnest Hemingway and Dylan Thomas.  The words for the 1740 song Rule, Britannia! are said to have been written here by James Thomson. 

The Old Ship is a building which is thought to date back to the reign of Charles I (r. 1625-1649), and apparently retains its porch from that time, although it was rebuilt in its present form around 1850.

Yes, I've drunk in here too (I do remember some rather sharp chilli vodka) and saw a household name in the shape of Ralph Little, famous at the time for playing character Antony Royle in sitcom The Royle Family.  I didn't notice him (celebrity and fame do not impress me, so I don't go looking for "slebs") but my friend did and pointed him out. 

Chiswick Eyot is a tree and reed covered island in the Thames, visible here...

Just past this area are the cute Bell Steps, which are often also called the Black Lion Stairs, heading right down into the water.  They're handy if you live next door and own a boat!

 The Black Lion and (surprise surprise!) I've drunk in here, too!  Apparently, it has a bowling alley inside, but I don't remember it.  The pub is said to be haunted by "the Hammersmith ghost" who's lurked in this area since 1803.  He's a spectral, white-clad figure who's said to hang around the local churchyard springing out at women.  

Heading towards Chiswick Mall, and this cute vintage Fiat 500 sits outside Mari's Deli & Dining; an Italian restaurant. 

The tall pipe you can see is a stink pipe.  They were installed during the Victorian era, and their purpose is to release noxious gases from the sewers down below!

 They were invented after the Great Stink of London, which occured in 1858, when the Thames was filled with waste that fermented in hot weather.  Yuk!  After that designer and engineer Joseph Bazalgette was commissioned to build a new sewage system network throughout London.

The houses in Chiswick Mall have gardens which sit over the road.  I've seen this area totally flooded when the Thames has burst its banks, with water as high as the centre of the road. 

Looking through someone's garden to Chiswick Eyot.  I'm not sure I'd want a house with a separate garden, or indeed to live on a road so prone to flooding. 

I have to say, I got a real feeling of loneliness as I progressed back along Upper Mall.  Mind you, a ladybird landed on my sunglasses and they're supposed to bring wealth and luck. I hope so!♥️

Kelmscott House was the home of socialist designer William Morris (1834-1896) for the last 18 years of his life.  It's along Upper Mall, and now houses the William Morris Society, which aims to perpetuate his memory.  Unfortunately the building was temporarily closed due to flood damage.

I love this building next door, and would adore a flat with one (or more) of those eye-catching crescent balconies.  I could frequent The Dove, which is only separated from it by an alleyway, and not have to worry with regard to how I'm getting home...

Beautiful roof of blossom outside St Paul's church...

Hammersmith Broadway, which also features in the end credits to Minder.

This is the Rik Mayall Memorial Bench, which sits on an island near Hammersmith Broadway (quite an absurd palace for a seat!)  The original bench featured in the opening credits of Bottom, the humorous TV series which starred Mayall (1958-2014) and Adrian Edmondson.

Do I miss living in Hammersmith?  I don't think so.  Like anywhere, it had its positives and it had its negatives.

But it's easy to pop to on the train (albeit for a lengthy, over-an-hour-long journey) and I do intend to go to Hogarth's House and Chiswick House & Gardens when I can (and I'm certain I'll have a "why couldn't I have done this when I lived nearby?" moment!)

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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