Karl Moritz, Julius Caesar and Brentford - # 08/30

Before we dive into "deepest dockland" and experience the old 1805 atmosphere we must take a look back towards Kew Bridge. Karl Moritz, our 1782 German visitor, crossed into Richmond at this point. However, it was not by ferry. My early research overlooked the fact that the first bridge was built in 1759/60 (and a new bridge came in 1790 - this was not mentioned in the information I first discovered). I always felt that Karl had not used a ferry....his description of the easy arrival in Richmond, on the regular coach service through Chiswick from central London always made me suspicious: it was too slick. At last I have found out why.

The ferryman noted the expanding traffic and built the first bridge in 1759/60. This bridge, used by Karl, actually spanned the river at the point where you can see the tip of the island. The new bridge was built where you see it now, and renewed yet again in the early 20th C.

The main channel of the river runs on the other side of the island, but you can see that Brentford was always an important crossing point. The tides fall very low here, and the Romans are believed to have used this point to ford the river in AD 51 on their march towards the Midlands.

....and here's the "strand"- # 225

I had hoped to end the week with a beautiful sunset at Strand on the Green, but computer crashes, lost photos, and the lousy, cloudy, unusual weather have conspired against me.

However, here is "the strand". I showed the high tide at the start of the series. Here is the current low tide. At the centre the water is still deep enough for traffic.

I make a guess that this helped to create Strand's development and history. Barges could come up river on a full tide, and at Strand they found an excellent place to lie flat and safe for convenient unloading/reloading. They could then carry grain and agricultural products back into London. As I said, I'm guessing, but it does make sense.

A walk through time- # 224

There's a lot to see when you look towards Kew Bridge from Strand on the Green.

The Strand settlement itself is ancient, and was always a convenient spot for shipping and crossing the river.

We can see Kew bridge, first built in 1759 and twice renewed; just beyond that, some modern offices and apartments built on cleared industrial land. The tall tower is an important Victorian water pumping and treatment site built as part of the mighty sewerage and water system of the nation's Capitol. It houses huge steam engines and is now a pumping engine museum. Beyond that we see the tower blocks of Brentford, built to replace dwellings lost during war time bombing (Brentford was an industrial area). And just beyond the tower blocks, but out of sight, are the "iconic" 1930s buildings of the "Golden Mile" described in earlier posts.

Super security for brave and bold revellers - # 221

Here's more on the flood defences at Strand on the Green; that elegant yet eccentric Thames-side community.

Questions about yesterday's steps and doorway have been answered on that post # 220.

Here, in # 221, you can see the massive door that protects the downstairs bar of the "City Barge" pub. Naturally there is also an upstairs bar well above the water line. The food is excellent, the beer is first rate, and the atmosphere superb; ideal for crafty photographers.

The City Barge claims to have been on this site, under various names since at least 1484.

Strand on the Green goes under the microscope - # 219

I've done four postings of views of this small riverside community close to Kew Bridge.

The first was taken from Kew Bridge towards Strand on the Green: http://richmonduponthamesdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/02/myths-are-perpetuated-but-camera-never.html

It's a charming and puzzling place where the houses are build right alongside the river with special raise doors to keep out floods. Here you can see the early 18th Century terraces close to the towpath, and you can see how the high tide has flooded over and made the pavement wet and totally inaccessible for a half hour or more.

This view is looking back to Kew Bridge from where I took the first photo. More will follow.

Enjoying the company of others - # 216

Around Richmond there are many excellent and very old inns that still retain many of their original oak beams and walls that are hundreds of years old.

I am trying capture the atmosphere and quality of these places, but this involves research and hard work - as you can imagine! Several repeat visits may be necessary.

Strand on the Green is an interesting riverside settlement that is also "under my microscope".

Here is my rendering of "The Bull's Head", a very old riverside pub at Strand on the Green, near Kew Bridge.