I love the feeling of being on holiday without really leaving home – when a short trip makes you feel like you’ve travelled miles. That’s exactly how I felt a couple of weekends ago after spending the day exploring Greenwich. I even had the chance to take the cable car from North Greenwich to Custom House and back again, admiring the Thames from above – suspended in the sky, with the city stretching out beneath me. It was such an enjoyable day out that I wanted to share a few snapshots and impressions from my little local adventure…
There’s something quietly poetic about seeing the Thames from a bird’s-eye view – especially given my recent return to writing poetry. As you might expect, considering my vampiric complexion, I’m not exactly a lover of bright sunshine hence I welcomed the cloudy skies that day. In the photo I took from the cable car, and the one below of the Cutty Sark, I think the overcast weather adds an atmospheric depth – making it easier to imagine the turmoil of life at sea and the risks involved. Particularly in the image of the Cutty Sark, the impending storm evokes visions of sailors battling the elements under heavy skies.
After my cable car ride, I took a short bus journey to the National Maritime Museum and continued my exploration from there. The Cutty Sark, docked permanently and now elevated as part of its restoration, is breathtaking in scale. As you approach, it looms before you, simultaneously elegant and imposing – a testament to the history of sailing and the tea trade of Victorian Britain of which it upholds.
Standing on deck, I was struck by the intricacy of the ship’s design – the masts, the sails, and the complex knots used to hold the structure in place. In another of my favourite photos from the day, the stormy clouds frame the masts perfectly, adding to the feeling of anticipation, as though the ship might set sail at any moment.
The story behind the name Cutty Sark is as curious as the ship itself. The original owner, Jock Willis, chose the name, along with the ship’s motto, “Where there’s a Willis, there’s a way.” The term cutty sark comes from old Scottish vernacular, meaning “short nightdress,” a reference made famous by Robert Burns in his poem Tam O’Shanter. Why Willis chose this name remains something of a mystery, though it’s believed to be a patriotic nod to the ship’s Scottish origins as it was built in Dumbarton in 1869.
Inside the ship, the scent of tea fills the air – a nod to the vessel’s purpose as a tea clipper for the China trade. I won’t share too many interior shots, as it’s truly worth visiting in person to appreciate the craftsmanship and restoration work. But I’ve included one photo from below deck that I think captures the grandeur and historical weight of the space.
Thank you for reading this brief snapshot of a cultural day out in Greenwich. There is a sense so profound when standing on the deck of an old ship or gliding over the Thames that puts life into perspective. I left feeling both grounded and uplifted, a perfect balance. I hope this post inspires you to find a little wonder close to home!
Logan Darkwoods 