Could the River Thames Reclaim the QE2?

January 9, 2013

A new addition to the River Thames might actually be an old addition, so to speak. Currently docked in Dubai, the historically important Queen Elizabeth 2 (or QE2) could find her way to the shores of the River Thames. Will history remember her while the cruise vessel exists or is she doomed to the scrap heap; these are purported to be her two fates. To be able to once more board the QE2 on a London boat cruise must rank high enough to be on anyone’s bucket list but currently the owners based in Dubai are in talks with China to strip it down and scrap the boat altogether.

The Patriotic Plan

While the cruise vessel may have been retired almost five years ago, the threat of her being broken down for scrap has put a multi-million pound plan into motion to save the vessel and many are hoping British ministers put their weight behind it. The plan is to have the QE2 permanently dock on the Thames River with information surrounding the plan placing it across from the O2 Arena. Although attractive as a wedding boat, the QE2 will fulfil that need and many more as a luxury hotel with the placement and conditions of the River Thames perfectly suited for just such an establishment. The Mayor’s office has been informed of the plan and has been urged to throw his weight behind it; however noble the plan may be, there are real challenges to be addressed before it can set sail.

The History of the QE2

The history of the QE2 is an example of British pride and a lasting legacy to maritime achievements, so the saving of the ship from scrap is as much a symbol as it is a business investment. One can only imagine what a River Thames cruise that included the QE2 as a sight would mean to the older British generation. While the cruise ship would hardly put London on the map as it is already brimming over with rich historical culture, the QE2 ship would make a great and apt addition to the bustling metropolis contributing in no small way to the economy via tourism. The River Thames continues to be the backbone of London, but we certainly hope that it is capable of housing a British legend that is the QE2.

River Thames Getting a Clean Up Thanks to Kingston University

October 11, 2012

The River Thames is more than a river running through the middle of London; it has been dubbed the ‘Spine of London’ because it plays such an integral part of the biggest metropolis in Europe. As such it is important for the denizens of London to take pride in the history of the River Thames and its influence on their everyday lives. Unfortunately the stark truth about a river of this magnitude running through the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world is that it will unfortunately be exposed to a lot of pollution. While the River Thames activities continue and it is still beautiful enough to have wedding transfers and family cruises, beneath the surface lies an incredible amount of pollution that needs to be cleaned up.

Students Clean Up

Now Kingston University students are looking to rectify the mark pollution has made beneath the surface by diving in and digging it all out. Shopping trolleys, traffic cones, chairs and even a birdbath were some of the discarded rubbish that were brought to the surface once more by a team of student diving in. The hope was that the River Thames conditions would be improved thus making Thames boat trips and other activities slightly more pleasant for the citizens and visitors of London. The Underwater River Clean was an initiative organised by second year student Chris Elliot who also kept a blog report of the progress and events. This was no mere cruise on the River Thames; over 177 hours were spent on the cleanup effort with twenty-six students getting their proverbial hands dirty.

River Thames Cleanup

It’s difficult to locate the parts worst affected since there is no River Thames map of the most densely affected areas and so the task of eating an elephant one bite at a time was set underway. There were many local supporters of the drive which shows that facts surrounding the River Thames and its pollution are widely understood and many wish to see it changed. The students hope that they can continue their efforts to clean the River Thames and are planning another dive for the 3^rd of November.

Respecting the River Thames and Your Safety

August 20, 2012

The River Thames is the most prevalent tourist spot in London considering how large it is and many visitors will end up on its shores or even on a boat trip, but they may also let their guard down because of how unsuspecting it can be in the middle of the biggest city in the United Kingdom. However recently, what with the Olympic Games come and gone, rescue services in the capital have been extra vigilant to highlight the proper etiquette when approaching the River Thames. For kids and parents alike, visiting for Thames boat trips is supposed to be one of fun and excitement but that doesn’t mean we should take precautions or at least be aware. If one treats River Thames boat trips as one would treat any trip on a boat, there should be absolutely nothing to worry about but it can be tempting to not be vigilant because the river through the city seems completely safe – after all if one were to fall in it’s a simple case to get out right?

Well conditions on the River Thames can become less than ideal as it might on any river, especially after heavy rain. Rain alone is not enough to spoil a big day on a wedding boat, but it may make for something a little more fast-paced than your average River Thames cruise. The Walton fire station ironically is the guys who get called out when things may get hairy on the River Thames; in charge of a large portion of the map and its protection should things indeed go awry you can count on the men and women of the rescue service to save the day.

The true facts about the River Thames and how choppy conditions can get are no different to any other river in the world but in urban environments with a heavy population we tend to let our guards down because we feel that little bit safer. However we should never forget that the River Thames is first and foremost a river and a pretty big one at that.

More Olympic Games Excitement; Garcia And Johnson Tee Off On The Thames

July 27, 2012

The London 2012 Olympic Games

The London 2012 Olympic Games have officially started today and the city is teeming with spirit and excitement. To kick off, or shall I say to tee off celebrations, two heavy weight golfers, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson joined in the celebrations and teed off a floating platform in an attempt to hit a hole in one on a floating target in the River Thames in London.

Golfing Heavyweights

The golfer’s difficult swing was in celebration of golf being included for the first time in 100 years, in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. The famous golfing pair just added to the excitement that is running through the city due to the London Olympic Games and many spectators, golfing enthusiasts and people enjoying a party boat on the River Thames, cheered the golfers on. The successful golfers just finished participating in the Open tournament and tried out their sea legs and golfing skills on the iconic River Thames. Both of the golfers found the shot relatively hard with Garcia saying, ‘Courses usually don’t move this much, but it’s definitely going to be fun.’ Johnson didn’t find it all that much fun though, as he watched a number of shots bounce of the platform and into the river.

A Celebration

Although all of the logistical elements regarding golf being included in the 2016 Olympic Games are still under way, the golfing community as well as Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson are very happy about the decision. Apart from all of the other exciting happenings around London that have been entertaining Londoners and tourists alike, this was a unique way to not only get festivities under way but also a way to celebrate golf being included in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil with many people on the Tower Bridge as well on wedding boats joining in celebrations.

The Olympics Rings Travel the Thames

July 24, 2012

Taking turns to float around London’s river Thames, first the Olympic torch and now the 2012 Olympic rings have been spotted floating through the waters. A reminder of the games, which start on Friday, the giant rings were mounted on a barge and left to make a slow pilgrimage down the waterway.

The Countdown Has Begun

Londoners and tourists, out and about enjoying the weather on Thames boat trips, called in sightings of the five symbolic Olympics rings as the barge made its way to its destination.

To add to the occasion, an impressive replica of the Olympic rings was recently unveiled atop London’s iconic Tower Bridge. Part of the exciting countdown, the huge monument to this year’s game made quite the statement suspended from one of the capital city’s most iconic landmarks. Weighing a whopping three tonnes, the rings cost £259,817 to produce (without the costly installation fee).

Like a wedding boat host to pending nuptials and celebrations, the signature bands’ passage down the Thames encompassed the bubble of excitement as the clock ticks down to Friday. A promise of things to come and a floating reminder of games gone past, the large Olympics rings were mobile tributes to the athletes landing in London town and a nudge to spectators that the time has finally come.