Led by our lovely guide Elaine, we had a fascinating walk around Bermondsey on Thursday 4 May. Meeting at the Southwark Spike (more properly known as the Southwark Gateway Needle) on London Bridge we set off along Tooley Street, learning about King Olaf of Norway, James Braidwood and the great fire of Tooley Street along the way. Passing through Hays Galleria we stopped to admire the steam-punkish Navigators sculpture in full watery working order before heading along the river to HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and Potters Field. We crossed Tooley Street to visit St John’s Churchyard, the Fashion and Textile Museum and Leathermarket Gardens hearing about the poverty and poor housing in the area and the efforts of Ada and Dr Alfred Salter to improve the living conditions and health of local residents as well as the importance of the leather industry and its associated trades. Who knew that our own local railway line between London Bridge and Greenwich was such a feat of engineering – built in the 1830s with a viaduct consisting of 878 arches, it is the longest run of arches in Britain! We were very lucky with the weather – the rain held off as we ducked and dived through the streets of Bermondsey. A really great walk and talk and Jenny and Elaine really appreciated our gift of tea towels in appreciation of our walks with them. We first met Jenny and Elaine in lockdown when they virtually led us through the streets of Bloomsbury and our subsequent walks through the City of London have been delightful.