retiredmartin

February 2024. Crossness. Thamesmead.

You left us having walked the mile from Abbey Wood through Thamesmead to the entrance to Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, where we joined a gaggle of other visitors suddenly worried we were lost and would miss our slot at one of the occasional tours of the old pumping station.

A little steam train,

with Mrs RM’s name on it,

carried us the 400 yards to the riverside entrance to the Grade I listed station, unused in 70 years.

We then waited half an hour for the people who had got lost to turn up, amusing ourself with a rather interesting exhibition on the history of toilets (not as good as Stoke, Jane), cholera and “The Big Stink” of 1858.

The most remarkable aspect of the day wasn’t even the buildings themselves. Having just ridden the underground out from the City and noted everyone (bar us) was under 30, here the staff (OK, probably volunteers) all seemed over 70.

Clearly once you reach retirement age in Thamesmead you come out to Crossness to operate lathes, paint engines and unwrap your sandwiches underneath a steam railway calendar.

After an exceptional talk about London sewage (really) Mrs RM donned her hard hat and we got to explore the Octagon,

one of the most gorgeous buildings on earth.

Yes, there’s your Old Boy on a never-ending repainting job.

Crossness is, apparently, in high demand as a TV and film set, though possibly more for Dr Who than Corrie.

Absolutely wonderful. As always, for the best pics, consult Mrs RM’s Facebook page.