Comments on: At Eel Pie Island https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:00:37 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Bailey Jones https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/#comment-1599819 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:00:37 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=200386#comment-1599819 From the east to the west
the Thames is the best.

What a great working journey Ken has had on river and dockside. A true Londoner with the river
running through his veins.

]]> By: gkbowood https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/#comment-1599817 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:36:03 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=200386#comment-1599817 This was an uplifting story! I am so happy there are still craftsman passing on the long established ways of boat building/repairing/maintaining. Thank you for another wonderful insight into ways of life previously unknown!

]]> By: Garrick https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/#comment-1599440 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:43:37 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=200386#comment-1599440 Fascinating and edifying. Thank you for these insights. I will add it to the numerous other treasures that you have brought to our attention, Ted Tanner, Thomas Fairchild spring to mind.

]]> By: Marcia Howard https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/#comment-1599333 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:09:12 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=200386#comment-1599333 What a fantastic post! I’m currently staying with a friend in Maidenhead, which was my married home for 32 years before moving away. Friend and I walked the towpath at Maidenhead and Cookham just 3 days ago, and spoke to one of the boat company’s owners en-route. Turk’s (boatyard & Swan Uppers) have gone from Maidenhead, but saw they were still in Kingston about 5 yrs ago, when again, was walking the towpath with an old school friend. I grew up in Chelsea though and stretches of the River Thames have been a big part of my life; and the Eel Pie Island music scene was very much part of my 1960’s ‘bopping’ days, along with Wimbledon Palais and the clubs in London esp. Wardour St. Lovely to see more of Eel Pie Island’s Maritime history though!!! Long may it continue. I’m very much an ageing ‘Mod’ on the outside now, although still age 17 in my head! Thank you for the memories, and now new ones. And incidentally, friends from Eton Excelsior Rowing Club escorted the Queen down the Thames on the Royal Barge during her Silver Jubilee – with me cheering them on from the banks of the River!

]]> By: Ron Wilkinson https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/08/at-eel-pie-island-i/#comment-1599302 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:53:54 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=200386#comment-1599302 Much respect, great life. I envy it.
I’m a retired (housing) carpenter in Southern California.
Sailed and surfed the coast where I live. I was not a waterman, in other words I never made a real living at it except to help friends when they hauled their boats out and did some repairs and remodels.

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