July 2026

Well, a very interesting day. Having got the train to Kew Bridge we had a short walk to the museum where we were greeted by our guide. Our tour explained some of the history of both the fresh water system in London and the "dirty" water management (or lack of) which led to disease and the great stink.

One of the solutions was to pump in fresh water and, where it had to be extracted from the Thames, to filter it. The pumping engines we saw, most of which had worked at Kew, were impressive mechanical beasts. How, with only manpower, they managed to manufacturer and transport the cast iron flywheels, the cylinders and the pumping beams is just amazing.

After the tour there was time to revisit some of the exhibits before off to a local pub for lunch which was very good.

And so we planned a leisurly train journey which was going to take us on the Windrush line from Clapham to Whitechapel, but a tree had other ideas. We boarded our SW train at Kew Bridge and relaxed in the air conditioned carraige but then the first announcement. A incident at Barnes, we were going to be delayed. Then it emerged that there was a tree on the line and after quite a while the train was cancelled.

And so off for another exploration getting the bus to Hammersmith, then the underground to Paddington before the Elizabeth Line back to Brentwood. It was an experience and we all kept each other's spirits up.