Loren Brand

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Little Holland in the Isle of Dogs?

Yesterday, I looked at the map before I set out on day 5 of my photography/walking challenge in the Isle of Dogs. I was intrigued by an area I’d never been in before although I would have driven past it on the main road through the east side of the island, Manchester Road. The street names caught my attention. Amsterdam Road, Leerdam Drive, Rotterdam Drive, Van Gogh Close, Vermeer Close. My mind conjured up romantic images of a Little Holland area.

It wasn’t an image that was a million miles from the truth. The houses there are all predominantly new, mainly tall flats with Dutch style gables. But there’s a bit of variety scattered around. Some of the area is gated so that’s why I really only walked around the main streets. The only old building I saw was a converted two storey warehouse right on the riverfront, now a beautiful row of houses. Right in front of those is a private pier for residents.

One outstanding feature of this area though, is the beach, which I’ve just googled and found out is called Poppy’s Beach. It’s quite a broad sweep at low tide and there are wide stone steps leading down to it. The other Wow! feature for me is the view. Looking over to the O2, northwards to the new buildings of New Providence Wharf and just seeing the cable car as it starts its journey from North Greenwich.

I took a few photos of the area, a few more of the beach and then a short time lapse of the lights coming on over by New Providence Wharf. To see the time lapse on my YouTube channel , click here Time Lapse London - Dusk to Dark

I hope you have something good to look forward to this weekend!

Loren

The view from near Poppy’s Beach on the Isle of Dogs, East London

Poppy’s Beach, Isle of Dogs, East London

Slipway at Poppy’s Beach, Isle of Dogs, East London