Chelsea Morning

The other end of last week's walk.

So peaceful, this view from Chelsea Embankment across the river to Battersea Park, with the chimneys of Battersea Power Station in the distance.

There's a massive difference in water level - approximately 20 feet - between high and low tide on this part of the Thames. At high water the river can seem alarmingly close to overflowing its stone and concrete banks. With the ebbing tide it shrinks down into itself, and strips of foreshore emerge on both sides of the river bed, a feeding ground for birds.

The grey heron.

On the embankment the Sunday morning drivers revved their engines at the traffic lights. Blue exhaust fumes hung for a few seconds in the warm air, then dispersed.

Undisturbed, the birds continued to forage for food.