Dear Members of the Public,

As you may have realised by the website’s homepage countdown, the launch date is very fast approaching. The SA Agulhas, our expedition ship, is due to arrive in the Docklands tomorrow and then move to moor alongside the HMS Belfast on Monday. She will then set sail at around 5.30pm/6pm on Thursday, 6th December following an on-board media event during the day.

We would love it if you could join us by the riverside on the Thursday evening to wave her off.

SA Agulhas will be carrying all of the expedition equipment on-board, as well as key expedition members required for this initial leg of the journey, including our Expedition Co-Leader and Marine Advisor, Anton Bowring. The rest of the team will be watching from the HMS Belfast and amongst the public on the southern side of the river.

The best place to watch the launch of The Coldest Journey will be along The Queen’s Walk, which runs between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, in front of City Hall, and offers the perfect vantage spot to see the ship sail passed Tower Bridge, which will be raised for the occasion.

The nearest stations are as follows:

  • Tower Hill (District and Circle Lines) – and walk over Tower Bridge to the south side of the Thames.
  • Tower Gateway (DLR) – and walk over Tower Bridge to the south side of the Thames.
  • London Bridge (overland trains, Northern Line, Jubilee Line) – follow Tooley Street heading east and then take a left down Weaver’s Lane, which brings you out close to City Hall and the walkway.

There should be plenty of space for you to stretch out and find a good spot to watch the proceedings from. There are also several coffee shops in the area should you find yourselves arriving early and in need of a hot drink.

The map shown here illustrates other possible places to watch the ship’s departure, although please take into account that Tower Bridge will be open at the time of leaving.

Please do not climb on the wall along the riverside for safety’s sake and use common sense to keep yourselves out of harms’ way.

We hope you can join us to help celebrate this momentous occasion for Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

Best wishes,

The Coldest Journey Team

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