I do hope you enjoy seeing the metamorphosis and whatever your views on these developments, it gives you a window into this Olympic world in inner London.
Sunday March 21st 2010
Abbey Mills
A cycle ride down the Lower Lea Valley from the Olympic stadium. This was somewhat of a West Ham United (Thames Ironworks FC) historical trail passing the site of the club's first purpose built stadium along the Greenway (in 1897), to the team's origins at the Thames Iron Works at Lea Mouth. The cycle ride was in the company of my good friend Mike Davis. This was perhaps a salutary route in the light of recent discussions examining West Ham United's prospects of using the Olympic Stadium after 2012.
(Photos and video footage by P.M.Burgess unless stated)
Thursday March 11th 2010
A cycle ride with friend Steve to include a complete circumnavigation of the Olympic Park with later visits to the ancient Three Mills, Bow Locks and London's only lighthouse down at Bow Creek.
(Photos and video footage by P.M.Burgess unless stated)
Sunday November 22nd 2009
A November walk with a friend over from the USA gave another chance to see the most recent changes to the Olympic stadium. Much of the infrastructure is well in place with a new river crossing, the aquatics centre and the International train station in place. The most obvious addition for visitors is a new cafe and viewing platform at the Marshgate Lane end of the NOSE - a very welcome addition for those seeking refreshment.
(Photos and video footage by P.M.Burgess unless stated)
Sunday 19th April 2009
Urban art
A latest walk into the Olympic Park to witness changes to the Greenway itself. Fencing restricts access at the moment, but building work continues on the Accreditation area and warm up areas in Pudding Mill Lane and the magnificent swimming pool structure is going up fast. I plan to walk into the park itself on a guided walk soon in September, so check back then.
Today's walk map:
Walk Route
Sixteen weeks have passed since my last visit to the Olympic Park. Not only was this deliberate in order to see real change, but my schedule had left little time to visit. However, it is amazing to see the transformation in four short months. The stadium is now well and truly up and other buildings are in the fold. With work starting on the media centre, the electricity pylons and cabling has gone and Stratford City's new shopping centre (Westfield) is now on the skyline. Perhaps the credit crunch has come at the wrong time but with some enthusiasm it looks like this one is working. It's easy to put something down, but now we've got it we should make the most of it. Instead of following the media band wagon of negativity it's about time to see the plus sides of this development. Having lived up the road for 16 years and driven and cycled to work down this part of the Lower Lee Valley for years, the transformation is amazing. What do you think?
My next outings will include some footage of Stratford and I plan to visit some locations in the north and east of the park. I will see how I get on but encourage you to revisit in a week or two (mid May, 2009).
Fly-through of the Olympic Park with John Armitt:
Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chairman John Armitt presents a fly-through of the London 2012 Olympic Park where he points out key venues including the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre, discussing progress being made on the site.
Sunday 8th December 2008After a few weeks without a visit to the Olympic Park, a visit to a friend's and an outing for lunch meant an opportunity to wander up to the site of the Olympic Stadium. With good weather recently, contractors seem to be getting on well and the stantions for some some of the tiered seating are now in place. The walk around today included the Hertford Canal as well as the usual haunt on the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOSE)
Wednesday 3rd September 2008A rather delayed publication of this section which includes an early morning observation of activity at the stadium site with workers clocking in for duty. Some places visited here were new to me and include the stretch of the City Mill River from Stratford High Street to the Northern Outfall Sewer as well as a cycle along the Bow Back River which connects the two easterly sections of waterway with the Lee to the west. This was an interesting outing especially with the contrast between the natural aspects of the environment and that most obviously urban. London never ceases to surprise me!
Monday 25th August 2008Today the GB Olympic Team returned from China with a haul of 42 medals. We decided on a walk along the Northern Outfall Sewer to observe the development at the site there. Eight massive cranes now ply the sky there and the lower tier of the stadium is well on its way with concrete footings now in place. Other pieces of infrastructure such as the aquatics centre are also in evidence.
Saturday 28th June 2008This is the third recorded outing into the Olympic Park. Today's presentation includes Carpenters' Road, Wharton Road and Bridgewater Road on the bridge over the Waterworks River. After examining a newly constructed road, I finished the outing with a return to the Bow Flyover at the junction of the River Lee Navigation and the Bow Back River.
Saturday 14th June 2008
(Photos and video footage by P.M.Burgess unless stated)
Send Peter email 
I am gradually witnessing the metamorphosis in the developments at the London Olympic site in Stratford, London. Although not walking related, I envisage updating this 'diary' as time goes by so that visitors can witness the development as it progresses. As a delegate at the 117th IOC in Singapore I was proud to be part of London's winning bid, and despite controversy over the location of the development, I am proud to see London establish a world class sporting venue. I also live in Newham which is one of the host borough's and location for the main Olympic stdaium. 
