Last days of the old Putney River Bus

This is the Putney River Bus, taking commuters into London on one of the rare sunny days this so-called spring. It will soon be a rare sight itself.

For there is a new operator taking over this route west, Thames Clipper, with their fleet of modern cats:

There will of course be benefits, with more frequent services and faster journey times.

But there will be less character, less history.

The Henley (at the top) dates back to 1896 and another of the vessels I've traveled on was one of the little ships that rescued our army at Dunkirk.

They will no doubt remain on the river for other events, sharing these famous waters with the modern upstarts, old and new together as so often happens in this great city: