Mudlarking the River Thames with Nicola White

Join me as I search the River Thames and Thames Estuary mud for fragments of the past - then back to Tideline Studio to learn a little more about them.
On this video I search for objects in the mud of London and then head out to the Thames Estuary which is a favourite place of mine. I absolutely love the wilderness of the Estuary and the space. It is also extremely historically interesting.
You can find a link to one of my favourite walks on the Estuary here:-
www.estuaryfest...
You do need a permit to mudlark on the River Thames and you can find the details here on the website of the Port of London Authority:-
www.pla.co.uk/...
You never know what you will find in the mud of the River Thames. It really is Liquid History!
Thank you for watching. You can follow me on instagram and twitter @tidelineart
My website is www.tidelineart.com
And you can find my artwork on my etsy site
www.tidelineart...
See you soon.
Nicola
Nicola White
June 2019
www.tidelineart.com

[@gloriastroedecke2717]

I like how seemingly unconnected items actually do have a connection after all. Thank you for another good lark.

[@garyg8425]

Anyone else hit the thumbs up before watching? Great video and history lessons!

[@scarfskerry]

Snap

[@limmoblack]

There's always 4 or so thumbs down as soon as Nicola posts, which is a bit bewildering

[@brianmasters1125]

@@limmoblack Could be her jealous rivals?

[@kathyrobinson9959]

Good morning. Greetings from Northern California! Your videos are so relaxing and interesting. Love that you include the birds and the surrounding landscape along with the history. Many thanks Nicola!

[@outdoorinfluencer]

Really enjoyed your video Thumbs up.

[@joec.9591]

Your videos never fail to entertain, fascinate, enlighten, and relax. I look forward to every on of them!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Looked like Barbie has had one hell of a night out! Loved the marble, how perfect the lines, they must have mounted it in a spinning device to paint those perfect lines. From sinning to spinning, hair thinning to 4 inch pinning, your video had me grinning. Thanks Nic.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Ha ha love that comment x

[@darkraven4211]

Dear Nicola, what a remarkable video. I love how you made the transition to the estuary. The bit on Charles Dickens is genius. Thank you so much for creating a beautiful world and narrative. Poppet

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Poppet xx

[@progwolf12]

Magical! You take us on a enthralling journey with the smallest of finds and the stories behind them.

[@joeljeffery8704]

I also think the mystery object is a swizzle stick for stirring drinks. But then again it could be used with a pipe. Really enjoyed your video. Nothing better than than finding lost objects that are treasures for your creativity. So much history one item can reveal. Thanks much for bringing me along and be safe.

[@vilstef6988]

Thanks, Nic. I look forward to Sunday mornings for you new mudlarking vlogs.

[@maliciamalice1931]

Hello beautiful spoon with nice pattern 👍😁😁Thanks and good day end

[@65bugnut]

Wonderful video Nicola, thank you for taking us along.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you x

[@aropals672]

Always fantastic finds with interesting stories behind them. Thank you

[@billaverill7097]

This was an extraordinarily fine video. What made it special for me was the amount of time that you must have spent doing research and traveling to make this interesting story. Once again I appreciate the mudlarking followed by the explanations and history of your wonderful finds.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Bill x

[@debrabrooks6138]

Such wonderful finds and history! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful areas! ☺

[@TheFPF422]

Since I stumbled on your channel I discovered another activity I would have loved to do if I hadn’t had my car crash and became handicapped. Your videos are mesmerizing and informative... a perfect mix, if you ask me. I also love your “workshop” as it’s my kind of decorating my living space 😉 My very best wishes, for your new expeditions and in general 🖖

[@peterfairway2820]

Hi Nicola. Another great video. Also I like the way you find all about the items you find. Think the pin might be some kind of hat pin. Look forward to the next video. Take care.👍😀

[@StonedustandStardust]

I really enjoyed the interesting finds and of course the history lesson. Funny about thing about the wigs, I am reading Anne Proulx's novel, Barkskins, about the colonization of Canada. In it, a man works his way from poverty to vast wealth in the timber industry, and, on his journey, goes to paris ( early 18th c) and has a wig made for himself. So I was delighted to hear more about the fashion of wigs. A pleasure, as always, Nicola.

[@progwolf12]

Lovely surprise seeing you on TV this week..... one step closer to your own programme one day soon.

[@rontesh6244]

I'm in the hospital again for heart problems, I enjoy your videos so much. Makes me feel better 😉

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Get better soon Ron! lots of love xx

[@neildudley5446]

I always look forward to watching your videos, Nicola. I love the bits of history that you add as well. Well done.

[@UrbanDKaye]

Love the stories behind these objects. Yes the marble is most likely German-made, hand-painted clay from the 1800s. I've not yet found one, but have seen seen other diggers find them occasionally. Cheers.

[@stevenashby8268]

Hi Nicola, I've just discovered your vlog. I lived in Higham, School la. My mum worked at Gadshill Place and i used to go there with her, i remember the kitchen and having rides in the Dumb Waiter, i have many happy memories of the people and times there. I used to spend many summer holidays down on the marshes, especially St Marys on the Marsh, the graveyard is the place Pip met the Criminal in Great Expectations. Happy times!!.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Hi Steven. How wonderful. I love the area around Higham. What great memories you have too. I love St Marys and Egypt Bay. Have you been there. You can just absorb the history of that place. x

[@stevenashby8268]

@@nicolawhitemudlark Hi Nicolas, yes I love the area, did you know that St Marys is famous for its brasses, I used to go there with my class from Higham County Primary School armed with wall lining paper ( my dad was a decorator ) and crayons and shared them around and we would do rubbings and gave them as gifts to our mums. Such lovely days. I will return one day just to see how it is and remenis about those wonderful innocent days.

[@hiddengemali8262]

Really enjoyed your clever editing and of course you wonderful finds . perhaps the W R referees to the western railway maybe . I loved the spoon , and what a shame it wasn’t marked . When did they start marking spoons I wonder ?

[@Theoobovril]

The item at 5:26 is a style of hat pin used to keep a soft fabric hat fixed to a ladies hair/head. A ceremonial soft based coronet head piece would have used this style of ornate pin to keep the coronet affixed to the Lady wearers head, this pin could easily be 300 or more hundred years old.

[@mojoden]

It's a long shot, but you can find a similar shaped tool in a modern manicure set to be used for - wait for it - - - 'the removal of earwax'.

[@patifagan6774]

I love the ball

[@pjfoltz8810]

I really wish I could go mudlarking with you! I ordered some pipe stems from you, cannot wait to get a box of history!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Nicola. I wonder if your spoon and swizzle stick are silver? Hope you have a great week. Thanks again.

[@VannaWhiteboard]

The ring looks like it could be carnelian. The brass stick might be the skewer for a hair bun cage.

[@andyparsons6293]

Last week (Sept 2020) on the shores of a quiet sea loch on the west coast of Scotland, I found a narrow blue wheel and bracket that looks very much like it could have come off of a supermarket trolly. I'd never seen one this colour before (or at least I hadn't noticed any) but what do I see today at 1:45 on the foreshore in 2019 London?

[@FrozenViking110]

Love your vids! Is there anywhere where you list what camera you use? It must be water/mud proof!

[@robinfereday6562]

Uri Geller stirred his tea with the spoon

[@seasidesandles]

Nichola, a lot of people now watch KZbin on TV. So when you say you don't know what an object is but please comment below, they (including me) don't see those comments on our TVs. It would be great to see you make an occasional video answering those older questions?

[@BB-ni8vx]

Ring is probably from the 40s, 50s, 60s, or 80s, it that’s because I have similar jewelry

[@randysmith8979]

Twisted brass rod looks like an oiler, dipped in oil when only a drop or two are needed.

[@imcavdb5465]

It's an Uri Geller spoon 😁

[@missisle7375]

St James trivia.....it was reconsecrated in order for Jools Holland to marry there. He lives around the corner at Cooling Castle.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

great info. Thank you!

[@dumbodick]

Lovely vid as always

[@scarabvoodoo]

Could it be a snuff spoon?

[@giantrotatingcarrot]

The long twisted piece with the small knob at one end and flat on the other looks like something one might stir their cocktail with.

[@johnricheson8465]

Awesome finds Nicola! The Thames must be a great area to find old relics!👍😁 My personal favorite was the wig curler.☺️

[@shhhhquitethyme]

Swizzle stick?

[@nolanbrown9200]

I've also seen a lot of hat pins that look like this as well while looking through old antique shops. They usually have pointed ends but a few have more of that blunt end

[@slydoll7877]

@@nolanbrown9200 How would one skewer one's hat with a blunt pin? Hat fabric is thick...

[@andy1056]

SlyDoll7, straw hat?

[@dougzirkle5951]

I like all your videos. However, I particularly like the ones where you go down a rabbit hole! Everything you find has a story worth searching for.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Doug. I shall go down more rabbit holes I think!

[@dougzirkle5951]

Great news to my ears...thank you!

[@marcb1779]

Thanks for another great day on the Thames. Mystery item looks like it would be used with the pipes you find, scraping out bowl, and ball for packing down tobacco. Love your creative art, keep up the great work. Marc

[@dianajusselin3298]

Nicol what a find. The history of Charles Dickens quite exdorenary. The history makes your finds awesome. I couldn’t have found your finds. You did a Great job thank you for bringing all of us to the estuary. God Bless.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you x

[@artist6135]

Wow!! Great finds!! I love it when you give us a visual history of your finds. The Dickens connections in the 2 pieces and the church...awesome!!!! Thank you for the great video!!!

[@robertsimmons1264]

Twisted pin thingy maybe a swizzle stick.

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Absolutely

[@Kitty-wb1kf]

I agree.

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

I thought the exact same thing....

[@shelaghjackson9577]

Definitely.🍹

[@scotthart5617]

It looks like a nut pick to me.

[@crouchingjaguar]

I think the brass tool you found with a twist was and ear wax scraper. The ring is modern. It's cheap jade. I love your videos especially the coins. I collect them and find them facinating. I love the Georgian pennies.

[@nancycowan6109]

I could watch and listen and learn all day long. Thank you. ❤️

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Nancy x

[@james5460]

Looks very rainy. I loved Great Expectations, apparently, it was serialized by Dickens in one of the newspapers during the 1850s or 1860s and people went wild waiting for each new chapter. Kind of weird seeing an actual place from it. The times we had, eh, Pip?

[@HollerboyHellbilly]

The twisted metal piece looks like it is from a classic metal spinning top toy.

[@mikepalermo6568]

Yessssss

[@petermorris2944]

Good answer

[@catherinefall2696]

I thought the same

[@ddoyle11]

What a wonderful repository of human history is the Thames River! Just imagine over the last 1000 years how many articles both mundane and fabulous have found their way into that mud.

[@bobkins270]

What I always find interesting is not the object, but the history behind the object. It was touched,held, used, by someone 200 years ago. When I find a button off a civil war uniform, I wonder about the soldier who wore that uniform. That’s the excitement for me. The real treasure. Greetings from across the pond. Brad

[@wilcovanderben1236]

Hi Nicole, we also find objects like that in Holland. These were put here for the cleaning of your pipe (flat side) and tobacco in the pipe with the convex side. We also have something similar to clean your ears with. Greetings Wilco.

[@tinman5660]

Love the history explained with each piece found.

[@abdelhak3809]

Hello from Morocco; Great job and very interesting. It's full of historical hidden stories !! My favourite pieces, I would say, are the bended spoon and the pin-type object with curved and flat end. I saw the same findings on other videos !! Were the banks of Thames river knowen by those artists who used to perform "stage magic" showing their psychokinetic abilities to bend spoons and other metalic clutter by mental powers ?? Believe it or not, I imagine Charles Dikkens attending these ceremonies and smooking one of these clay pipes that you found. Thank you with best regards. 🤗🤗

[@AtheistOrphan]

‘Who would bend a spoon like that?’ - Yuri Geller?

[@graytart]

Atheist Orphan I was looking for this comment; leaving satisfied!

[@thatwiseoldbitchchannel]

I just said that to myself! 😉

[@clairehill2584]

Haha I was just about to write this!!

[@stephenwalls1]

Trivia fact. The young actor who played Pip in the 1946 Great Expectations was Anthony Wager and was a former pupil at my old school Christ's College Finchley.

[@barbaramackey6743]

That was my favorite as a child plus secret gardens.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

wow thank you for the trivia fact! x

[@Thebigmanmetaldetecting]

Awesome hunt Nick your find at 6:00 is a roman/medieval earwax scoop beautiful find congratulations

[@TheTmayder]

Yes, that is exactly what it is! Great find

[@jtothew4201]

No it's not far too long, it's one of these www.amazon.com/Stainless-Stirrers-Cocktail-Swizzle-Beverage/dp/B0751JSDTJ

[@Thebigmanmetaldetecting]

@@jtothew4201 I'm inclined to disagree images.vcoins.com/product_image/48/R/6/Rt9z3PeDyiC28JfL6J7rsNT6T4zKHk.jpg

[@TheFiown]

The ring looks like carnelian, a hard stone of the agate family ,,,

[@TheFiown]

@pisswobbleI think you mean Cameleon !

[@karolapokladnik356]

I have a ring almost like that I bought in China in the 70s it is carnelian!

[@shhhhquitethyme]

Agreed

[@kaseythompson4670]

I concur, it's carnelian. It's a lovely, warm stone.

[@JanVafa]

Stephanie Murray - dang auto-incorrect! I think you mean Chameleon!

[@markharris5771]

There an amazing landscape photography shot behind you at the beginning of the video, even if it is a bit cliché. The spoon was gorgeous, I'm sure some jewellery could be made out of it. The brass with the ball head might have been attached to a lever or pulley of some kind, a bit like a brake cable on a bicycle. Bill Oddie frequents the Thames estuary birding. It looks such an amazing place, unfortunately not disability scooter friendly. I think the wader might have been a golden plover in the middle of changing plumage. I’ve gone off knives especially newer ones. I bought a knife for my workshop yesterday, it's penknife blade and utility knife in one. I cut myself on the plastic packeting. The curler was fascinating, what fantastic and really well researched and explained. The same with the Primrose League badge especially as I've lived in D'Israeli's constituency. All your research is really fascinating, even Dicken's love of picnicking in graveyards. He also liked living with his wife's much younger sister, a situation that might have raised eyebrows. I am totally addicted to your videos. I love your excitement at your finds, your research and the respect you show the previous owners as human beings. Most of all your presentation skills are fantastic. Thank you so much for all the work you put into your videos, I know I’m not the only one who appreciates it.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Mark x

[@craftylittlerthings]

I think the long twisted metal thing, is a hair pin, they weren’t always sharp at the bottom, it may have been one that had another oval piece to go with it. There again I could be totally wrong lol!

[@juliepauly8317]

Encore une très belle vidéo. Passionnant !!! Vous êtes la seule anglaise que je comprends un peu ! Merci.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Merci! X

[@TheElZhy]

the pin might be an important thing -one of an underthewig head scratchers

[@richarddesitter9386]

thanks again Nicola, a moment of calm and pleasure. first 25 tears of my life was in Chicago USA, where I comed beaches whenever I could. however beach glass was the most prevalent. later in life I became what we call a snowbird. where as being a carpenter I out ran the snow season with St. petersburg,FL. with my boat . Any how what you love intrigues me so very much,and as you wonderfully put it once (forgive me if I don"t get this right) someday people in the future may find our cig. butts interesting. You are so fun. always look forward to your adventures, thank you. Richard in South Carolina, USA.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Richard x

[@richarddesitter9386]

@@nicolawhitemudlark : Have you ever thought about taking us to some your museums in London . Then showing us "monumental" beach finds they have in display? Your friend in SouthCarolina,USA.

[@OP-1000]

The WR logo = Crown Staffordshire, Royal Navy Wardroom

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you

[@pheart2381]

The hat pin thingy looks like an apothecary scoop for measuring out very small quantities of powder. No I just realised its probably a snuff spoon!

[@iainb1577]

Snuff spoon was my first thought but its difficult to see the scale of the scoop end.

[@carp53]

Thankyou👍 It is great waking up here in California on an early Sunday morning to Your mudlark. Good find that marble.👀

[@kittymorse7402]

The inside of a spinning top is my guess.

[@iLitAfuseiCantStop]

YES! I had an old tin one as a child & distinctly remember the little ball at the top & the metal part that extended through the top had a wonderful twist in it. I used to lie on the floor on my side & push it down slowly & watch the swirl disappear into the top. I can still recall the sounds it made. Thanks for bringing back that memory from my childhood! I haven't thought about that in at least 35 years ❤

[@jamjams690]

here's you a Song verse for you: Nicola girl the pipes the pipes are callingggggg, From the muddddddy shoreeeees of the river Thamesssss

[@Sifinds]

Super vid Nic, that wig curler is unique, never seen one that big before!

[@steveevans105]

What more can you ask for,Top finds and the history behind them. 👍👍👍

[@claudemclain1032]

Nicola, really enjoyed this video...made we remember the 4 wonderful years my wife and I lived in Suffolk and Essex...keep up the good work...👍🐺❤️

[@richardpaine5923]

Is that a bone marrow scoop? The twiddly thing.

[@louismicallef1493]

That's a part of a coin spoon

[@stuartwilliams4898]

Was thinking too it could be a bone marrow scoop.

[@sydneyc.6714]

Very interesting video. I never knew about curling wigs with those clay curlers. Your knowledge is quite refreshing. ❤❤❤

[@sharonclifford7539]

Another wonderful video, I love the way you bring your finds to life, your adventures are a highlight of my week. Thank you.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank Sharon x

[@ThePresidentialTourist]

Always awesome to see a new video from Nicola Queen of mudlarking.

[@janet3528]

Thanks Nicola for another fascinating video...loved the “rabbit hole” bit....looking forward to your next adventure 🙂👍

[@keithtyson9512]

I do indeed love following you down the rabbit hole! I also frequent the process quite often. I suppose we all endear ourselves to the possibilities, some more than others. I was taken back to the first introduction to Pip as you strolled through the cemetery in Kent. How we can occupy the same space of someone else only separated by time. To discover something dropped or lost by an unknown human centuries ago...mind boggling. I enjoy “spending time” with you though, we are on opposite banks of the pond!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Keith x

[@sametoyoutoo8509]

Another brilliant and fascinating video. Thank you so much x ❤

[@richardwarnock2789]

They turn a cocktail stir into a backscratcher it served it's purpose well I suppose!?.

[@nebbindog6126]

Happy week to you too. The rainy, misty, overcast skies here on the shore of Lake Michigan look a lot like today's video journey, which I so it enjoyed, indoors!

[@hardyakka6200]

Hat pin ? Will that reply get me a like tick? You need to spend a wee bit more mudlarking dear. Half your lovely video only was mudlarking. That threepence looks like me well worn and a bit rough.

[@Dempo1000]

I really enjoy your videos i fined them very relaxing x

[@marjielalonde3875]

Always enjoyable, and very interesting background stories. Thanks Nicola!

[@argleplonidge5838]

I think the blue squeaky ball with the inane grin is the bookies favourite to replace Theresa May as leader of the Tory party.

[@redlily8101]

Could the long twisted piece be part of a fingernail set? For pushing the cuticle back?

[@ElicBehexan]

Thanks for the info about Dickens. I will not say I'm a fan of his books, but I recognize that he was a great influence on literature of the time and of today. I realize that he was kind of the J.K. Rowling of his time. People flocked to hear him read parts of his stories. I have done that with Mercedes Lackey back in the 1990s with a friend. I love your videos, even if I don't always see what you see. You have trained yourself to find these things. I wish there were a way to pick up all the "junk" on the shore, metal bits and the like, but I am quite aware that you can't clean up the place. I like that you do pick up a good bit of glass and I think your glass, metal and ceramic fish and things are wonderful.

[@KenBlackRifleAmerica]

I love trips down the 'rabbit hole' as it were. The Dickens tale was lovely. Thank you so much! One of my favorite Charles Dickens' lines: Cheers Nicola 😉 It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

So true!

[@kenszymkowiak3171]

The spoon design is finished off with a chrysanthemum which suggests Japanese connection or origin. Then again, everyone enjoys a nice mum.

[@advenzures]

Very nice video. Thank you for sharing.

[@tommymackay2849]

Hi Nicola. I've just seen you on TV. WooHoo nice. You kept that one quiet.

[@lucyslarkingadventures9863]

Enjoyed the lark today thanks Nicola xx

[@JohnW852]

Nicola... You identified 'Cliffe Fort'. Found Your Spot right away with Google Maps! Including the 'Hans Egede shipwreck' You were videoing over... Cool stuff! ^_^

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Yes that's a fascinating wreck too.lots of history

[@paigehodgkiss9607]

im a personal history geek, love this sort of stuff! i could (and do) watch video after video of yours all evening! thank you

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you x

[@lorimiller3375]

Very interesting piece on Charles Dickens ,a lil morbid that he used a grave marker as his table ,but I myself love to go to graveyards ,I just wander who ,what ,when ,where and why? Say a few blessings ,prayers ,thank yous as well as I talk to any willing to listen as I bud their souls a blessed journey..Who knows maybe the pocket watch was that of Charles Dickens..again thank you for the bit of history I'm always learning ..keep up the awesome videos..Lori Miller PITTSBURGH PA.USA..Blessed be my friend.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Lori 😘❤️

[@johnhartley3596]

That bird at 11:46 is a Ruddy Turnstone.

[@philjones6054]

The visit to the church associated with Dicken's Great Expectations was an excellent idea, and a very positive addition to your usual format. It may be worth expanding on this idea, with visits to other places of interest that have an association with your finds. Marvellous show as always!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Phil. Yes I'm going to try to do that more often

[@suecj1208]

Great scenic filming to enjoy far from the Thames in my Ottawa living room 🙂

[@fredamarshall3627]

Thank you Nicola for the Dickens tour. I read Great Expectations annually. Your Tideline posts are always wonderful.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you

[@deborahcook1248]

love your videos. Could that "pin" be a pipe cleaner?