Day Three 14th July 2010 - Greenwich / Thames Cruise / London Eye

We make our way to Greenwich and the home of time and maritime navigation.  Walking into Greenwich Park which has a history dating back to the 15th century, we stop to hear about the Royal Observatory before venturing into the museum.  From the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, to the search for Longitude this place has a fascinating history.  There is so much to see but one of the highlights has to be John Harrison's H4; the clock that solved the longitude dilemma.  The Observatory is perched high in Greenwich Park and has spectacular views of London.  The very parched grass being noticeable after the long dry spell in Southern England over the last few weeks.  That dry spell seems to be ending as today is overcast and some rain has fallen.

After the Observatory each group walks down the hill into Greenwich where time is spent in the market, the maritime shops or exploring.  We all meet by the Cutty Sark, the 19th century tea clipper.  She is under cover as restoration work continues on this fine vessel.

Our vessel is in much better shape and we board a City Cruiser for the journey up the Thames to our next destination - the London Eye.  The journey up the river is always fascinating as wholes swathes of London's past go by.  The fancy waterside apartments that have replaced the old warehouses, the City with its high rise buildings, Tower Bridge, St Paul's, The Globe and Westminster and the iconic 'Big Ben'.

Stepping off the boat and walking over Westminster Bridge to the Eye is busy and the Southbank is a seething mass of tourists enjoying their afternoon.  On the Eye to look above London.  This 25 minute ride has become an essential part of a visit to London and is well worth it.

Back onto the coaches for the ride to Charterhouse.