Wednesday 11th July 2007 Greenwich - The Royal Observatory Boat Trip on the River Thames The London Eye Out and about in London today. Actually our first destination, Greenwich, is not really London. It is one of the London suburbs, located to the south east of the capital. We arrived in Greenwich Park and took a short walk to the Royal Observatory. The observatory is the home of Greenwich meantime and the building dates from the 17th century when Charles II appointed the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, to further develop the study of the stars. Within the observatory the story of time and the pursuit for an accurate time-piece to help ships navigate accurately their position is explored. The highlight is standing astride the Prime Meridian, the brass line of zero longtitude that links both north and south poles. The study of the stars is explored and several telescopes are on display as well as a complete new development to the site that includes plenty of interactive displays about space. After a bite to eat we explored the town of Greenwich, sadly minus the Cutty Sark, which is underging restoration after suffering a bad fire earlier in the year. It should open again early in 2009. Then on board our boat for a cruise up the Thames. We passed under Tower Bridge, by Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, got great views of the Tower of London, the National Theatre, the Oxo Tower and the Houses of Parliament. After stepping onto dry land again it was straight on to the London Eye for spectacular views over the capital. A great day!
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