Wednesday 16th July 2008

Day Three - Greenwich, London Eye

Our first journey into London today.  Greenwich is located to the south east of the capital and was for a long while one of the most important ports for the British Royal Navy.  There was a Tudor palace on the site of the current university and museum before it became a hospital for injured sailors in the 18th century.  Standing on top of Greenwich Hill you can see the most wonderful view of London.  Below you is the magnificent Queen's House finsihed in 1635 and either side Wren's hospital.  Over the Thames is the Millennium Dome, Canary Wharf and towards the city nestling among ther high rises, St Paul's Cathedral.  Today the hospital is the National Maritme Museum and this centre of naval importance is the reason we are here for this is where sea travel became dramatically safer.  The Royal Observatory founded by Charles II in 1635 began the search for longitude.  It had been impossible for sailors to accurately chart their position at sea and consequently many lives had been lost. The Observatory was the home to solving this most important geographical puzzle.  Inside the museum is a history of that quest and John Harrison's four time pieces are on display, with H4 being the most accurate way of charting your postion at sea.  The museum is wonderful and helps you see the importance of time.  Perhaps the most tangible sign is the Meridian Line that runs striaght through the Observatory.  This is always an important photo opportunity for all ISCA students.

Down into Greenwich to look at the hoardings that mask the renovation work on the tea clipper, the Cutty Sark (due to reopen in 2010) and onto City Cruises for our boat trip up the Thames to Westminster.  There are too many sites to mention as we ride up the river but it is a fascinating way to see London's history.

Disembarking at Westminster pier in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament we make our way over Westminster Bridge and wait to ride the London Eye.  The views are amazing and you get to 'fly' high above the city.  It is a great experience and by the time we get back on our coaches we are ready to head back to Charterhouse.