Yesterday, took the Docklands Light Rail from Bank to Island Gardens. Took in the magnificent but gray view of the Royal Naval college (yet another design by Christopher Wren) before walking across the Greenwich Foot Tunnel (under the Thames River). I emerged on the other side to the site of the Cutty Sark (circa 1869), the world’s last surviving tea clipper ship.
Walked down the river towards Greenwich Park, passing the Old Royal Naval College along the way. From within the old building I could hear the clamor of dozens of various musical instruments practicing various songs. I soon learned that some of the buildings of the College now house the Trinity College of Music.
Headed up the great hill in the park to the Royal Observatory. Took the free tour (which was excellent) of the Flamsteed house, also built by C. Wren (who, by the way, was an astronomer before he was an architect). Flamsteed was Britain’s first Royal Astronomer and spent his life tracking stars. His contribution helped pave the way to the discovery of how to establish longitude. It was John harrison, whoever, who won the Longitude Prize for his invention of the H4 (preceded by the H1, H2, H3), the first maritime clock that was accurate enough to determine longitude over long distances. It was a great tour, and a fascinating journey in science and process. Note to self: read Dava Sobel’s “Longitude: The true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time”.
I also saw the largest telescope in Britain (a 28 inch refractor) and stood on the Prime Meridian!
Link to photos!
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