Traffic trials

Today our easy time at the flat ends and we pick up the car and start to negotiate England's motorways and try out the iPad's capabilities as a navigator. It's been very relaxing here.

On our way to the bustop we call into the Anglican church to have a look at the memorial to the martyrs of the reformation. So many died around Stratford. At times there were 20 000 spectators. Hard to know whether they were watching for entertainment or to support them. Either way they must have been impressed by the way they died.

We then caught a double decker bus to Barking to pick up the car. We of course made sure we sat in the front of the top deck. The drivers are just amazing how they fit up narrow streets with parked cars and oncoming traffic and overhanging branches. We picked up the car and the wonderful Apple machine directed us back to Chopwell close. Patrick was there so we had a quick lunch with him and then set off with the wonderful suitcase of Ordnance maps he had brought for us to take on our travels. Geoff was in seventh heaven with so many maps.

The IPAD took us on a rather circuitous route to the RAF museum at Hendon. About half way there we thought we knew better and went another way and promptly got ensnarled in very heavy traffic. The driving was quite scary when everything was so unfamiliar and Geoff nearly collected a truck at one stage. Finally we arrived at the museum and Geoff was engrossed for hours. Every time I saw him he was muttering 'this is amazing'!

The collection of aircraft was large but also so comprehensive, particularly relating to WW 2 . As well as a brilliant display showing the context with allied aircraft a complete collection of German aircraft in excellent condition was on display. The hundred years from the first flight to modern jets was shown dramatically.

What I was overwhelmed with was seeing the restored Beaufort bomber below. I had no idea how huge it was and I felt quite emotional imagining my Dad flying this monster of a machine during the war.

After the museum we had a slow trip down to Stockbridge. Again it was quite challenging and we were glad to arrive at the White Hart Coaching inn. Amazing place. More about that later

 

Last day in London

First up today is a return to Greenwich to finish off the things we didn't get to last time. We got to the Observatory before it opened so we took the opportunity to enjoy the view from top of the hill

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Geoff was excited to see the measurement board from what standard measurements were taken from.

The Royal Observatory has played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation, and is best known as the location of the prime meridian. Geoff here has one foot in the east and one in the west!

Apparently finding a way to determine longitude was very difficult. In 1714, Parliament established a panel of experts, the Board of Longitude, and offered a massive £20,000 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitude at sea. It took nearly 60 years for the prize to be claimed. In the end it went not to a famous astronomer, scientist or mathematician, but to a little-known Yorkshire carpenter turned clockmaker, John Harrison.

Here is Geoff looking very pleased to have found some old surveying instruments

The observatory was full of amazing instruments.

Coming down the hill from the observatory.

Looking back up the hill

After having a lovely hot chocolate and pastry at the Maritime museum we split forces. Geoff stayed at the museum and I went to have a look at the Queen's House. Inigo Jones was commissioned to build it in 1616 by Anne of Denmark wife of James 1st who often visited the old Tudor palace there. It is said he gave her the land as an apology for swearing at her. Anne died before it was finished and James gave it to Henrietta Maria, his son's wife(Charles 1st)was completed in 1635. They only got to enjoy it for anfew years before the Civil War erupted. The Queen's House is one of the most important buildings in British architectural history, being the first consciously classical building to have been constructed in Britain.

The staircase was amazing. It was the first cantilevered stairs in Britain.

Detail of the ceiling decoration

The entry hall was a perfect cube

Looking out of the window to the Royal Naval hospital

Check out the floors!

View from the Queens House

Interesting streetscapes

Past the Cutty Sark again. This time we took the ferry back up the Thames. This huge passenger ship was moored.

You get an idea of how busy the port of London must have been in the past when you see the number of converted wharehouses lining the river.

Geoff was fascinated by these old boats

Another look at my favourite bridge

Another large passenger liner. This time it was moored to HMS Belfast.

Then we passed under London Bridge.The current bridge still stands at the western end of the Pool of London but it is positioned 30 metres upstream from the original alignment. The traditional ends of the medieval bridge were marked by St Magnus-the-Martyr on the northern bank and Southwark Cathedral on the southern shore.

We passed the Golden Hind, Francis Drake's ship. Not sure if it is a replica or has been restored.

Then it was time to go treasure hunting at low tide. Something Geoff has dreamed of doing for decades. We found some interesting stuff but not sure how we will get them home

Off for a walk over the Milleneum Bridge. No wobbles anymore!

Quite spectacular with St Paul's at the end

Bridge after bridge

Off to Covent Garden next. Geoff went to the transport museum and I walked around the amazing plaza. There were markets and lots of buskers and food and people everywhere. It was really jumping. These are some of the things Geoff saw in the museum

And then it was back to Chopwell Close for a final time. What a perfect place this has been to stay while we were in London.Thanks Patrick and Margaret!

 

 

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