Arriving from Southwark we have to change trains in Canary Wharf. In order to do that we also have to exchange train stations so we have an opportunity to look at the modernistic skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
We have a choice of two stations on the new line and we choose randomly arriving at another station that seems taken from scifi movie.
After a brief encounter with a ticket checker, that didn’t catch anyone as far as we can see, we arrive at the Greenwich station and the first thing that we see is the restored Cutty Sark. Previously when we visited here it was closed as it just burned down but now it is restored to its former glory. We also enter the visitor center in the hope of a map or any information but we are sorely disappointed so we continue on relying on the GPS.
Old Royal Naval College right outside is a Unesco World Heritage Site for one of the “finest and most dramatically sited architectural and landscape ensemble in the British Isles”. This was the site of the regal palace where Mary I and Elizabeth I where born but it was destroyed during the English Civil War and then a new complex was built that become the Royal Naval College. However now we are passing as fast as we can through it to get to the Observatory before our relatives have to leave.
It is a partly sunny day and a Sunday and that is enough reason for the Londoners to be out in force on all green areas in the city. They are picknicking, sunbathing and just overall enjoying a rare nice day in London. We soon start the tiring climb towards the observatory, with the sun out it is actually getting quite warm outside.
At the top we take photos with the requisite public standards of measurement and then it is time to say goodbye to our relatives who have to hurry back to the airport to get their luggage and then get to a different airport for their flights. If only they knew at that point that the plane will be delayed by more than four hours they would have had a lot more time to spend in Greenwich.
Now alone we marvel at the crowds of people around the observatory and enjoy the great views of Canary Wharf and Royal Naval College from the top of the hill.
We then decide to explore the gardens more in depth. There are only few flowers that we see most of them like the roses are not yet out for the season.
There are birds of course however, beautiful Eurasian Magpies and of course wood pigeons.
We then descend towards the National Maritime Museum trying to find a way through it but there is none so we have to go around it via some typical English streets of rows of townhouses. In this area we are surveilled a lot but military helicopters, we are a bit afraid there is something bad in progress but luckily nothing happened.
Next stop is Queen’s House, a former royal residence built in the early 17th century. It was built near the demolished Greenwich Palace by the Queen at the time, which is where the name is coming from. It was in use by royalty only for a short time before becoming a Royal Hospital for Seamen and now an art museum. It is free to enter, which is great, so that is what we do.
There are quite a few tourists here but nothing like in front of Greenwich Observatory and the paintings of the maritime battles and lords are interesting enough.
We also like the structure of the house and the architectural details. we then learn that it is considered one of the most important buildings in British architectural history due to it employing for the first time classical building techniques. That doesn’t stop however the architects to embelish the building with monkeys, lots of monkeys everywhere similar to Castell Coch.
One of the most beautiful architectural detail is the spiral staircase, it looks quite beautiful with an optical illusion that it is much longer than it actually is.
From here it is time to return towards the Old Naval College while exploring the modern art along the way.
The College certainly looks impressive and that is how it should be. After all it was the center of training for all the seamen that made UK the proeminent naval power for a couple centuries.
And there are lots of buildings, we almost get lost between them but we keep an eye on the prize which is the Thames. When we reach it we follow the shore back towards where we started.
Here we catch another glimpse of Cutty Sark and are impressed again by the crowds of the people. If anything there are even more than we arrived it feels impossible to find a place to eat that is not full as we initially intended.
With a stroke of luck we actually find an open table at a cafe which even has a sweet that is specifically designed to celebrate the coronation. Who can resist that? We also buy a traditional English tea – it is our last day here so why not celebrate in style?
After we are done refreshed we find the subway and with a bit of luck we can board it and then have to exchange again at Canary Wharf. We are now going to our last stop of the day and our trip, downtown London to see how the post coronation vibe is.
