Day 19: Time after time and this time sunshine in Greewich

There were waves of cloud blowing over us but this morning we felt that there was more blue than grey even though stormageddon had been predicted and we would chance the time at Greenwich. This is particularly significant for Chris and Liz because the last time we were in Greenwich there was flooding on local roads and the heavens just rained and rained and we were soaked up to our ankles. It was hideous, so hideous. In fact we did not brave the Observatory because it was just too far and too wet. But today it would be different. Being at Limehouse Basin we were already on the DLR and only a stone’s throw from Greenwich. Enid had decided to rest today and so it was only the three intrepid travellers who ventured out. 

We saw the Cutty Sark then meandered through the old Naval College grounds in search of the observatory. It was a hike up the hill, a very big hike, but the view from the top was amazing and so worth it. Then we entered the observatory, played mandatory tourist with our feet astride the line that divides East and West and we went on a very interesting whisper technology walk though the history of the Royal Observatory and how longitude was determined and then the challenge of measuring it. There were many highlights but three stand out. The first was the 4 iterations of the John Harrison ‘clock’ that finally resulted in a device that could measure longitude accurately while at sea, counting for the rolling movements of ships. Another exhibit that really captured my imagination was the Octagonal room which was so beautifully crafted by Christopher Wren and which was designed so that the Royal Astronomer could observe the heavens by day and by night. sadly it was not brilliant for that purpose because it was not built with alignment to the meridian, but it remains historically significant and contains a couple of clocks and  early telescopic devices. We mooched though the other exhibits, noting the incredible developments from the time of Halley, the second royal astronomer through until today, before trekking back down that horrid hill. A quick visit to the National Maritime Museum and the back down into Greenwich where we had a disappointing lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant before going back to Limehouse. Martina decided to disembark at Canary Wharf and have a look around but Chris and I went back to the unit to have a rest, because we were going to the Phoenix Theatre to see Come from Away this evening. 

Travelling to the theatre in the peak was a challenge but we rose to it, catching the DLR to Bank and then the central line to Tottenham Court. Pushed, shoved, lots of stairs to hike up and quite some walking, but then as we exited the station the heavens opened which was a bit of a challenge. Martina had chosen the Flat Iron restaurant for us to eat at tonight, but when we arrived they were so rude, it was pouring and there was no waiting the 30 mins for the table (that you cannot book for) inside the restaurant, and it was also apparent that the young man and his partner who nearly knocked Enid over to punch in front of her to get in, was known to the host and clearly was going to get a table prior to us anyway. So out we went into the rain  and we found a little Mexican Chipotle down the road: not swish but very adequate, dry, with tasty food and far more welcoming than the Snotty Flat Iron up the road. 

Come From Away was fabulous and tells the story of Gander, a tiny town in Newfoundland where planes were diverted to on September 11 2001 after the Twin Towers attacks. It was a very interesting integration of roles and the use of very minimal props was cleverly done. Most entertaining, and run without an interval so that there was no loss of momentum in the show. Humming the songs and foot tapping all the way home.

Afterwards we had to get back, and Chris decided that the best route would be by bus, which involved a 15 minute plus hike through Soho and riding the 15 Bus that wound its way down to Commercial Road in Limehouse, just up the way from our unit. A great West End show and the end to another enjoyable day.