Greenwich - Maritime and Mean time (Throwback post)

Royal Naval College, Greenwich

We moved in to our new flat in Greenwich just before our trip to Svalbard, but it was only really once we got back that we could get our boxes unpacked and settle in.

It was quite strange, knowing that we were only moving in for six months. We had bought a basic set of furniture from IKEA, which was a feat in itself as their delivery arrangements were a real pain. But it arrived, and we assembled it with only relatively few swearwords uttered.

Greenwich Market

Whilst we have got quite used to our life on the road, we were quite looking forward to being able to be in our own home, and to having our own stuff around us for a change.

Because we had got rid of all the basic, practical stuff, and only kept the good things that we had, it was really rather nice to unpack boxes, as everything that we took out was something that made us happy.

Greenwich Market

We were also keen to have the chance to do some real cooking for a change, in a properly stocked kitchen, which wasn't shared with others. Of course I say properly stocked, but there were occasions when, partway through making something, I would suddenly remember that I got rid of 'x' when we left, and hadn't bought a new one.

Sometimes Nic had to do a quick dash to the shop, such as when I realised I no longer had a measuring jug, while other times I could get creative, such as a wine bottle used as a rolling pin, or using the mesh strainer section of our juicer to sieve the blackberries that I was using to make a jelly.

Royal Naval College, Greenwich

It was good to be able to invite some friends and family over to us, and we also decided that, even though we wouldn't be here that long, it would be nice to meet the neighbours, so we invited those on our floor around for drinks and nibbles.

That went well, so we had them around again at Christmas, which I used that as an opportunity to have a go at a recipe for hot buttered cider that I had fancied trying.

The Queen's House, Greenwich

We bought our flat outside of the main centre of Greenwich, because while it is nice there, there are a lot of tourists around for much of the time. Our flat is just far enough away to be cheaper, allow us to escape the bustle, but still close enough to enjoy the opportunities when we want them. One of the places we like to pop along to is the market, which although busy, has some interesting stalls and a variety of food options. We tried an interesting noodle burger, where the bread roll is replaced by noodles.

Tulip Stairs, The Queen's House, Greenwich

Greenwich is one of those places that many people have heard of, just because of Greenwich Meantime. In 1884 Sir Sandford Fleming led delegates from 27 nations to agree a worldwide standard time, with one hour time zone delineations based on the 24 meridians of the longitude lines that run around the earth from pole to pole. The central of these is the prime meridian, from which all time zones are plus or minus up to 12 hours, and it runs through Greenwich. Hence Greenwich Mean Time, or as it is now becoming known, Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

Like so much of London, the area is steeped in history. It was a roman settlement, and it the Royal Palace of Placentia that used to be here was the preferred home of the Tudors, with Elizabeth I having been born there.

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

That palace is fell into disrepair during the English Civil War, and demolished in 1694, but The Queen's House, built for James I's wife, Anne of Denmark is still here, and is a very popular venue for weddings and events.

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

It is the first true renaissance building in England, with an impressive black and white tiled floor and the beautiful Tulip Stairs. This was the first cantilevered (centrally unsupported) staircase in England, and was designed by Inigo Jones.

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

In 1692, Mary II had a naval hospital built on the site, and from 1873 until 1998, it was The Royal Naval College. These days, it is part university buildings, part tourist attraction, and is regularly used for filming; you may remember it being 'destroyed' in Thor: The Dark World.

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

Another maritime attraction here is the famous old clipper, the Cutty Sark, the 6-7 mile mark in the London Marathon. The ship, which cost £16,150 to build, made her first voyage from London to China in 1870, and she was considered one of the fastest ships in the world.

However the opening of the Suez Canal removed the need for these clippers to make the journeys to bring back tea, and she was eventually moved to bringing back wool from Australia.

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

Cutty Sark, Greenwich

It is an interesting ship to look around, though of course much of it is now a rebuild, since it was largely destroyed by fire.

Tall Ships Festival, London

On the subject of sailing ships, we also went along to see the Tall Ships Festival, where they have a flotilla of sailing ships come up the Thames. It was quite impressive to see so many of them all together.

Tall Ships Festival, London

Tall Ships Festival, London

Tall Ships Festival, London

Tall Ships Festival, London