By lunchtime yesterday, the sun was shining, it wasn’t raining, and the air temperature was tolerable … and Sue and I decided that some fresh air might do us some good. After a look at the various places we could go for a walk, we decided to go to Greenwich Park.
It took us less than fifteen minutes to drive to the park and I was able to find a disabled parking place near the Pavilion Cafe. From there we walked past the Royal Greenwich Observatory towards the statue of General Wolfe …
… and the viewpoint from which one has a panoramic view of the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, the former Royal Naval College (now the University of Greenwich), the former Millennium Dome (now the O2), and - in the distance - the Shard.
Although I’ve visited Greenwich Park many times before, I never realised that the statute of General Wolfe …
… was paid for by the Canadian government and unveiled by the then Marquis of Montcalm in 1930.
Sue and I decided to eat lunch in the Pavilion Cafe …
… which turned out to be quite reasonably priced for a venue in a very touristy area.
We enjoyed our short break in Greenwich Park and there is no doubt that going out into the fresh air was better for us than sitting at home. We may have returned home tired, but we were mentally refreshed by our excursion.
Great to see that you're both able to get out Bob - a bit of sunshine and a change of scenery will hopefully help aid recovery.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteWe are really glad that we went yesterday and didn’t put it off until today as it is cloudy, raining, and cold … and there seems to be little chance of the weather improving!
All the best,
Bob
It's many years since I've been to Greenwich Park. It's a beautiful view of the old Naval College from the top of the hill. Not so keen on what lies over at Canary Wharf though!
ReplyDeleteThe weather looks fine. A grand trip out.
Nundanket,
DeleteBack in the mid 1980s I worked in a building in Royal Hill, Greenwich, which was about 200m from the western boundary of Greenwich Park. I used to drive through the park to and from work (you cannot do that now!) and saw the gradual rise of the Canary Wharf.
The park was a great place to pass though - and stop off in - during my commute, and it never failed to make me feel better than I might have otherwise felt.
All the best,
Bob
I bet! I did that once during a train strike when I lived near Orpington. Drove to Greenwich, and caught a boat up the Thames. Lovely way to commute.
DeleteNundanket,
DeleteIf you have the time, travelling into central London by Thames Clipper is the best way to do the journey. Wonderful things to see, comfortable seats, a bar, and toilets … and not as expensive as one might think!
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteThe Pavillion Cafe for Lunch sounds really good- What did you have? - I'm curious. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteSue and I both ate a ham and Swiss cheese baguette (which was well over a foot long!) and shared a bag of artisan-made, sea salt flavour potato crisps/chips. I had an iced latte and Sue drank a large glass of Pino Grigio.
It was very good and freshly made … which is unusual for purist spots in London.
All the best,
Bob
A nice outing. Looks like it was fairly pleasant out.
ReplyDeleteI went to Greenwich on a UK visit around 20+ years ago. As a geographer it was a "must see" for me. Fond (but now vague) memories. ha ha
Fitz-Badger,
DeleteIt was a very enjoyable excursion.
Greenwich is one of the most-visited places in the UK. There is so much to see in such a small area (e.g. The Observatory and Prime Meridian, the old Royal Naval College - and its ’must see’ Painted Hall - the National Maritime Museum - including the Queen’s House, and the Park … which is bounded on the southern side by the Roman Watling Street).
In the Royal Borough of Greenwich we also have a pre-historic tumuli (it is about 200m from my house!), Blackheath, Severndroog Castle (an eighteenth century folly that served as a semaphore signal station during the Napoleonic War), Oxleas Woods (which date back to the end of the Ice Age), the Royal Artillery Barracks (which has the longest continuous Georgian frontage of any building in the UK), and Eltham Palace (where Henry VIII lived as a child and which includes one of the best examples of an art decor house in its extension) to name but a few!
All the best,
Bob
Despite living in London, I haven't been in Greenwich (although i did have to venture into Eltham a couple of weeks ago for work) in years...must do something about that soon
ReplyDeleteAlastair,
DeleteLondon is but a collection of villages, and there are parts - especially towards the west - that I’ve rarely if ever visited … or even driven through!
Try to make it to Greenwich soon as the tourist season will be starting in earnest in the near future and you won’t be able to move or see the sights for the crowds!
All the best,
Bob