A bit late getting started - my phone had an update and they turned off the setting allowing file transfers. Don't ya just luv computers? It's fixed so off we go.
I started out to head for Canary Wharf, but went by it to the Greenwich Station. The other station in Greenwich (Cutty Sark) is still closed (ref. my Oct. 22 post).
Here's a photo of the ultimate destination - the Grand Square of the Old Royal Military College (RMC for short).
I'll step back and talk aa bit about getting here. I start with the Underground or Tube as it is mainly referred to. At a station called Bank, you transfer to the DLR line on the Overground. The fun part about the Overground is that it is above ground and you get to view the sights. After the RMC I'll include some videos of the ride.
I got off at Greenwich, with a walk due to the closed station. Here's somebody wth a sense of humour
My next encounter was with this beast
Stick in 50P and the door opens to reveal
Arriving at the RMC
Quick note - I don't think my travel advisor (JD) told me about the RMC. But that's OK, her rates are pretty good.
Inside I learn about the 4 phases of history for the RMC:
1498 - 1694: It was the Greenwich Palace, birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The buildings fell into disrepair during the English Civil War and were demolished.
1694 - 1869: Queen Mary II asked Sir Christopher Wren (famous architect) to design a grand institution to take care of the men who served in the Royal Navy - hence the Royal Hospital
1873 - 1998: The Royal Naval College was created to train officers in Britain's navy.
Today: As well as a magnificent architectural site, it is home to the University of Greenwich and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
I'm here to look at the architecture; no dancing.
In the visitor's centre, a fact about Henry VIII
The ceiling of the entrance
This is a video of the room Entrance to the Painted Hall
Two photos of the Grand Hall: One of part of a wall, and one of part of the ceiling. The light coloured cylinders are part of an art installation "Identity."
And two videos (each about 30 seconds) Painted Hall Painted Hall 2
I stood 1/4 & 3/4 of the way down the hall to take them. There are two art installations on display in the hall: Identity (the tubes above) and Connections (two large hands at the other end).
This is Nelson's statue in the Nelson Room
And benches with the coats of Arms of Nelson and Sir Donald Gosling
Plaque depicting sailors in the Royal Marin Hospital, probably talking about Nelson and his tactics at Trafalgar.
I think this was in the Nelson Room as well (I'm getting cross-eyed).
The Chalk Walk, connecting parts of the building
This photo shows a bit of the original palace underneath the new building
From here I went to the other major building, the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul
Video of the entrance Chapel Entrance
And a number of photos of the Chapel. I don't know why I didn't do a video (cross-eyed again)
Leaving the Chapel into the Grand Square. The Painted Hall is to the left and the Chapel to the right.
Walking to the end of these two buildings, I am between four buildings.
This video ORMC Grounds shows them in the order: Painted Hall, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, University of Greenwich, and the Chapel.
The Water Gate at the north (Thames) end of the Grand Square, and the Queen's Gate at the other end.
I headed back to the Overground and took a quick trip through the Greenwich market.
And a bit of humour
It's getting late, so I'll finish tomorrow with Overground videos. That's tomorrow my time, which is the middle of the night your time
Good morning.
I was going to add a couple videos while riding the Overground. The underground is boring - it's all dark.
First video - From Island Gardens to Mudchute (interesting name) Mudchute
-This line has lighted tunnels - unusual
(Note: I took a selfie in the glass reflection. So,there!)
-They seem to go faster underground than above. This may because they are twisting
between buildings on tight curves. You can hear the wheels screeching.
-I am sitting in the Engineer's seat. That cover you see is locked and hides the controls
from people like me. He is somewhere else on the train. There is a control panel by the doors where the engineer can insert a key and take control of the doors while in a station.
Second video - From Heron Quays to Canary Wharf Canary Wharf
-Shows the twisting and turning between buildings
-It seems (to me) to be slower than the underground
-The power comes from the 3rd rail at the sides and returns by the running rails
-Notice they still haven't let me drive
As I left I had the following conversation with the conductor:
Me: I'm taking videos of the trains system for a friend back home
Him: Where are you from?
Me: West Coast of Canada
Him: Vancouver?
Me: No, Vancouver Island
Him: I'm from Edmonton
How about that?
Leaving Canary Wharf, here's a shot of boats in the canals
Last picture from yesterday: As I returned to Cartwright Gardens, here's a sign winter is coming. They took down all the baskets down!
I've developed a cold and was snuffling all night, so I'll take it easy today. So, there may not be much.
Greg
Your travel advisor reporting for duty!! We never did make it to the Naval College but do remember walking by it on our way up to Greenwich Observatory. It looks stunning but what’s with the giant hands in one of the videos or did I miss an explanatory note somewhere along the line ( maybe after the urinal picture!?). Cheers, Julie
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, they have art installations in that beautiful room. They are called Identity and Connections (the hands). I'll clarify that when I finish in the morning
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