Greenwich

The next day we proceeded down the Thames to Greenwich, home of the Royal Observatory. It sits on the Greenwich Meridian, 0 degrees longitude, that Molly is straddling here. Inside are the original chronometers designed by John Harrison to allow precise determination of longitude at sea, a story well-told in the book Longitude. There is also a great Maritime Museum, and not least...

the good ship Cutty Sark, the last of clipper ships that competed to bring the first of the season's tea to the wharves of London. Launched in 1869, she is no spring chicken, and was rescued from near-oblivion some years back. She is now under going a major restoration that will include an experimental electrolytic treatment to prevent further deterioration of the iron superstructure.

Below decks there is a smashing collection of figureheads.

We finished the day at the Tower of London, where political prisoners, not to mention the occasional king or queen, were kept and sometimes tortured or beheaded in the 11th through 17th centuries. It now houses the crown jewels, which are viewed by standing on a slow-moving conveyor belt to avoid congestion. In the White Tower there is a fabulous display of weapons and armor (but indoor photography is not permitted).

Order is maintained by these well-dressed Beefeaters.

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