A trip to Greenwich, and other tidbits

The Trip to Greenwich on Monday

We decided to take a trip to Greenwich.  It was recommended as one of the best “day trips from London” in a book we’ve been reading, and sounded interesting.  It is only 13 miles from our flat (according to Google Maps), but does take about 50 minutes to get there by the tube (once you account walking to/from tube stops, transfers, etc.). 

It was a sunny and cold day, but perfect for walking around.  

We wandered through their park area, and went to the National Maritime Museum.  This was a wonderful place, and like most London Museums, free to enter.  They had all sorts of interesting history about expeditions to North America, the Poles, and about trade with China.  They had quite a bit on the monopoly a trading company had that allowed it to control much of India, as well.  The kids really enjoyed this as well …

We didn’t stay there too long (you can’t really stay in any museum too long with children) and it was almost lunchtime, so we left to find food.  We ended up finding a little store that seemed authentic but served food at reasonable prices.  (Dining or drinking out can be very expensive here.)  Everybody enjoyed their meal, and I tried a seafood pie (like a pot pie, but with seafood) that was outstanding.  When I go to pubs I try to choose items I haven’t had before and seem "British" when possible.  So far I haven’t been disappointed. The kids outside the restaurant ...

After lunch, we went to The Queen's House.  This was an old house commissioned by Anne of Denmark in the early 1600s.  It had several paintings, a nice view of the Thames, and the 'tulip stairs' (the first centrally unsupported spiral stair in Britain).  Photo of the kids on the stairs ...

Finally, we went to straddle the Prime Meridian.  That’s the 0 degree longitude line that separates the East and West Hemispheres.  Some photos …

It was a nice way to spend a morning and early afternoon!

Other notes: 

On Friday afternoon the kids and I went to Primrose Hill (again).  They had a park there that was open (it’s open until 4:00 daily) where the kids played.  We also brought our new Chelsea soccer ball and kicked it around a bit (and played catch with it too).  Here are some photos from the top of Primrose Hill and from the Park (Jacob climbed to the top of a climbing structure:

Saturday: I got to meet a friend I knew from my poker days – The Hawk (also known as John).  He and I used to talk poker (and other things) a lot in a chat room back in the days when I played online poker.  We had a pint at a pub before going to a nice Brazilian Restaurant, which had very tasty food.  As with the other ITHers I’ve met over the years– he was a great guy and I had a nice time. 

Sunday: 

We went to the same church again and had another nice service.  The people at this church (St. John's Downshire) are the most welcoming to newcomers any church we've ever attended.  The pastor gives thought provoking sermons and they have lots of kids activities.  It will be a nice church for us while we're here.  We've met some very nice people already through the church, as have the older kids.  We feel blessed to have found someplace to be a temporary home so quickly after arriving.

Wednesday: 

Another play.  This was at the Orange Street Theatre.  It's a theatre in the round ... everybody is in a circle around the stage.  Well, technically it's a theatre in the square, but that doesn't sound as catchy.  

The play was good with outstanding acting.  Like last week, we were just a couple rows away.  (They only had 3 rows in this theatre.)

All for now ...