Literature & Sciencey Stuff

It took us a while to decide what to do today. We have a London Pass, a prepaid ticket (109GBP for 6 days) that gives discounts or free entry into loads of places (although not some of the biggies: Mdm Taussaud's, the London Eye) but I wanted to make sure we got our maximum value from it. Thumbing through the guidebook last night I noticed the Charles Dickens Museum was in the list of attractions. Stephen had no objections, so there was one stop taken care of. And we had always planned to go to Greenwich, ideally by river boat, and the boat trip was in the book as well, so there it was: our day was planned.

Before we left the house, though, we thought we'd better sort out the rental car, ready for our departure from London tomorrow. This was a bit tricky: although we now have wifi, the website for the car company was slow and crashy. I tried phoning, but had to go outside to get any reception. It took 4 tries to get through and stay connected, but finally the guy I spoke to was helpful and able to send through a quote for what we needed. But it was too hard to confirm the booking from here, so we just left it, thinking we'd call them back later from a place that was more conducive to connection.

We were able to get close to Charles Dickens' old house without changing trains, and then we had a pleasant walk up a fairly big road. The house was well-presented, and not too crowded with other people. There is a whole streetful of people living in almost identical houses. How do they feel about it? Do they imagine themselves living like Victorians? Do they wonder what it would have been like if they had lived next door to Dickens? Do they think it's cool? I think it is.

From there we caught a bus towards Waterloo Station, but got off a stop early to walk along the river to sort out the boat trip. It was 10 to 1 by now, and there was a departure at 1.35, so that gave us time to have lunch and get back in good time. Except... we kept going forward, because I wanted a photo of the Houses of Parliament from this side of the river. But there were hardly any more food places after that. Finally we found a little something to eat. We turned back towards the boat pier, and queued at another place for a bit more food to supplement our meagre lunch, but we gave up when the line moved too slowly. But as we approached the pier, we saw the boat pulling away. At 1.25. What??? Apparently the times printed on the notice had nothing to do with today's actual departure times. It would be another 30 minutes until the next one. But all we could do was sit and wait, so we did.

Then things went pretty much according to the revised plan. It was a good boat trip, lasting about an hour. A cold wind blew quite enthusiastically in through the open windows as the boat went along the curves of the river, but it was still fine and sunny, so it was okay. When we arrived at Greenwich we walked up to the Observatory, and had another interesting wander around. We're both quite interesting in historical science (scientific history?) and it was fascinating to see the old telescopes and clocks. There was a long queue of people wanting to take a photo at the meridian line,

so I left it after a while, but when we came back outside later, I noticed the metal line continued and there was an unused spot that included the line, that no one was queuing for. Don't yet if the photo turned out, though.

The Observatory closed at 5, so we headed back down the hill. Stephen had noticed a pub advertising pie and mash, and had started salivating on the way up, so when we found it again, although it was early, we went in for a British beer in a British pub, in order to get ready for dinner there afterwards. They had a beer garden out the back, and so while enjoying the beer, I called the rental car company to book. But it didn't happen. The details that had been sorted out with the person I spoke to this morning were now no longer permissible, or at least unable to be guaranteed. And eventually the call cut off by itself (or maybe it was my cheek on the hang-up icon. It's really not in a good place on my phone) and I didn't bother calling again.

We had a nice meal (albeit quite slow) at the pub. It was me who that the pie and mash in the end, and Stephen (not unexpectedly) had the sausages and mash. No chips today! Any time on holiday, when almost all your meals are bought, a day without chips lets you feel very virtuous.

And home at 8 on the dot. I tried another rental car company online, and enjoyed success (at the booking stage at least.) Let's see how the actual picking up and setting off goes tomorrow...