Greenwich Park and Chatham Dockyards.

Last week, Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and Raphy visited us for a few days.  And we spent a lovely few days taking the children out and about, namely Greenwich Park and Chatham Dockyards.   

The trip to Greenwich Park was in very cold weather, but undeterred we set off to see the sights.    Raphy was very cosy in his snugly buggy blanket.  I kept warm pushing the buggy, especially when we walked back up the hill, after visiting the playground at the bottom of the hill.

We lined up for a photo shoot, alongside all the other tourists.  And as usual there were plenty of tourists.

Walter took Mia and Abi into the Royal Observatory, and for a look at the Meridian Line.   They were very impressed with all the clocks on display.

And looking down the hill, we saw the Olympic equestrian venue being built on the flat land below the Observatory.    And what a superb place for a venue, lucky people with tickets for this event.

The stables for the horses and accommodation for grooms and riders were being built outside the main gates on Blackheath.     So I suppose the area will soon be closed to Londoners.   But even now there is quite a substantial police presence in the area.

On Friday we went to Chatham Dockyards, where I was able to get Mia and Abi in on Jackson and Isabel's tickets.   Tickets last for a whole year, and are not transferable for adults but are for children.   This makes it a very reasonably priced place for an outing for grandparents with lots of grandchildren.   We like places like this.  The sun was also shining, and considerably warmer than the previous day.

While Walter, Aaron, Mia and Abi went to see how rope is made, I took Raphy to the restaurant so that I could have a quiet cup of coffee.   Raphy ate a large chocolate biscuit.    We were both very happy.   The others enjoyed the Ropery and Abi was given a small piece of rope, as a reward for holding the travelling trolley, while the rope was being made.   Well done Abi.

After a packed lunch in the very comfortable inside lunch room, with a soft play area at one end, we set off to inspect the ships and submarine.

The submarine is on blocks in a dry dock, so you can walk underneath it and examine it closely.   It is very unnerving to walk underneath such a big black monster.   The blocks underneath the submarine look very fragile.   Not for the faint hearted.   But going inside is very claustrophobic, and not for everyone.   Abi only lasted five minutes and had to come out again.   Mia and Walter thought it was fantastic.

Raphy did not even get a chance to find out if he liked the inside of the submarine, as he stayed outside with me.   He did walk underneath the submarine though, and loved all the steps down and up.

Then it was time to walk around the sailing ship.   Abi and Raphy were fascinated by the glass floor which gave a view of the rudder area, now just a big gap.

Aaron listened very carefully to the story of the ship.

The final visit was to the warship where Raphy climbed up and down the stairs with ease.   He really enjoyed exploring all the areas in the ship, and was fascinated by the little rooms on board.  

Mia and Abi rather liked the idea of being in charge, and found that they could both sit on the Captain's chair together.

We visited the Wooden Walls Gallery which is based on the true story of the construction of the Valiant, a 74 gun ship-of-the-line, at Chatham during 1758-59.  It tells the story of an apprentice and his master as they tour the dockyards during the construction of the ship.   Unfortunately cameras were not allowed to be used in the building.  Mia and Abi were very impressed with the displays and story, but Raphy fell asleep.   All those stairs he climbed up and down, tired him out.

We finally completed our day with a visit to the Covered Slipways which now house military vehicles, ships and a comprehensive display of lifeboats.

Raphy was most impressed with this 'digger'.   He loves all digging machines, and there are plenty to see where he lives in Holland.  But I think that this one is the biggest one he has ever seen.

I love the windows in the Covered Slipway building.   But I stayed on the ground, while the others went up onto the mezzanine floor.  

A great family day out, which we all enjoyed very much.  Kylie went shopping at Bluewater, and I believe she had a lovely day there too, shopping and generally relaxing.