Location: London (Greenwich), United Kingdom

As the ship went up the Thames River to London we had to pass the Thames flood control barrier. I had seen pictures but never traveled thru it.

I made an action-packed video. Thrills!

Along the way the tugs turned the ship around and backed us to our mooring in the middle of the river near Greenwich. We passed the Millennium Dome – there has been a lot of building development there since I was last the area in 2006.

I have visited London several time when I lived in northern England (2002 – 2006), but I never made it to Greenwich. I only had a few hours so I walked to the Royal Observatory, which was in view from the ship (and vice versa).

Along the way I passed the Cutty Sark, one of the last (and fastest) tea clippers. One of my fellow cruise guests says he was on board during its last voyage in 1954.

On the ground I found a cool dolphin sun dial that uses the shadow from their tails to indicate the time.

I walked thru the various Observatory buildings and straddled the Prime Meridian.

But then I noticed a little plaque talking about how satellites have changed it. Seem the Earth’s not quite circular enough.

I finished my walking circuit by passing the old Royal Naval College. For you Marvel movie buffs, the end scenes from Thor – The Dark World was filmed there.

Final Day

I fly home tomorrow morning, and I still have some packing to do. To confirm my cruise, I received a certificate. 133 sailing days, 33,252 nautical miles. It’s been fun.