Carpenter makes clocks

[Anonymous]

Finally after 9 years of desperately wanting to see John Harrison's clocks (I first read about him and them in 1995), I am going to get my chance. Yes, I am in Greenwich next Wednesday and will be in the royal observatory in awe of a genius carpenter who solved the most important problem in the last 1000 years and saved countless lives.

See the clocks (works of art) here.
http://home.clara.net/don.ainley/harrison.htm

And Greenwich info here:
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site/request/s...ntentTypeA/conWebDoc/contentId/355/viewPage/1

As an aside, there is a clock made entirely from wood that harrison made in the earlyish 1700's - he chose the wood so well that it runs now (300 years later) and does not require lubrication as he used lignum-vitae (an oily wood) for bearing parts.

http://www.alsa.ab.ca/alsnews/clock0212.htm


Cheers

Tony[/url]

 

[Neil]

Hi Tony,

The clocks are fantastic - well worth a visit. Don't miss the little button to activate the speaker on each display cabinet so that you can 'hear' a recording of the clock ticking...

Also check out the camera obscura whilst you are there.

Once you have seen the Harrison clocks, your next trip should be to Copenhagen to see Jens Olsen's Astronomical clock:



which is fabulous even though it doesn't quite measure up to the historical importance of Harrison's clocks.

NeilCFD

 

[Alf]

I can remember going to Greenwich years ago and being bored rigid by Harrison's clocks; I just wanted to get back to the Cutty Sark. Sigh. The idiocity of youth. Mind you, that was before he was made fashionable by "Longitude", so I wasn't the only one... :roll:

Bootiful clock, Neil. Thanks for the link.

Cheers, Alf

 

[johnjin]

Hi Tony
Thanks for that, a very interesting read.
There was some clever buggers about in the old days.

All the best

John

 

[Anonymous]

Neil

Jens Olsen's clcok is beautiful. On my list of things to see - hopefully won't have to wait 9 years this time though

Alf, the kids have the Cutty Sark on their list for this visit too - it's a family visit to london taking in the usual stuff, Kew, London eye ride etc. + staying overnight in Greenwich to give me max. opportunity to see all at the astronomical and nautical museums 8)
Tis true that we get sadder as we get older (well in my case it's true)

Cheers

Tony

 

[Alf]

Alf, the kids have the Cutty Sark on their list for this visit too - it's a family visit to london taking in the usual stuff, Kew, London eye ride etc. + staying overnight in Greenwich to give me max. opportunity to see all at the astronomical and nautical museums 8)

Sigh. I'm getting all homesick for Londinium now. Not that the London Eye even existed while I still lived there, but I walked past the spot many a time and oft on my way to the bookshops in Charing X Road (it was longish walk, but great on a sunny winter morning). Don't forget the figureheads in the bowels of the Cutty Sark; strangely eerie down there with all those faces gazing at a non-existant horizon. And Nelson's uniform with the bullet hole in the Maritime Museum of course. Always popular with a certain type of child. (Yes, I was that child - "Awww mum, I can't see the blood!") :roll: :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Bean]

Tony we were at Greenwich last october allow plenty of time for the visit, my girls were still excited after 4 1/2 hours of museum. Its really good.

If you are journeying for museums try the industry and technology museum in the northern parts of paris (Just off the ring road :twisted: ) Full size submarine in dry dock lots of hands on for the kids but in true french style it shuts for a 2 hour lunch.

Bean

 

[Anonymous]

brave man coming to greenwich at this time of year - school trip central and you can't move for groups of kids from all over Europe...

the museums are great - I don't go in as often as I should (I cycle past every day on my way to work) - and you'll definitely need both days if you want to do them justice. If you get a chance also see if you can get into tha painted hall in the old navel college

Can definitely recommend the Plume of Feathers near the north east corner of the park of you need some traditional london refreshment - Fullers

 

[Alf]

old navel college

Where they keep the fluff... (Sorry MP, couldn't resist )

 

[Anonymous]

old navel college

Where they keep the fluff... (Sorry MP, couldn't resist )

OK, so spellcheck is no substitute for proof reading....not that I remember to do that most times either

 

[Neil]

So how was Greenwich, Tony?

MP's 'navel college' typo reminded me of something which happened to me that you may find amusing.

I had to rent a van a couple of years ago to move some stuff, and I was in the office of the hire firm doing the necessary paperwork. The girl taking my details asked me for my occupation, and I replied 'Naval Architect'. She looked up from her PC, and said to me (in total seriousness) 'That sounds interesting... Is it something to do with bellybuttons?'

NeilCFD

 

[Anonymous]

HI Neil

Absolutely marvelous. Loved it. :wink:

Managed to see Kew too which I would highly recommend. Also the London eye was worth a 'flight' and there is a great Noodle Bar just around the corner.

I managed to get a few pictures of the clocks before the security guard 'kindly' pointed out the 'No photography' sign :twisted: :twisted:

Had to buy the postcards for others!


http://www.btinternet.com/~my.webs/Harr ... _Front.JPG

http://www.btinternet.com/~my.webs/Harrison/H1_Side.JPG

http://www.btinternet.com/~my.webs/Harr ... _Front.JPG

http://www.btinternet.com/~my.webs/Harrison/H2_Side.JPG

Cheers

Tony

 

[Neil]

Fantastic, Tony! We ran into the 'no photography' problem too, but only managed to take one photo before we got a polite reminder.

Even though H4 is a work of genius, I have to admit that H1 is my favorite...

NeilCFD

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Tony

It looks marvellous. I bet you really enjoyed yourselves.

Cheers
Neil