Blackheath

Walk to Greenwich and have a look at the newly refurbished Rose & Crown, which is opening tomorrow. The layout appears to be much the same, and the new decor looks OK - a bit more "gin palace" than before. Chat to one of the workmen outside who assures me that the downstairs toilets have been completely renovated.

Continue up Crooms Hill and onto Blackheath. A few kite-boarders and other kite fliers out today, but not so many as I might have expected given that it is a clear and sunny Sunday with a decent enough stiff (if very cold) breeze. One of the kite-boarders even manages to take-off for a few seconds at the end of each run.


Vanbrugh Castle, Maze Hill, Greenwich

Walk across to Blackheath Village, which has become even more up-market than I remembered, then back around the southern side and across the heath to Vanbrugh Park and down Maze Hill. Took a look at Vanbrugh Castle before going into Greenwich Park. I've not been into the east side of the park for a long time. It is a bit quieter than the west side and the views from One Tree Hill are excellent. Also notice that the old "gaol" oak actually collapsed in 1991 (which shows how long it was since I was last in this part of the park), and is now just a slowly rotting hollow log (although still a very large one).

Walked round to the Royal Observatory and had a look at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition in the Astronomy Galleries.

Back across the Park to Royal Hill for a pint of Adnams at the Prince of Greenwich.

Walk: Home - Greenwich - Blackheath - Greenwich Park: 6.5 miles

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