'Alunatime', by Laura Williams, was launched on the Full Moon of October 22, 2010, and is the first, live 'real time' graphical notation of light and time.
It shows the lunar phases (wax and wane), the lunar day (rise and set) and tide cycles (ebb and flow). Governed by the relative position of the Earth, Moon and Sun, these fundamental rhythms have shaped our past and will continue to determine our future.
The Moon creates our tides and, with 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water, understanding the rising tides brought on by climate change, is becoming more important than ever.
Walking around the Greenwich Peninsula you will discover that the area is full of Public Art. Whether it be a small sculpture, interactive installations, a slice of a ship or a signpost, there is a lot to discover.
Many of these are created by internationally renowned artists, that include Anthony Gormley, Alex Chinneck, and Damien Hirst.
Keilyn with the 'Demon with Bowl' sculpture.
It is the latter that has installed an 18 metre (60 foot) sculpture on the peninsula, outside the Greenwich Peninsula terminal of the London Cable Car.
One of the pieces of public art, along the Olympian Way, that I nearly didn't notice was this custom signpost.
Signposts are commonplace, no matter where you go, so at first I paid this one no mind. It wasn't until I saw a blue information post closeby, that I realised what the signpost was.
Northwest of the O2 Arena, along Olympian Way, there is a vertical slice of a ship, stood next to the bank. It is a strange sight to behold, looking like the remnants of some ocean disaster, but it is not.
The clean lines where the ship has been cut allow you to see the inner decks, gangways and the inner hull.
As it turns out, this is no accident, but rather a sculpture by Richard Wilson.
Continuing my blogs about the various pieces of public art to be found along the Olympian Way, around the Greenwich Peninsula, I give you what I consider to be the strangest... 'Liberty Grip' by Gary Hume.
If you wander along the Olympian Way, which is part of the Thames Path around the Greenwich Peninsula, you will see numerous pieces of Public Art. There is 'The Tide', 'Here', 'A Slice of Reality' and more.
One of the most intriguing ones, that I have found, is 'Tribe and Tribulation' by Serge Attukwei Clottey.
Greenwich Peninsula is an ever-changing place to visit. From its massive Peninsula Square with its water fountains, its boutique market and shops and, of course, the MillenniuM Dome, or the O2 Arena is now known, there is always lots to see and do.
Looking down on Peninsula Square.
The riverside walk, towards Woolwich, has been cleaned up and now offers great places to sit and watch the activity of the River Thames.
'The Tide' from the riverside.
While the Olympian Way, which leads on to the Thames Path, offers great views across to the Isle of Dogs and the various public art along that part of the route.
You are never far from the Greenwich Meridian.
One of the newest features, of the Peninsula, is 'The Tide', which is London's first-ever riverside linear park. This raised walkway allows you to sit above the bustle of Peninsula Square and relax.
Having been to London, as a family, the previous day, Keilyn decided that she hadn't seen enough and wanted another walk. So, following an early start we made our way to North Greenwich, from where our walk eastward was to begin.
We made our way from the station to The Tide, a raised walkway that allows for great views over Peninsula Square and leads you to Olympian Way beside the River Thames.
The Mermaid by Damien Hirst.
The first sculpture we saw was 'The Mermaid' by Damien Hirst, quickly followed by Anthony Gormley's 'Quantum Cloud'.
The riverside has changed a lot, since I last walked along it. With its landscaped gardens, seating and barbeque areas it has become a nice place to relax on a summer's evening.
Thames Pathway.
Keilyn takes a rest.
We followed Olympian Way towards the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, spotting the 'Hydra & kira' sculpture enroute.
Hydra and Kali by Damien Hirst.
After we passed the Greenwich Yacht Club the area became more industrial and unkept, harking back to this areas commercial and manufacturing past.
Tarmac Charlton Concrete Plant.
Moving on to Riverside the sun had begun to beat down on us and the breeze, which had kept us cool earlier, had now disappeared.
Considering that I had only seen Iron Maiden perform just 15 months before, I, and my friend David, were intrigued as to what to expect just over a year later.
Word had gone round that this would be a completely new experience with a whole new stage set and design. Old classics would be dusted off and newer ones left out. A greatest hits tour? No. Definitely not! Instead a story would be told through four very different parts. The stage would change to match each part and there would be other surprises. These included an inflatable Spitfire, that loomed out over the stage, complete with spinning propellor, pyrotechnics, Eddie T Head, umpteen costume changes, by Bruce Dickinson and a dual flamethrower among other things.
Once again David and I met at Kings Cross, then ate and drank our way to River Thames. Once again we boarded a Thames Clipper, surrounded by Iron Maiden fans of all generations, and headed for the Greenwich Peninsula.
Unlike 2017 the support act were the awful Killswitch Engage, who proceeded to drive the Iron Maiden fans back out to the bar areas.
Knowing that we had plenty of time we had deliberately paced ourselves, so, knowing exactly where our seats were, took our time, thereby saving our eardrums.
Not long after the noise of the support act had left the building, we made our way to our seats, bursting with an anticipation that could be felt trying to burst out of every fan in the arena.
And, boy, we were not disappointed.
As the sounds of their cover of UFO's Doctor Doctor, played from tape, played around the arena, their was a silence that I had never heard at an Iron Maiden concert. The silence didn't last, as Winston Churchill's 'We shall fight them' speech, again played from tape, bellowed from the speakers. The crowd erupted and, as the stage lights came up, the familiar sound of Aces High began. At which point the aforementioned virtually full-size Spitfire, flew above the stage, strafing those in the front, before turning and crashing behind a mountain of amps. This was followed by Where Eagles Dare, 2 Minutes to Midnight, The Clansman and The Trooper. A theme of war pervading the songs.
The set changed from a camouflage draped staged set to a cathedral like setting, complete with stained-glass windows. Even Nicko's drum kit matched the cathedral's stained-glass and, atop his bass drum, Sooty was wearing a Trooper jacket.
Then it was straight into Revelations which was swiftly followed by For the Greater Good of God, The Wicker Man, Sign of the Cross and Flight of Icarus. Then Fear of the Dark was followed by The Number of the Beast and finally Iron Maiden.
For the encore they belted out The Evil That Men Do, Hallowed Be Thy Name and, to round the night off, Run To the Hills.
We left to the sound of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, with a sense of euphoria that I had never experienced before.
This tour is continuing onto 2020, so if you get the chance get a ticket.
We arrived early, which gave us a chance to use the facilities, before we boarded our timepod, following our safety briefing in which we also received special glasses, that would allow is to see through the reinforced windows.
It took only a few seconds to travel back 67 million years, at which point our timepod deployed its wheels, converting it into a X90 CTP land vehicle, and we headed to Timebase 67.
A few scary moments as some dinosaurs took an interest in our vehicle, with one clambering over the window, as it tried to get on the roof, but, otherwise, it was a plenty journey ambling past some Alamosaurus, Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Dakotaraptor and many more.
We disembarked and went into the visitor's centre, where our guide explained where we were and what we would see. Around the walls various CCTV screens showed the goings on around the base: Living quarters, hospital, canteen, dry store, various laboratories, workshops, gym and various other areas of the Timebase.
A groundbreaking shovel.
After a good look at some of the press clippings, commemorative plaques and other paraphernalia on the walls we headed into a laboratory, where there were some great exhibits on show: A forearm from a Tyrannosaurus, various dinosaur brains, an Alamosaurus heart, various bugs and even dinosaur droppings!!! Many of these items could be handled, making it a real educational environment.
The eyes and brainstem of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
From here we then went on to see the autopsy of an Alamosaurus: This included the removal of some internal organs and the sawing off of the cranial plate, to expose the brain. Luckily the autopsy took place behind a glass screen, so we were in no danger of getting covered in blood.
Preparing for the autopsy of a dinosaur.
The hatchery was next, on the experience, where we could see various dinosaur nests. While we were there a baby Dilophoraptor hatched, which they named Keilyn Raptor, after the birthday girl herself.
A baby Keilyn Raptor.
The animal labs, nocturnal and daylight, were next, before we headed up to the Lookout Platform.
With huge windows and touchscreen information terminals, there was much to see and do. While we watching the dinosaurs, in their natural habitat, a vehicle outside one of the windows was attacked by a pair of Ankylosaurus. The vehicle suffered some severe damage and its occupants were forced to leave the burning X90 CTP. Our guides, who realised what was happening, dispatched some men in Hazmat suits to rescue the stranded visitors. At this point a pride of Tyrannosaurus approached the Timebase and we were hurriedly forced to evacuate.
Some Tyrannosaurs ready to attack the Timebase.
While some guides led us through some dark tunnels, other guides, armed to the teeth, stayed behind to buy us some escape time. We headed into a lift that took us down to sub level 4, where, we headed in to another corridor. The roof of this corridor was made of glass, giving an amazing view of an underwater world. However, we were soon forced to crouch low to the ground as a Prognathodon peered down at us, no doubt thinking we were food.
Soon, though, we made our way to the emergency escape pods which, after a minor technical issue, returned us to 2018.
Dinosaurs in the Wild is part educational, part expedition, but 100% awesome. Suitable for all ages, although some very young children may find some of the expedition a bit scary, I would thoroughly recommend it as a destination.
Click the link below to see lots more photographs of our adventure.
Highlights of Iron Maiden's Book of Souls Tour, 2017, at the O2 Arena.
Saturday May 27, 2017.
Following the release of their latest, and possibly best, album, Iron Maiden were touring the world again. And, once again, David and myself would meet up in London, make a day of it and enjoy the concert.
Once again we met, ate and drank, before taking the Thames Clipper which was full of Iron Maiden fans to the Greenwich Peninsula.
Unlike 4 years ago, we made a point of watching the support act, Shinedown, as they were meant to be really good live. Now, any Iron Maiden fan, worth his salt, will tell you that the support act is there to fill the void before the main event and is usually an act being given the chance to play the big arenas. This time, however, things were different. Shinedown were electric and worked the crowd well. It was almost like they were the main act.
Having said that, when Iron Maiden did finally take to the stage, everything else was forgotten. As usual Iron Maiden blew everyone away.
Following the encore we made our way out of the arena and back to the Thames Clipper, and were homeward bound.
Friday October 3, 2014. The MillenniuM Dome, or the O2 Arena as it is currently known, is one of my favourite places, in the Unfinished City. Whether I am there to see a concert or an exhibition, grab a bite to eat or to have a drink, or just to wander around, there is always something to see.
This shot was taken from the Emirates Air Line, as the sun was setting behind Canary Wharf.
Highlights of Iron Maiden's Maiden England Tour, 2013, at the O2 Arena.
Saturday August 3, 2013.
Back in 1982, when I was 10, I bought my first 7-inch single; 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden. Ever since I have been a huge fan, seeing them in various venues across the country.
However, it had been quite a while since I had seen them live, due to a growing family, work and the like.
Thankfully, an old work colleague, David, put on social media that he had a spare ticket to the concert and was looking for someone to go with. I jumped at the chance.
We arranged to meet in London, near Kings Cross, and make a day of it.
Considering that we hadn't seen each other in around 15 years, it was like we had never been apart. Meandering our way down to the River Thames, via a few pubs, we headed for the Thames Clipper and made our way to Greenwich Peninsula.
After a few drinks of Trooper inside the dome, we made our way in to the Arena proper.
We had deliberately missed the support act, but that was of no real concern as they were not who we, or any of the other Maiden fans, had paid to see.
Suffice to say, Iron Maiden were on top form and were absolutely amazing.
Saturday October 13, 2012. I absolutely love travelling across the River Thames, via the London Dangleway, even though it is simpler, and cheaper, to stay on the Jubilee Line and travel below the River Thames.
Sunset from the Dangleway.
The reason for this is the novelty, which still hasn't worn off after countless flights, and the views which are unique. On a clear day you can see The Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf, The Shard, the Olympic Park, the Old Royal Naval College and, if you get your timing right, some spectacular sunsets.
The day started with Emma, Erin and myself heading to Rickmansworth, in the morning, just for a change.
We got a bus there and started to mooch around the charity shops. A few good bargains were found and then we checked out the other shops. Soon, Erin started to get hungry, so we headed to 'Caffè Nero's' so that we could feed her and we could have a sit down.
We then had another mooch, before getting a bus home. After a spot of lunch, I headed upstairs to change my clothes and get ready for the afternoon and evening.
Len arrived just after 15:30 and, after he had got changed out of his work gear, we each had a beer and headed off to Watford Metropolitan station. We took the train, which was one of the new trains, to Finchley Road, where we changed to the Jubilee line and continued our journey.
We arrived at North Greenwich just after 18:15 and headed towards the O2 Arena. Since the doors to the show didn't open until 19:00, we decided to head into the 'American Sports Bar & Grill' for a drink. We then went to the 'Union Square Bar', as it was closer to the arena doors, for another drink.
At 19:00 we bought a souvenir programme each and joined the queue to enter the arena. Within moments we were through and heading up the escalator into the Arena proper. We then made our way down the steps to find our seats were on the Arena floor, about 60 feet from the stage.
I think we were both surprised at how fast the O2 Arena filled up and the differences in ages. Toddlers, children, teenagers, young couples all the way through to the elderly. Some people were dressed as Elvis, while others were there for the pure entertainment factor.
