Jurassic World: The Exhibition

 

Time to get up-close-and-personal with some dinosaurs.

Thursday October 27, 2022.

Having travelled back in time, in 2018, to see Dinosaurs in the Wild, for Keilyn's 5th birthday, it was only right that we should take a trip to Isla Nublar to visit the Jurassic World Park.

We arrived at the port and took our place in the queue to have our photo taken with some dinosaurs, before we waited in line for our ferry to Isla Nublar.

Advertising for Jurassic World.

The trip to the island was uneventful, considering that the previous ferry had been attacked by a dinosaur on its return journey. We did, however, spot a flock of Pterodactyls soaring majestically through the air.

Erin and Keilyn preparing to enter Jurassic World.

Once we had disembarked we made our way through the Jurassic World gates, which were made from the reclaimed wood from the original Jurassic Park gates, and came face to face with a Brachiosaurus. 

The Brachiosaurus, a gentle giant.

There was a raised area from which to gain a better view and the entire area had binoculars, which allowed you look down into Gyrosphere Valley, where various dinosaurs could be spotted.

Looking through the binoculars into Gyrosphere Valley.

Passing beyond the Brachiosaurus and through the deep jungle we cam across an animal transport truck. The truck began rocking from side-to-side and a rumbling roar could be heard from within. Soon the head, and upper body, of a Stygimoloch peered over the back of the truck at us. 

A Stygimoloch not happy with its transport.

Not wanting to hang around, in case it escaped, we hurried into the Hammond Creation Lab. 

Information.

The lab was seriously hi-tec and was covered in screens, which showed how DNA was extracted, while others showed information of the dinosaurs on the island. Incubators were also dotted around, with some containing unhatched eggs, or sleeping baby Parasaurolophus. Other containers held various 'dino-poo', which allowed you to feel the different textures between that excreted from and omnivore, herbivore and carnivore.

Baby Parasaurolophus in the Hammond Creation Lab.

'MV Royal Iris'

A forlorn sight.

As I was wandering along the River Thames from Greenwich to Woolwich, I spotted this rusting hulk, moored on the quayside, just east of the Thames Barrier.

She looked like a ferry, but not one that I was use to seeing on this particular river, so I knew that I would have to do some research, when I had finished my walk.

Pearly Kings and Queens

Pearly Kings and Queens.

Considering every Borough of London has a Pearly King and Queen, it is rare that I have ever seen them. So, I was quite pleased to see some out and about during the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

They were friendly and more than happy to pose for photos, as the crowds dissipated following the funeral procession.

As this was one of the first times that I seen them up close, I thought that I had better find out more about them.

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

Of the roughly fifteen military barracks, within London, the guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are, quite possibly, the most easily recognised. 

King's Life Guard.

Known as the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals these are the monarch's bodyguard and can be seen, daily, at Horse Guards Parade, which is the ceremonial entrance to Buckingham Palace.

Blues and Royals.

Most notably they perform ceremonial duties throughout the year, such as the State Opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour, Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle, State visits, etc..

Great Fire of Tooley Street

On Saturday June 22, 1861, at about 16:00, a fire was spotted in Cotton's Wharf, on Tooley Street. It is believed to have been started when a worker in the wharf dropped a cigarette, but this is not confirmed. 

Despite Cotton's Wharf having sturdy fire protection, the surrounding buildings were less protected and the fire spread quickly, especially with the goods held in Cotton's Wharf. These included rice, tallow, hemp, jute and sugar. 

At around 17:00 the London Fire Engine Establishment were informed and joined the two private fire engines, from a local distiller, that were already on the scene.

By 18:00 there were 14 fire engines trying to extinguish the blaze. The River Thames was at low tide, so the river fire engine could not be used as it was unable to draw water from the shallow water.

Soon, though, the blaze became so great that the fire engines were forced to retreat as spice warehouses caught light, distributing spices into the air.