To Greenwich and the Astronomers Ball at the Royal Greenwich Observatory in southeast London. And what an unusual and remarkably interesting evening it was! In truth, I had never visited this august loication previously, so I had no idea what to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised at what I did experience.
On arrival, you can get to see and touch, what is claimed to be the oldest object on the planet. A rather large and hideously deformed metallic meteorite.
The event, hosted by my friends at the Polish Cultural institute and Secret Garden, was spread over the entire property with “pop-up” modules. One such event was a secret tour of the giant telescope (still the seventh largest in the world even after 150 years!), hosted, in costume by a suitably attired Mittel European girl, with her accomplice (foreground) who, becuase I happened upon the tour a little late, refused to tell me who she was and just glared!.
A "workshop" presented by two "starlets" in silver space suits explained to us the history of astronuats' food, and even took the trouble to ensure that we experienced first hand such marvelsd of culinary science with a pieceof dehydrated carrot and a tube of what looked like brown toothpaste - but could have been either beef extract or chocolate. I didn't try it!
The problem with eating biscuits in zero gravity was a problem because of crumbs that could get in the way of important equipment. This problem (we were told) was solved by coating the biscuit in jelly!
Another, and startlingly effective coup-de théatre was played by an actor and actress in Dutch attire of the 15th Century explaining their fear of the Church, but keen to impart their astronomical knowledge, then, somewhat spookily distracted by my camera!
Elsewhere, an intergalactic travel bureau had been set up where you could book a trip into space and visit all the sights of the planets. The two girls I filmed were about to be charged 33 million Pounds (about $50 million). Sounded like a bargain to me, but they remained to be convinced!
Many chose to dress up for the evening.
The Museum’s shop remained open throughout the event, where one could purchase a very good value (I thought) high powered “beginner’s” telescope for a mere £150.00.
At the end of the hill beside the observatory is the wonderful, romantic and highly spectacular view across the river to Canary Wharf and its environs.
Time, for me, stood still…..
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