24 June 2015 - Another day in London

Paddington Recreation Ground was established in 1890 for the people of this area by Lord Randolph Churchill and continues to be used by many.  There is a properly paved athletic track and exercise area as well as several playgrounds, walking tracks and playing fields.  The kids and I had a bit of fun and a bit of exercise there with the locals.  One woman, completely burqa-ed, tried her best to do a bit of exercise but what could she do with her long black robe twisting around her feet? Very little, from my observation.

Paddington Recreation Ground - old club rooms still used by many.

 Luke then willingly read three books and designed dinosaur cards and the others continued their school work.

Science Museum: Babbage's brain!

Our accommodation often feels cramped and with no access to a garden we need to get outside and have space.  We are so blessed in Australia to have that space, and so used to it! When we were finally all ready to go out, mid afternoon, we set off for the Science Museum, on our familiar track along the canal and through the Kensington Gardens.  It is really very lovely to be able to walk to so many places in this big city.

ERNIE 1

Spiel about ERNIE 1

 Tim had not yet been to the Science Museum and especially enjoyed the history of computers and  telephones.  Even Annika, our reluctant museum goer, enjoyed the many hands on buttons and interactive exhibits.  It is quite astounding how far computers have progressed in such a short amount of time.  Where would we be without our devices and calculators - certainly not undertaking distance education via downloads and uploads!!

Beautiful set of 3D shapes - I would LOVE a box like this! They look like jewels.

Mobius strips

Phones have changed!

I remember really wanting my parents to get one of these wall mounted phones instead of the old grey one which sat on our kitchen bench: the wall mounted ones seemed so sophisticated!

Telephone exchange...my Granny used to operate one of these!

Marconi short wave transmitter 1927 - Messages could go to Egypt and Japan!

 I learnt all sorts of things including how to use an abacus and a slide rule and was intrigued by the other now obsolete calculators.  All of which have been superseded by the computers we have ready access to today.  The clunky big machines which produced great heat and slow but marvellous results now stand encased for us all to remember how things were. 

Foucault's Pendulum

Despite all the amazing computer technology and advancement, the Foucault's Pendulum and actually seeing the movement of the earth would have to be one of my favourite exhibits!  We stayed until closing time and decided we would walk back home.

Interesting!

Squirrel whisperer

In the early evening, we know we'll always see the wild rabbits grazing and the squirrels playing in the Gardens so we took the "Squirrel Path" and were again delighted by the squirrels' antics.

Curiosity!