Greenwich Park closes...the madness begins

Don't forget that most of Greenwich Park closes tomorrow for four weeks till 8 September. The Children’s Playground and parts of The Flower Garden will remain open, except on 30 July (for an Olympic Cross Country event). The Avenue is closed to cars till 1 October. The Royal Observatory will be closed on 7 July, reopening on 4 August. The National Maritime Museum will remain open throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Park alternatives:

Maryon Wilson Park: hilly, great views, bonus zoo (53 to Charlton House)
Southwark Park: flat, lovely groves and hidden places, bonus art galleries (47 to Surrey Quays)

Saturday Sunset

The view of the city on Saturday evening from the Observatory was smashing, only slightly ruined by the Olympic Equestrian site structures on the Queen's Field. The newly restored Cutty Sark and Dome (sorry, O2) were magically lit like Christmas trees. Locals should make the most of this before the park is closed to them in July.

Meanwhile, with quite a few security guards looking after the Olympic bits, it seems the Parks Police find it unneccessary to patrol the park to politely ask people to leave before they shut the gates, and nearly 50 stragglers (this author included) found themselves temporarily locked in the park on Saturday night, with the new security team unable to find a key for the main gates. Apparently, it's been happening quite a lot.