Books About Town (2nd July – 15th September 2014) The Greenwich trail
The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy bookbench (artist Deven Bhurke) This week’s post covers the remaining 12 bookbenches on the Greenwich trail. I started near Greenwich DLR station. Notice the question mark in the design. What’s the answer Hitchhiker fans ?
The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy bookbench (artist Deven Bhurke). “The answer to life, the universe and everything” is 42. Quote is from the wonderful book and radio comedy series by writer Douglas Adams.
Samuel Johnson’s Wild World bookbench (artist Scriberia) was a few streets away, on a corner opposite the police station. In 1755 the writer Samuel Johnson published A Dictionary of the English Language.
Samuel Johnson’s Wild World bookbench (artist Scriberia).
Frozen in Time bookbench (artist Charles Bezzina). This was at the rear of the National Martime Museum. I love the juxtaposition of the men in the frozen Antarctic with the men eating ice cream behind it.
Frozen in Time bookbench (artist Charles Bezzina) Captain Scott was a member of the Royal Navy and this bench celebrates his diary of the Terra Nova expedition in the Antarctic.
I headed into Greenwich Park towards the bench that was the farthest away on my map. On my way there I glimpsed the book bench in this photograph. According to my map it looked like it could be one of two, Time Machine or The Jungle Book.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt bookbench (artists Helen Oxenbury/Gerard Strong). This bench is the first one that I looked for in the park. It was tucked away in the flower garden, overlooking a pretty pond.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt bookbench (artists Helen Oxenbury/Gerard Strong). The words to this children’s book were written by Michael Rosen.
The Time Machine bookbench (artist Di Ralston). This was the only bench that was wrongly placed on the map and I almost missed it. This lookout point is very close to the Observatory. The bench celebrates the science fiction novel by HG Wells.
The Time Machine bookbench (artist Di Ralston). The design on that bench is of a padded seat. And the couple eating their lunch did not want to be interrupted when at least 3 people descended them, just after this photo was taken, to ask them if they would stand up so they could see it.
The Jungle Book bookbench (artist Ruth Green). Celebrating Rudyard Kiplings’ novel set in India.
The Jungle Book bookbench (artist Ruth Green). This was the bench I’d spied from a distance on my way up the hill towards the Observatory.
The Jungle Book bookbench (artist Ruth Green). I’d met these two ladies earlier on the trail and I was glad to see them enjoy a rest on the bench.
Elmer the Elephant bookbench (artists David McKee/Giles Boardman). I really enjoyed chatting with this lady who was most passionate about the quality of the tessellated patterns on it.
Elmer the Elephant bookbench (artists David McKee/Giles Boardman)
Elmer the Elephant bookbench (artists David McKee/Giles Boardman). This bench was also in Greenwich Park.
On the Origin of the Species bookbench (artist Jane Veveris Callan). This bench was near to where I’d entered the park but somehow I’d missed it.
On the Origin of the Species bookbench (artist Jane Veveris Callan. The book being celebrated is written by the scientist Charles Darwin about his theory of evolution.
Girl Engrossed bookbench (artist Andrea Joseph). I nearly didn’t find this one either because it was down a narrow pedestrian street which was hard to spot. It lead onto a green behind the church.
Girl Engrossed bookbench (artist Andrea Joseph). The Girl is a character from Sue Townsend’s series of humorous novels about the teenager Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4.
Girl Engrossed bookbench (artist Andrea Joseph)
The Canterbury Tales bookbench (artist Beth Quinton). Created to celebrate Chaucer’s medieval tales, this bench was in front of the Naval College. And it was a popular resting spot, occupied every time I went passed.
The Railway Children bookbench (artist One Red Shoe). This one was also in the Naval College grounds.
The Railway Children bookbench (artist One Red Shoe). It was another popular resting spot and this gentleman acted as if he couldn’t see us.
The Railway Children bookbench (artist One Red Shoe). I passed by sometime later and from a distance the bench was empty. But as I got nearer, these young guys plonked themselves down for a rest. However they were very happy to stand up so I could see the full design.
The Railway Children bookbench (artist One Red Shoe).Written by E Nesbit, the book was a childhood favourite of mine. I automatically hear this line when I look the painting. “Get off the line Bobby!” call Peter and Phyllis to their older sister Roberta, who is trying to stop the train and prevent an accident.
Samuel Pepys’ Diary bookbench (artist Michel Petit-Jean). Pepys also had a naval connection. He was a naval administrator and MP in 17th Century London.
Samuel Pepys’ Diary bookbench (artist Michel Petit-Jean). He’s famous for his private diaries first published in the 19th Century. And that is the end of the Greenwich trail. It was the longest one to walk and took nearly 2 hours to cover. The exhibition ends this weekend. On 7th October, the bookbenches will be auctioned to raise money for the National Literacy Trust.
"Notice what you notice..." 