Greenwich, Winter Solstice 2001

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This panorama continues the Wrinkle In Time tradition of shooting QuickTime panoramas at the solstices and equinoxes, established by Robert Abbett in 1997.

A typical December night in London - a cold wind blowing rain from the north. A little cheer is provided by the Christmas tree atop the foremast of the tea Clipper Cutty Sark in its dry dock. Also in view is the south entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel under the Thames.

Panning to the right, another historic vessel comes into view - Gipsy Moth IV, in which Sir Francis Chichester circumnavigated the globe single-handed. He was knighted in the nearby Royal Naval College by Queen Elizabeth II, using the same sword with which Elizabeth I had knighted Francis Drake after his voyage round the world.

Further round, the river comes into view, with the towers of Canary Wharf lighting up the clouds. The bright row of lights further to the right is Greenwich Pier, from where many of the Thames boat trips depart.