Aviva  Armchair Adventures

Even in the middle of a glorious "British Summer", there are days when we are less inclined to venture out in the rain, and when winter draws on we are even lesser inclined, so let us suggest an interesting "Visit" that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own armchair, without getting your slippers wet — or it could even tempt you to plan a closer look, when the weather is more inviting. Settle down with a cuppa and a packet of Hobnobs, and take a look into a subject that might be more interesting than you would ever have thought... (click on the blue links below to read more)

From 89ft in 1078, to 309.6 metres today, read about the history of tall buildings in the City of London (or CLICK HERE for Wikipedia's detailed list and biography of the tallest buildings in London)   Explore the unexpected history of the birth and evolution of the Insurance Industry   Learn about the genesis of Crystal Palace Park, and take a virtual walk through the world of its Grade I Listed Dinosaurs   Read how one man's obsession lead to the extraordinary Museum of Brands, which we visited in 2023   Recall your misspent youth, and relive the glory days of the 1960s and '70s, with a look at the history of the infamous Eel Pie Island   One place we enjoy visiting on our day off is the spectacular "Cathedral in the Marshes" in Abbey Wood, which does host guided tours, but sadly it's not easily accessible by public transport ...   ... and here's also a link to their fascinating online exhibition, explaining so much you never realised you were straining to know   Bow Street Police Museum tells us about Victorian fashion and criminal misuse of the bustle and the scandalous Victorian persecution of the first women in Bloomers   What did the Romans ever do for us? Learn about the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain*   Find out more about the Roman invasion in a short, interesting history of Richborough Fort*, the site of the invasion — and a car journey of under two hours from Croydon   Want to know who invented the Lawnmower? An Englishman, of course — and, if you like, you can read his story or about the rise and fall of the companies which made the machines that gave us grass with stripes   While we're on the subject of inventors, Wikipedia contains a useful List of Inventors and their inventions — and for those with a ghoulish streak, a list of unlucky inventors whose demise was related to their own innovation   If you already like museums, here's a handy comprehensive guide although, unfortunately, you may actually need to venture outside to visit some of these   But if it's a nice day, and you think you might be up for a walk, take a look at the website of Southwark Council, which contains a set of printable, illustrated walking maps based around South London locations (the maps are full of interesting information, even when read from a sitting position)

If you have a favourite website you'd like to share with other Members, we would be very happy to hear about it. Please email details to avivafellowshipcroydon@outlook.com

Chris Hall Website Manager Aviva Fellowship Croydon Area

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