Predicting Existence

This is somewhat off-topic or off-trend - well, different. I've seen this story a number of times in different ways, but it has always struck me that when you have a theory that allows you to make specific predictions that are ultimately proven correct, even more than 40 years later, you've got a pretty powerful tool.

Short version - after examining a very unique species of orchid, Mr. Darwin predicted that a very unique species of moth must exist in order to propigate the orchid species - and guess what - 41 years later someone found it.

The moth Xanthopan morgani praedicta and the star orchid Angraecum sesquipedale

British Ordnance Survey Maps - Downe House

The maps I ordered from the Ordnance Survey in GB finally were finally delivered. Personalized maps (their OS Select product) centered on Downe House (well, on the postal code for Downe House - so in reality they're probably centered on the village of Downe). The red map is their "Landranger" series at a 1:50,000 scale (2 cm = 1 km; 1.5 inches to 1 mile); the orange map is their "Explorer" series at a scale of 1:25,000 (4 cm = 1 km - 2.5 inches to 1 mile). Whats really cool is that you have the option of titling the maps - "Downe House, Visiting Mr. Darwin June, 2007" really personalizes the maps for the upcoming pilgrimage. Anyway, The Ordnance Survey is to GB what the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) is to the States. Great source of travel and place information for anywhere in GB. I think I'm going to have a great deal of fun with these maps, both in these posts and on the actual trip.

Route Canary Warf to Downe Village

Test Journey Planner Route Canary Warf (London) to Downe Village:

All about the village of Downe

Village of Downe

The Hand of Mr. Darwin

Hand drawings from Mr. Darwin's notebooks + a podcast titled "Understanding Charles Darwin" - I have not listened to the podcast, but the drawings are great!

Old Travel Advisory - Reserved Tickets?

An old 1998 travel advisory from the NY Times indicates that trckets to Downe House must be reserved at least 1 day in advance -

Down House is on Luxted Road, Downe, Kent. It is open through Oct. 31, Wednesday to Sunday 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. or dusk; and from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, Wednesday to Sunday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Entrance is by timed tickets, which must be reserved at least a day in advance and cost $8.60, $4.30 for children. Telephone: (44-870) 603-0145.

Hiatus??

Been a loooong time since my last post, but I’m not worried since this blog is mainly for my personal satisifaction and use. Frankly, I have not really had much Darwinian to say – very busy.

However recently I realized I’m only about six months from the pilgrimage to Downe and it seems that I’ve become somewhat obsessed about getting there – you know, maps, transport and the like. I been scouring the web about travel options.

Some interesting (and possibly useful) “getting there” sites I’ve uncovered:

Biggin Hill Bus Routes
London Bus Routes
Transport for London - Journey Planner
London Borough Map
BBC London Travel
Ordinance Maps
Transport for London
Transport for London - Street Management
Street Map - UK
Story of Biggin Hill
Tube Guru
Docklands Light Railway
Orpington Railway Station
Map of London
MultiMap - Map of UK
London Hotels