When London’s Big Ben began ticking in 1859 it became the most accurate clock in the world, which makes one wonder why so many important laws take so long to get through Parliament and eventually The House of Lords. However, the inaccuracy regarding this particular timepiece is that Big Ben isn’t its real name, only a nickname. It was officially and originally called The Great Bell of The Great Clock of Westminster. Big Ben is actually the name of the largest of the clocktower’s five bells, weighing thirteen tons. It didn’t tick-tock for four years, from 2017 to 2021 due to repairs. So, who overwound it then?
It also claims to be the most photographed clock in the world and that really is an insignificant boast that no-one gives a damn about so it is time to tick-tock along to the next cockney rhyming slang, so keep your hair on.
To continue reading this chapter click on this absolutely stunning picture I painted not unlike Velazquez.
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