Portsmouth Day 2

Pictures: The H.M.S. Victory, The Admiral's table HMS Victory, Life Size figure of Lord Nelson

Tuesday June 15, 2010

Awoke in Portsmouth and declined breakfast at the hotel for 10 quid (that's 10 pounds or about $16.50) for each one of us. We took the bus down to the city center station, just like old hands. We had tea and a bacon (more like salty ham) sandwich each for about 4.80 plus orange juice for another 1.20. Much less money.

We talked to ticket agent about tickets to London and senior cards ( for a third off I'll admit to being old enough for the card) and got that figured out. We walked a kilometer or so down to the wharf. Nancy fell off the curb trying to avoid two men trying to lift a grate out of the sidewalk….and left a good deal of her left knee skin on the street of Portsmouth. The very nice people at the ticket/information center provided a plaster and clean wipe. We went aboard the HMS Victory and spent a great deal of time on the self guided tour—and saw all kinds of interesting things. The admiral's cabin was so opulent compared to the lieutenants small cabins or the tiny low quarters of the midshipmen down on the orlop deck. Checked out eating, repairing, fighting on the huge ship. Remarkable to stand on the specific spot where Nelson was shot. I personally would like to try the Admiral’s bed….a huge swinging cradle…. His is much better than the hammocks of the poor lowly sailors. Finally left the ship and toured the Nelson building of the Naval Museum.

Since it was 2:30 we thought lunch was appropriate. We had some cheese, bread, and vegatables, called the Ploughman’s platter--at the tea room---quite nice but less opulent than on board the Queen. After the break we went to the museum shop, the modern navy exhibit, and the age of sail. All of the history is amazing, and many of the models are simply beautiful.

We finally spent time with the Mary Rose museum. We could not see the actual wreck of the Mary Rose because a new building was being built around the very fragile remains, but we learned a lot about how the wreck was discovered, raised, and preserved. This is one of King Henry VIII’s ships from 1542 which sank--reason undetermined; however, evidence points to human error--oops. They actually built a steel frame around the remains of the ship….about ½ of it survived and was buried under the silt..... and lifted it from the water. After they lifted it from the water, it has had to be sprayed with a wax solution to keep it from disintegrating. This is apparently a long slow process.

We left the dockyard as they were closing and went looking for a more substantial dinner. We ate at a new restaurant and had Italian. it was very very good except they don’t believe much in liquids—small glasses of Coke and no refills offered. After a leisurely dinner we walked back to the bus depot and caught ye olde #21 back to the hotel. Drove by the Frampton Model shop—it was closed but the window display was interesting. At the hotel we watched some tube, drank some coke, and went to bed.

A great day with 11,852 steps covered.