We were going away in the caravan for a week just as a starter for the new year, but the poor weather forecast put paid to that. Instead we decided to have days out on the decent days. Our first visit was to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. I know we went in October, but there was much that we didn’t do. this time we went around HMS Warrior.
HMS Warrior transformed concepts of naval warfare when she first joined the fleet in 1861. Warrior was revolutionary - at a stroke all existing ships were rendered obsolete. Warrior housed all her main guns, engines and boilers within an armoured iron hull, and could be driven by both steam and sail. The combination of iron hull, armour plate, breech loading guns and powerful steam screw propulsion meant that she could outrun and outgun any ship afloat.
On HMS Warriors deck
| Sue standing near to the 2 telescopic funnels – these funnels could be lowered to allow the sails to capture the wind | Stuart next to the forward deck gun |
HMS Warrior was very heavily armed with fixed cannon, but it also had a complement of 122 Marines who had their own muskets and revolvers.
The laundry – hand operated
We moved onto HMS Victory which is still undergoing repairs. These could take a very long time – someone mentioned 30 years?
Detail of HMS Victory's stern – very decorative
We moved on to the figurehead and panorama museum.
Sue standing next to figureheads from the Royal Yachts
| Stuart next to - HMS Black Eagle’s figurehead | Outside – HMS Trafalgar’s figurehead |
Spinnaker Tower from the dockyard
Maggie and Andy visited us for a weekend and with the terrible weather forecasts we had to find some visits that had some cover. Saturday we went to Romsey Abbey and avoided the rain – just. Here Andy is trying out the doorway for size – I don’t think he fits – what do you think?
The interior of Romsey Abbey
Christchurch Quay - we finished off at the Captains Club for a coffee – we had to because we had free parking there.
Sue and I visited the Russell-Cotes in Bournemouth, not exactly a day out more a trip out. It is situated, in a commanding position, overlooking Bournemouth Pier. It was originally known as East Cliff Hall and was completed in 1901. It was the home of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes.
Sue outside
A couple of interior shots
In the art gallery there was an exhibition of work including some by Paul Kidby who illustrates some of Terry Pratchetts Discworld books. Paul Kidby lives locally in Fordingbridge.
In between the showers on Thursday 27th we managed a walk into Moors Valley, nearby. In the cafe they have a selection of ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ photos, at this time of year. Here are 3 of the photos
Moors Valley lake before the rain.
Another day another visit. This time we took the bus from Ringwood to Southampton. The bus has a very limited service, 3 return trips a day, so we had to get it right or we would have to find another way home. In April they are taking the service off altogether so maybe that is the first and last time we use it. We visited the Titanic exhibition at the Seacity museum. There were not many artifacts which is not surprising, but the story was well told.
RMS Titanic
Story boards detailing personal information
First Class cabin
This is a very small model – about 6 inches across (150mm)
Same again – full size
Also since the middle of January we have been having the cloakroom and bathroom remodelled, by a man that does. This took 3 weeks Sue was chief caterer and I was the gopher ‘go for this and go for that’.
Oldie Photo
1986 - Sue in Seefeld, Austria
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