Travel notes, photos, videos, and comments from all over the world. I may earn income from purchases of advertised products or clicking links. Please follow via email. Thanks Geoff Sutton of Sutton Travels blog and YouTube
30 April 2017
Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport UK
After visiting the star attraction, HMS Alliance, outside the submarine museum, it's worth having a look at the history of submarines inside the museum.
The exhibits and storyboards depict the progress made from small and simple underwater craft to modern stealth machines capable of quick, silent, moves far below the waves.
I visited as part of a multi-attraction ticket. A waterbus provides transportation between the museum and the main dockyard buildings.
See the website for more details. https://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/
HMS Alliance Portsmouth UK
HMS Alliance - Geoff W Sutton 2017 |
I was fortunate to have conversations with two retired submariners who served on the Alliance--one a cook, the other an electrician.
Our tour began by the forward torpedoes.
Forward torpedo area |
and moved through dining and sleeping areas to the control room.
Breakfast |
Before exiting, the guides explain the engine room, aft torpedoes, and method of escape from a submarine.
Submariner explains how to escape |
Even a short tour can give many a sense of claustrophobia as one tourist felt the need to retreat after a few minutes. As fellow tourists impede movement its easy to get a sense that not all humans could likely adapt to this underwater environment beneath the waves with human and mechanical sounds and smells.
The Alliance and the nearby museum are worth a visit as part of the Historic Dockyards multi-attraction ticket.
Watercress Line- Thomas and Others
Watercress Railway-Alresford Station- Geoff W. Sutton 2017 |
Diesel and steam train rides are regularly featured. Check the website for specia days like the Thomas Train Event. As a fan of trains, especially railway history, I think it worth a visit with or without the special events.
For one fee, you can ride the trains all day. See the website for prices. Fees on special event days were higher. But, there were many activities for children to enjoy.
There are places for picnics and opportunities to purchase refreshments.
I arrived by bus from Winchester. I noticed a lot of parking spaces, which were filled due to the special event.
Toilets are available but only a few people can be accommodated at one time.
Gift shops feature a variety of train-themed toys.
Although I began at New Alresford, there are other stations along the route to Alton.
Visit the website for details: http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
Hovercraft Adventure
Hovercraft at Ryde by Geoff W. Sutton |
I took the hovercraft from Portsmouth to Ryde on the Isle of Wight for the experience. I recommend it as a quick and affordable way to cross the Solent.
The seating was comfortable and the cabin clean.
The staff were friendly and helpful with luggage-- larger items are stowed outside.
Photos and videos are best before or after because there is little to see from the inside cabin with sprayed windows.
Video of Hovercraft taking off
After arriving at Ryde, Isle of Wight, I took this video of the next craft arriving.
See the website for details
http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/
29 April 2017
HMS WARRIOR, Historic Dockyards Portsmouth Uk
HMS Warrior Geoff W. Sutton 2017 |
HMS Warrior 1860 is a restored mid-nineteenth century warship designed to compete with progress in the French fleet. It is the first Royal Navy ship with an iron hull and a symbol of pride in Queen Victoria's fleet.
The ship was powerered by both sail and steam.
The figurehead is modeled after the original.
Some lived in fine quarters.
The tour offers an in depth look at the components of a warship and a glimpse of life on board. The staff answer questions and add to the experience.
Her firepower was greater than any other ships of her era carrying both 25 68-pounders and 10 110-pounders.
On her first sailing, the crew numbered about 700.
Laundry- Geoff W Sutton 2017 |
I consider this a very good experience if you like ships and a bit of history.
There's some climbing.
It is family friendly.
It is a good value when combined with a multi-attraction ticket.
Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth UK
Spinnaker Tower by Geoff W. Sutton 2017 |
HMS Warrior view from Spinnaker Tower by Geoff W Sutton 2017 |
If I had it to do over, I would have gone up the tower first to get an overview of the area. Panels around the windows provide local information. There are also touch screens with more information.
I noticed some were reluctant to walk on a portion of one deck, which has a glass floor. But most enjoyed taking a picture looking straight down at the activities below.
Looking down from Spinnaker Tower, Geoff W. Sutton 2017 |
Video Clip from the Tower
Time of day matters as does sunshine. I went in the afternoon and experienced quite a glare making some views difficult.
Fees vary so check the website. When I went a ticket permitted returns during the same day.
I didn't find the introductory film of much interest.
Gifts are available and there is a restaurant with nice views of the harbour.
HMS Victory Portsmouth
HMS Victory by Geoff W. Sutton |
HMS Victory was Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar 1805. On 7 May 1765m HMS Victory left the Chatham Royal Dockyard, The ship was active during the American War for Independence, the French Revolution and the war against Napoleon.
For the British, HMS Victory is remembered for the greatest naval victory led by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar when the British defeated the French and Spanish fleets.
The restored 104-gun-ship is an attraction at the Historic Dockyards, Portsmouth, UK. HMS Victory saw some service in the early 1800s. The ship was placed in permanent dry dock in 1922.
HMS Victory was manned by a crew of over 800. With a maximum of 37 sails (5,400 square yards), it could achieve a speed of 9 knots about 10 mph). The three heavy masts are too much for the ship to bear and will be replaced with lighter materials for the display. More than 6,000 trees were felled to build the ship--most were oak. The ship's cordage ran to 26 miles. The weight of the cannons is too much for the ship to support in dry dock.
The presentation at the Dockyards focuses attention on the Battle of Trafalgar 21 October 1805. Nelson led 27 British ships against the 33 ships of the French and Spanish. After a five-hour battle, the British destroyed 19 enemy ships and lost none; however, Nelson was shot by a French sniper and died within a half-hour. His grand funeral took place at St. Paul's in London and a statue was raised in his honour at Trafalgar Square.
Where Nelson fell |
A selection of my photos follows.
Nelson's bed |
You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.
Mind the Gap on AMAZON and GOOGLE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)