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I toured the HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. A tour of the submarine provides insight into nearly three decades of this aspect of defense from the end of WW II into the Cold War era. The Alliance was commissioned into service in 1947.
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 Railway-Alresford Station- Geoff W. Sutton 2017
I visited the Watercress Line at the New Alresford station on a weekend when Thomas the Train was featured. Thomas was ill at first but his pals were active.
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/
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.
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.
On my last day in Portsmouth, I purchased a ticket to the tower, which has great views of the harbour, historic dockyards, and city.
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 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
During the Battle of Trafalgar, the crew numbered 821, which included 31 boys. Most crew were seamen (500) who sailed and fought. The tour includes a look at multiple decks and reveals insights into the accommodations of officers as well as the work areas for craftsmen and other crew members. An audio guide describes the scene.
A selection of my photos follows.
Nelson's bed
You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.
I attended services during Easter week and toured the Cathedral to get a sense of this sacred place that reveals so much of English history.
I was there in 2017 and viewed two special events. Near the entrance are storyboards illustrating highlights of the life of Jane Austen whose floor grave marker is near a brass wall plaque. The year marks the 200th anniversary of her death in 1817 at a cottage near the Cathedral. Jane had come to Winchester for treatment of a particular physician but her health declined and she died at age 41. She was buried in the cathedral. The marker did not celebrate her works but a wall plaque added later corrects this oversight. As her fame grew, a memorial window was added above the plaque.
The second event was a display of the 12th century Winchester Bible, which is the magnificent work of one scribe. One of the four volumes was available and opened to an example of the Latin script and colourful artwork. The Bible is thought to have been commissioned by the Bishop of Winchester, grandson of William the Conqueror, in 1160. Staff and storyboards provide more information. There's more available from touchscreen presentations. Photography was not permitted.
Near the Bible exhibit is the oldest section of the Cathedral. You can see examples of art on the walls. And not far away is the oldest area of floor tiles dating from the 13th century.
13th Century tiles, Winchester Cathedral
Also nearby is the crypt, which is open to the public.
Crypt, Winchester Cathedral
The Cathedral is rich in the history of English Kings and church leaders. The remains of many are identified throughout the tour. Perhpas the most famous is King Alfred (849 to 899) who was buried in the Old Minster. In one of the mortunary chests are the reported bones of King Canute (aka Cnut) and Queen Emma.
There is much beauty to be appreciated and photography is permitted with a few exceptions.
A few more photos and a short video clip.
There is a fee for the tour but not for attending services.
A hidden jewel amongst the popular attractions of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Parliament is the Jewel Tower across the street from Parliament (Westminster Palace).
The Jewel Tower was built for King Edward III 1365 to 1366.
It's a small site with a significant contribution to English Heritage. Kings had stored their treasures here.
But of more importance were the records such as the the death warrant for King Charles I and the ban on the slave trade by Britons.
Abolotion of Slave Trade
Copy: Death Warrant King Charles I
There are a few objects and storyboards on each floor.
Travel Notes
Great location for photos of Westminster Palace- obverse of Thames river view.
The staff were helpful.
There is a fee.
Entry is free for English Heritage members.
You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.
I recommend a stop at the Charles Dickens birthplace museum in Portsmouth. Check the website for opening days and times, then call. When I arrived on Friday, groups of French students were waiting their turn to enter the small house. I was told it was closed because of the groups but when I mentioned how far I had come, they let me in.
You enter below street level into what was the kitchen and is now reception and tiny gift shop. The desk staff mention a few words about the house and direct you upstairs. There’s a sitting room, dining room, and bedrooms. Multi-language cards are available to describe each room.
The furnishings are mostly from the early 1800s. Charles Dickens and his family lived here during his early childhood. You will see attention to detail in the wallpaper and curtains. There are a few portraits of Dickens on the walls.
Tips and suggestions
Because of the small house, its best not to enter as a large group.
Photography is permitted throughout except for one item-ask for information.
Credit cards are accepted but I had to wait for staff to end a phone call for processing on the one line.
There are toilets near reception. And they looked clean.
The Mary Rose was the specially built warship of Henry VIII. Built in the early 1500s, it was in use over 30 years until sunk off Portsmouth in the Battle of the Solent.
A panoramic painting and commentary describe the final battle.
Numerous artifacts from the ship are on display including shoes, tools, coins, and guns.
The Rose Symbol
The substantial remains of the ship are on display, which is augmented by an audiovisual presentation of battle action linked to sailors in different parts of the ship.
Travel notes
I consider it one of the best attractions in the Historic Dockyards and worth at least half the price of the multi-attraction ticket.
There are portable seats to use throughout the museum.
The gift shop has some interesting and reasonably priced gifts.
I visited the Morton Arboretum in March so my view lacked Spring foliage and flowers, summer green, autumn colors, or winter snowscapes. I say this to give context to my perspective that this place is nice but the entry fee did not offer much more than can be found in many well-maintained parks.
I spent most of several hours on various trails through different treescapes. I appreciated the great variety of trees and saw a small variety of birds plus a few squirrels.
The Arboretum is worth a visit and I suspect it would be great to visit often if living nearby.
In addition to the trails, there are educational programs as well as mazes and play areas for children.
The store and cafe were inviting but as usual in similar places, the prices are not cheap. The toilets were clean and well-maintained.
