PORTSMOUTH (PART 3)

At the end of our first full day, we took a harbour tour (all included in the Ultimate Explorer price). As I've mentioned before, it is well worth getting the Ultimate Explorer ticket, because, for a  few pounds more, you can visit the dockyard as many times as you want over a year as opposed to just a day ticket. For us, as we were in Portsmouth for three days, it meant we could go every day and not pay an extra penny. And there was still loads to see when we left, so another visit sometime is tempting. Here is a map of the Dockyard to give you an idea of how much there is to see.

At the time of our tour, there were two massive aircraft carriers in dock for maintenance. They are the only two we currently use, being HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. They were enormous and towered above the sea, the bows curled upwards to facilitate the take-off of planes on a short runway.

Other naval ships vied for attention  and even a humungous cruise ship (how on earth does that thing float?)

The following day we returned to look at another historic ship, The HMS Warrior, launched in 1860. Again, it was incredible to see how shipbuilding had progressed in the century since HMS Victory. The ship seemed wider, the ceilings higher and somehow with more comfortable conditions, although probably not when all 800 men were on board! The dockyard staff on board, whom we could approach to ask questions, were actors dressed in Victorian sailors' costumes and played their part well. At one stage, we were in the officers' dining cabin and I spied two paintings on the wall. One was of Victoria and I assumed the other was of Albert. My friend and I were musing over this when one of the officers approached us and confirmed that it was indeed Albert. "He died two years ago", the man said. Other crew members addressed us both as "M'am". It  was a lovely touch and got us into the spirit of the time. Here are some pictures taken of HMS Warrior (the first one is the first thing you see as you step outside Portsmouth Harbour train station!)

Officer's cabin

Officers' dining room

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and can recommend it. Sadly we didn't have time to see everything in three days, but we still have the option to return within the year. Watch this space!! Why don't you give it a try too? I can recommend the Premier Inn Hotel which is literally a two-minute walk from the Dockyard.  It is also a ten-minute walk to Gunwharf Quays - a modern harbour-front shopping mall with loads of pubs and restaurants to eat out at in the evenings, as well as the famous Spinnaker tower.

I apologise that the photos are not great - the weather, as is always my luck was not great. Thunder and lightning were forecast most days but thankfully it did not rain for long. so we were still able to get about and cover most things we wanted to do.