 |
| At the family party (photo taken by Jane) |
Lovely time, curry and beer with Helen and Ian, though not too much beer as we had to travel to Edlesborough for a family party, caught up with a few people we hadn’t seen for ages, so that was nice, though have to admit we were champing at the bit to run away with Charles, Caroline, and Gran for a couple of days near Portsmouth. We’d booked a static caravan (Location: 50deg 49' 17.1"N, 2deg 45 '35.1"W) as it was the only accommodation we could find with a suitable number of sleeping areas (Airbnb listing). Have to say we were quite impressed, and for a few days it served us well.
 |
| HMS Victory at Portsmouth |
Sunday was ‘anorak day’ visiting the Naval Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth. There was too much to see in one day, but what we did see I think we all thoroughly enjoyed. Have to recommend the audio tour round HMS Victory, it built up to a very exciting crescendo and was very well done. We also visited the modern navy museum and had a short boat ride across to the submarine museum with Charles and Brian visiting the Battle of Jutland while we waited in the queue for the boat.
 |
| Jackie, Caroline and Charles listening to the audio tour on HMS Victory |
 |
| The lamp marks the actual spot Nelson died on HMS Victory |
Relaxed evening with easy dinner followed by a round of a game based on the TV program Would I Lie To You? Scary how the mind can go blank (For example - Jackie: 'select the true answer, of all the people held at Alcatraz only 8 were, (a) women or (b)...' make up your own answer....pause.....more pause.....'monsters')
, and also scary how well some of the party could trip rubbish off the tongue!
 |
| On the boat ride across the harbour to see the submarine museum |
 |
| Arriving at HMS Alliance submarine |
Monday was Caroline’s day, and the beach was her request. West Wittering had been suggested, by many people so off we went. It was busy, but there was enough sand to go round. HMS Victory was constructed and admired by many passers by, along with an Aztec pyramid, a sea monster and a hole to Australia, us childish? Never. Ice cream, well you have to, before heading to Chichester to put Charles on a train, he had a serious party to go to..... we made sure to thoroughly embarrass him by ringing him as he coolly sat on the platform from the other platform so we could shout and wave etc!
 |
| In the engine room of HMS Alliance |
 |
| Silliness on the beach at West Wittering |
A more exciting dinner followed by another lying game and an early night. Brian and Gran won both games, Caroline and I are obviously too good...
Caroline had made a request to visit the New Forest, not the most direct route home from half an hour east of Portsmouth, but she is horse/pony obsessed...
Off we went, Caroline in control of the map, all wondering if we were going to see ponies. As it turns out, yes we did, lots and lots, and donkeys (my favourite) and deer one of which did the full cartoon boing, all four hooves leaving the floor at the same time, very funny. We missed the highland cows, but did see a few normal ones and had a lovely time. The scenery and countryside was well worth seeing and we all enjoyed it much more than expected. A good route home after all. Lucy had offered dinner which we gratefully accepted before another couple of hours up the motorway back to Alvechurch, thoroughly exhausted but having had a great few days.
No comments:
Post a Comment