18th August – Monday - Portsmouth cont… Mary Rose

Packed up the butties for a Grand Day Out.  We caught the Gosport Ferry to Portsmouth town.

We were very excited today as we are going to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyards where the ‘Mary Rose’, Henry VIII flagship, is housed.  We remember clearly in 1982 the news showing Margaret Rule and the team raising her from the sea.  She is housed in a new purpose built home.

There are 3 floors and the Mary Rose is on your right, behind panelling with windows, and on each floor, artefacts are displayed in their place in special cases on your left.  Canons, ovens, barrels etc. 

It is difficult to get a good picture, she is much bigger than I expected.  The sprays have now stopped and she is drying out.  Top Tip: in 2016 they are scheduled to remove the panelling and windows to reveal her fully.  Go early as the queue by lunchtime was around the building.

Galleries on each floor also display the personal effects of many of the 500 crew on board, only 35 survived.  Examples from the Carpenter, Purser, and other trades show life on board.  For me the ticket price was worth it just for the Mary Rose.

Onto the ‘Victory’ Nelson’s flagship on which he died in the Battle of Trafalgar.  She was commissioned in the early 1800s.

Inside the ship.

The Stern.

I have not shown Nelson’s cabin as that’s one of the best bits, don’t want to spoil it.

Next is the museum proper which tells the history of the Navy and has many displays on Nelson as it has been the Bi-centenary recently.

Last but not least is HMS Warrior (1860).  Their version of a nuclear deterrent,  it did not see active service as it was so large and scary no-one would take it on.  The 50 year difference in progress between Victory and Warrior is very noticeable.

There is a harbour boat tour as part of the ticket which was a good end to a tiring day.  It leaves from the ticket office and takes you around Portsmouth harbour.  To survey where our taxes are spent!

Portsmouth Harbour is home to the navy and still an active and busy military establishment.

After the museum we walked to the Old Town and had a pint in the ‘Spice Island’ pub.  Then we walked to Southsea!  We thought we may go and look at the marina but it was too far, especially as we had been walking all day.

Found the ‘Midnight Tandoori’,  5-7pm,  £5.95 platter, who could refuse?  Highly recommended.

Then we walked back to Portsmouth via Gunwharf Quay, which is a very modern, high-end, shopping centre.

Then back to Gosport on the Ferry.