Early June 2023 – Portsmouth

5th June – Monday – Brighton to Portsmouth

A slightly later start today, as we had to wait until 2 hours after Low Water to exit Brighton Marina with enough water under the keel.  Again keeping close in to the red buoys.

Once again we also had to dodge the fishing pots which had plagued us since Dover.

The tides were strong and the sea churned, after so many days of constant wind.  We steered for the first 3 hours against the tide, had an hour or so of respite with the auto pilot and then steered the next 4 hours with the tide in the rocky sea.

Mick planned the passage through the Looe Channel, past the Boulder Starboard channel buoy.  You can see how the buoy is being taken by the strong tide as we whooshed through at 9 knots.

The 43 miles took 8 hours and we arrived at Haslar Marina at 15.20pm.  A very tiring day. 

The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth is a welcome sight, directly opposite Haslar Marina in Gosport.

Tuesday was a shopping, cleaning and jobs day.

The Solent channel is always busy with lots of interesting vessels.  Above is a windmill blade entering port.

7th May – Wednesday – Into Portsmouth

We crossed on the ferry (£4.80 per person for a day ticket). 

Greeted by HMS Warrior as part of the Portsmouth Dockyard Museum complex, tempting passers-by.  We have trodden that path, and as good as it is we wanted to see a bit more of Portsmouth.  The Cascade Shopping centre on Commercial Road forms the centre of the retail area, overshadowed now by Gun Wharf Quay.  On the map we spotted the Town Museum, so headed that way.

Portsmouth is a mix of every type of architecture, having been severely bombed during WW2.  The Guild Hall is a survivor.  Northern readers may spot its resemblance to Bolton Albert Halls, which is its architectural twin, albeit a little larger.

Portsmouth museum is a little way out of the centre and a little hard to find considering it is enormous.  It was one part of a 3 garrison complex.

The free museum has a comprehensive collection relating to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  There are obviously displays of the towns maritime history.

Upstairs are several rooms representing different eras.  Those of us of a certain age will recognise many items above.  The TV played Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben etc on a loop.   Drag me away.

Finally there was a fascinating display of crafts which are in danger of going extinct.  Including a video about making wooden ladders, featuring an old craftsman passing on his knowledge.

As entry was free, as usual, we headed to the café for a homemade cake and coffee.  It is worth searching out these gems of municipal museums.

We ended the day in grand style at Gun Wharf Quay, luxury outlet and entertainment area.  High end shops at almost reasonable prices.  Mick stayed in the Custom House hostelry while I had a proper look round.  Drinks in the sunshine, out of the wind.

8th June – Thursday – Arundel Castle

Arundel has been on my list for 30 plus years since my mum and dad went during a holiday to Eastbourne.  We bought the train tickets from the lovely lady at Portsmouth Harbour ticket office, who gave us yesterdays map.  She is being made redundant soon as all ticket offices are to close.  She was a great help to us.

We were up early and caught the 8.00am ferry, £4.80.  The railway station is right next to the Ferry Terminal.  We were early so bought a regular non-saver return ticket £28 for 2.  After changing at Barnham we arrived at Arundel station at 09.45 ish.  Online everyone tells you to get a taxi to the castle.  But it was only a 10 minute walk to the castle gates, which open at 10.00am.  Even the taxi lady told us to walk.

The first view after the gates.  Arundel is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk and is held in a charitable trust. 

The gardens, rose garden, Fitzalan chapel and the Castle Keep are open from 10am, the Staterooms open at 12 noon.

Rose Garden

Rose Garden, the smell was amazing.

Fitzalan Chapel.  The roof was modelled on the roof in Westminster Hall in London.  The church is split into two by a large iron gate.  The Dukes of Norfolk have always been a Catholic family and after the Reformation the family were allowed to keep half of it as all their ancestors are buried here.  The other half carried on in the Protestant faith.

The Keep Portcullis

The impressive Arundel Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard, seen from the gardens.  We heard there was a special display in there which was ending today.  Staff on the back entrance stamped our hands, for re-entry and let us have a look.

The display was a beautiful annual flower carpet, filling the isle of the church.  Similar to Well Dressings.  There were also wonderful displays of flowers throughout the cathedral.

Back to the castle, where entry to the Keep is via the moat.

Inside the castle keep, which is a similar age to Clitheroe Castle 12C.  There are 3 floors within the tower and tight spiral staircases to negotiate.

We had lunch in the main café at 12.00 to let the first wave of visitors pass.  The food was good and not silly money.

The first wow is the Grand Hall.  Where there are many artefacts to distract us.  Including a Van Dyck painting of King Charles the first.

Queen Victoria’s bedroom, one of many on display.

There are so many amazing rooms, dining rooms, sitting rooms etc.

The final wow is the library.  Above is half of it.  Again so many artefacts to explore, including a signed declaration by Elizabeth the first..

The last destination is the water gardens.  We left after 5 hours, our heads full of memories.

Arundel inc Gardens and Bedrooms (which are sometimes in use and not available to view) - £59 for two with Gift Aid, £10 back to spend in the café.  Expensive but so impressive.

We had a walk about in Arundel centre which has many bespoke shops and cafes.  Then back to the station.  Once again we ended our day in Gun Wharf Quay, eating at the Custom House.  A day to remember.

While we were out HMS Queen Elizabeth, aircraft carrier appeared today.

Friday – we did nothing

10th June – Saturday – Southwick Revival

Earlier in the week our friends Nigel and Mary contacted us about a 1940s revival they were attending, asking if we fancied joining them.  Yes please, tickets were quickly purchased on line.  The village of Southwick turns back the clocks to the 1940s and the whole village gets involved. 

They collected us from the Marina at 09.00ish and we arrived by 9.30 to the car park.  The motorcade of vehicles was due at 10.00am and just started as we approached the main street.  Every kind of military vehicle you could think of passed by.  Some louder than others.

A steam bus took passengers round the village all day.

A Tank heading up the high street.

Mr Mannering with Pike in the back.  So many people were dressed up in 1940s fashions too.

Mick and Nigel were booked in to see a presentation by Bruce Crompton of Combat Dealers TV programme fame. 

He provided them with an insight into his unusual life and his recent parachuting accident, with lots of anecdotes of his adventures in the military.

Mary and I toured the many vintage stalls and historic artefacts.  Stopping for tea and cake in the Memorial Hall.

There were excellent displays in the church about Operation Overlord, the planning for D-Day which was devised in nearby Southwick Hall, which became the headquarters of the main allied commanders led by General Eisenhower. 

We had a stop in the Golden Lion, then to the tea rooms for burgers, made outside.  We saw the fashion parade and best dressed competition, and another stop at the Red Lion.  There was also a funfair and play area and brass band.

The vast display of vehicles and the re-enactment camp were fascinating.

Beautiful cottages in the village.   

Lady demonstrating a sock knitting machine in the encampment.

The yanks were here too.

Waiting for the final Motorcade at 4.30pm.  Mick, Ann-Marie, Nigel and Mary.

Mr Churchill made an appearance in the second parade.  We had seen him in the church and the pub.  He is Rent-A-Churchill and apparently makes many appearances around the country.

What a terrific day out.  It was a long day, and very hot, we paced ourselves well with breaks and I am glad we stayed till the end.  A great day out for a £8 ticket, bargain too.

We headed back to the marina for dinner.  In passing we had to move the boat as the berth-holder of the mooring we were in was returning due to engine trouble.  Glad we had more hands to help.

We had a quick brew onboard before dinner at The Creek, marina restaurant.  Just what we needed after a long but enjoyable day.

Thank you both so much for asking us to join you, we learned so much.

Spinnaker Tower lit up for Pride Month.

Sailors Info

Haslar Marine is run by Boatfolk.  Same as Conwy.

They give a discount of 7 nights for the price of 6.  Approx £38 per night.  Normally £43.

The facilities are new, in an individual bathroom configuration with hairdryers in each.  Some people insist on meddling with the radiators, which in this weather is very annoying and wasteful of energy.

Easy access to local shops and restaurants.  Easy ferry to Portsmouth.  Aldi, Morrisons and Iceland supermarkets.

What a great stay.  Lymington next, for a rest.