One Man and his Mog: What a great day out!

I've always wanted to visit 'HMS Victory' , having a keen interest in all nautical matters, historic or otherwise, so when called upon for babysitting duties in Surrey it seemed an ideal opportunity to fulfil that desire with a visit to the Historic Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth.

Sadly, the Morgan will not accommodate three adults and two children, so it was the Volvo that whisked us down the A30 to Portsmouth on a lovely sunny morning.

'HMS Warrior'

On the deck of 'Warrior'

The gun deck of 'Warrior'

Arriving promptly at the 10.00 opening time we did not have long to wait before starting our visit with a close look at 'HMS Warrior', which on that particular Saturday was due to host a wedding ceremony on its aft deck. Indeed as we approached the ship some of the participants in that function were pruning and preparing themselves on the quay...not a particularly pretty sight!

'HMS Victory'

From 'HMS Warrior' we moved on to the prime reason for my visit, 'HMS Victory'. It is only when stooping along the decks that you can appreciate fully the cramped conditions that the sailors lived and very often died in.


One of 'Victorys' gun decks.

The spot where Admiral Lord Nelson fell.

The bow of 'Victory' showing one of the massive anchors.

Having read countless Patrick O'Brian novels following the adventures of Jack Aubrey and 'HMS Surprise', plus other historical nautical novels, I was already aware that conditions on board the ships of that period were difficult.

However, it is only when you actually see the conditions in reality and notice also things like the size and weight of the guns that they manhandled into action, the size and thickness of the ropes they hauled and reflected on their living conditions with dodgy food and rats everywhere, that you can get a real sense of the seamens' lives.

The 'Mary Rose'

The 'Mary Rose' was next, Henry V111's flagship, which is housed in highly controlled conditions in a building specially built for the job, where also are housed all the various items and personal effects that were found during the raising of the wreck from the seabed.

'HMS M33'

Newly opened to the public was HMS M33 the Royal Navy's only survivor from the 1915 Gallipoli campaign....a fine sight but entry was controlled and a certain adorable grandson wanted to ascend the Spinnaker Tower, so that was that, up he went with grandad....but not before we went on the included harbour cruise. What great value the whole visit had been....wonderful!


The harbour cruise

The 'Warrior' and the Spinnaker Tower from the Solent.

The Spinnaker Tower

Fortunately there was a lift at the Spinnaker Tower otherwise grandad wouldn't have made it! However, on reaching the top the views were terrific and I was delighted to hear my grandson remark that he didn't find it as exciting as his trip to the top of Blackpool Tower!