British Maritime History

Today we drove from Chichester to Poole. Lots of coastal beaches and holidays by the seaside, lots of beautiful cathedrals but it was the maritime traditions that won the day.

Before we left the Chichester area there was lots to see around the local area.

Croucher's Country hotel on the Chichester back road was the best this trip. Great room and location, great restaurant and bar with supreme ambience and friendly staff.

The nearby coast at East Wittering. Ready to eat cockles 2.50(Pound) per pot.

The large sign read "Road floods each tide" There was no warning about boats on the road at low tide!

We drove on the back road an on to Portsmouth. We would have liked a few extra days to visit all the great sites. We started at the Cathedral. Another special church with great architecture.

Over 500 died on the "Mary Rose" and when it was recovered they were able to assemble 175 sketetons. These were interred in the Cathedral in 1984.

A wind vane of the Mary Rose.

Outside the Garrison Church. This is not our hire car!

Our major stop for the day was at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. We could have stayed for days!

The 1860 HMS Warrior.

The Kids Flotilla.

Lord 'Rob' Nelson and The HMS Victory.

Gail met up with King Henry VIII again. See blog on Hampton Court 2013

It was the new museum that houses the Mary Rose that we were looking forward to. It was 34 years as the Kings ship, 437 years underwater on the bottom of The Solent and 35 years in conservation.

The sections that were covered in mud survived as there was no oxygen. They also recovered many guns and everyday possessions.

We drove down to Poole with a stop at nearby Bournemouth.

We have seen a few of the seaside holiday towns. It was school holidays and the sun was out. We had a cup of tea warmly dressed and moved on to Poole. At least Bournemouth has sand!

Rob at the first Municipal built beach house in the UK (1909)

The view from our window across the park to the harbour.