Kingston Lacy

In between caravans in Hayling and moving to Weymouth, we had some time so visited Kingston Lacy (thank you National Trust passes). The house is part of the estate of the Bankes family who owned Corfe Castle (which we visited later in the trip). So huge. 

There is no scale but I could stand in this.

Modern sitting room.

King Charles.

The lady of the estate

Creepy and I have no idea.

Another cosy dinner table

The keys to Corfe castle

Another amazing library.

The upstairs bedrooms were all decorated like a circus.

Oddly there was an Egyptian exhibit downstairs.

Mary Rose

The last day in Portsmouth we went to see the Mary Rose. This was something Dad had been looking forward to for a while. The tickets are valid for a year so I think they will be back as there is so much to take in.

The Mary Rose was one of King Henry VIII's great ships. And was sunk on its first voyage. They are not sure why it sank but they think it turned too quickly and they didn't close the canon ports so they flood it. Oops. 

Henry 'in person'.

Stats.

waistcoat.

There was a section where you could hold pieces. Dad was thrilled. He got to hold a piece of the rope on the original ship. Plus a board from the ship and a canon ball. He was like a little kid.

Queen Victoria's pleasure boat.

It was a fairly short day as we were all knackered. Throughout the trip we spent the evenings in the caravans, cooking quick and easy and watching movies. And drinking wine. So basically a great way to spend an evening.

Portsmouth Historic Harbour

We stayed in a caravan on Hayling Island, just to the east of Portsmouth. The main reason for this part of the trip was to go to the historical dock yard in Portsmouth. Dad loves ships and the history so this was a no brainer. 

The first stop was the H.M.S Warrior. It was built as the biggest warship but was more of a deterrent and never fired a shot. (I am a little blood thirsty so it was a bit disappointing.)

Cat o nine tails.

The steam room was quite impressive and there was a very nice guy there who explained what went on. The job of stoking the boilers was a hot a dirty job but they worked shorter hours and were given baths every day (they got so dirty, they had too). Plus it was quite well paid so not a bad job to have.

The saddest lion I have ever seen.

Copy of the giant one in San Diego.

Second stop was Lord Nelson's H.M.S Victory, the one which was part of the battle of Waterloo. They fixed it so this is the exact ship.

Gang way.

That's a big Anchor.

And a small bed. 

Nelson had a better bed.

And the general crew got very little room

We also went on HMS M.33, a small ship used during WWII.

Lunch.

On the new, looking at the old.