Today we were up at 07:30 because we have planned a road, or rather, train trip southwest from Woking to Portsmouth Harbor and then to Southhampton.
We started the day at the Woking train station ticket counter for our travels today. The gentleman at the counter was very helpful and he arranged all of our tickets for the day at one stop. (Woking -> Portsmouth, Portsmouth -> Southampton, and Southhampton to Woking). We were using our 2 Together rail card, and also there was a promotion on the last leg, so on the last leg it was cheaper to sell us a round trip ticket than to buy single tickets.
So with tickets in hand and only minutes to spare we jumped onto the train on platform 5. The trouble was it was not the correct train. Our train was due to leave at 9:55 and it was only about 9:50. It turned out OK. The train we were on headed towards Portsmouth, and stopped a few stations down the line. I had also asked another elderly couple if this train is going to Portsmouth, and they told me no. But the train behind it would be. I was also looking at the National Rail website and knew the other train was right behind us. So we exited the train at the last stop, found out the next train would be on platform 1, and we made our way over to platform 1 in time for the train to come in and we climbed aboard. So, off to Portsmouth...
We were going to Portsmouth Harbor to see the HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's ship in which we won the battle of Trafalgar. The station in Portsmouth is nothing special, and the walk from the station to the HMS Victory was nothing spectacular. The 'Hard' dockyards are old and show their age. We made our way to the Victory and it was quite impressive for a 250 year old ship. You get to tour most of the ship on your own, and there are helpful guides always ready to share their knowledge with you. The ship has 3 decks of guns, and it is very interesting to tour the ship and see how different sections of the ship served different functions. The Victory is undergoing a refurbishment and it will take another 12 years before it is complete. It is being restored to the same condition it was during the battle at Trafalgar. We also saw the spot where Lord Nelson was mortally wounded, and the location where he died and later pickled in a Brandy cask for his trip home. Ewwww. What a way to go!
You could spend an entire day here at the harbor visiting the other ships and attractions. But we came from one ship, and we want to get onto Southampton. After touring the Victory on the way back to the station, using our National rails app on the phone, we knew we had a few minutes before the train so we stopped into the Gunwharf Quay retail center next to the station. Pat found a Radley outlet store where everything has a Scottie on it, and they were having a sale (Of course :). So we picked up a purse, wallet and journal book.
Onto Southhampton on the 13:23 train and the ride was uneventful. We arrived in Southhampton and using the maps application on our phone made our way to the Titanic Engineers Memorial in Andrews park and then on to the Sea City Museum. They were only around the corner from the station. The memorial is quite large and impressive, with a winged angle in the center holding two wreaths. The names of the engineers who remained at their stations during the sinking are on the memorial. We took lots of pictures and some closeups too.
We made our way to the Sea City Museum and the Titanic exhibit. We have been to many Titanic exhibits over the years and this one was quite good, and the fact that it is in Southampton makes it very special. Over two thirds of the crew on the Titanic were from Southhampton, and this town has a historic naval history. One interesting exhibit is a Titanic ship's steering wheel and telegraph and a digital screen in front of you, stretching across about 7 or 8 displays going left to right. It shows the solent in front of you and the shore lines and other features. You are given audio instructions and it tells you how to control the speed and direction of the ship. Your objective is to steer the ship through the narrow solent passage without running into another ship or buoy or running aground. Pat steered the ship and did a great job, and completed the course. The machine told her that she must have nautical blood in her :-) LOL
Another interesting exhibit is a reproduction of the Inquiry courtroom where the hearings into the loss of the Titanic took place. There is a narration playing speaking the words of those questioned.
After the museum we were both tired and we headed back to take the 16:30 train back to Woking. Upon arrival we looked up one of the suggested restaurants which Shell recommended, Bill's. It is English fare and pretty good. Pat had a buttermilk chicken sandwich and I had the duck pie, and we each had a beer or two.
A Taxi ride home from the station and we are home by 19:30.
Tired and ready to rest and have another fun day tomorrow.
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