Portsmouth - Maritime Heaven.

Yesterday I thought I was in "heaven". As a ship-lover and naval history buff, being in Portsmouth is about as close as it gets!  We visited the historic naval base and museum precinct and went aboard the HMS Warrior (world's first steel hulled warship and most powerful ship afloat in 1860).

 After the Warrior I went aboard HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.   This fulfilled a long-held dream!  

But wait, there's more - the museum built to hold the remains of the Mary Rose must be experienced to be believed. We topped off the day with a boat cruise around Portsmouth Harbour to see units of the Royal Navy. 

Late in the afternoon we went to Portchester Castle, built by the Romans, expanded by the Normans, and then the Tudors. Last activity for the day was to enjoy a meal of fish and chips with mushy green peas (not my favourite part of the meal, but interesting). 

Our small B&B was well located, comfortable and provided a good breakfast to start the day. Today we are off to Salisbury (not in South Australia) and Stonehenge. 

A  few steps from our door is this view!

Please excuse the sometimes apparently random positioning of images. The "app" on the phone does not allow layout and usually puts them all at the end of the text. But not today!  (Later ... logged in via laptop to do some rearranging.  Apology still applies for future posts)

Reached Britain safely

After a long flight of 21 hours broken by a 90 minute stopover on Singapore to change from an A330 to the big A380 we arrived tired but enthusiastic in London. 

The Immigration check queue was enormous but eventually we were through, had our Vauxhall Astra hire car and were on the road!  We reached Portsmouth at 11:30 am and checked in to our B&B with view of the harbour and famous "Spinnaker Tower" landmark, but that's another story. 

The main "news" is that we reached here safely and have hit the road running. 

Paul. & Judy

Waiting to go

After much difficulty squeezing everything into the bags we eventually got them closed and travelled with David to Adelaide Airport. Arriving early we beat the long queues with their frustrating shuffle, a pace at a time, towards the check in counters. All was quick and easy, and there was plenty of time for a snack and drink before passing through immigration and into the departure lounge. 

"Head in the clouds" was the theme for an advertising campaign at the airport, so  Judy obliged.  Head in the clouds? Maybe, but feet still on the ground, and soon "bottom on the seat". We have  seats 55A& C on a Singapore Airlines A330 bound for Singapore then changing to an A380 for London. 

We are off at last!