... a husband to do his duty!
I have to confess that I am not fond of the craze that is referred to as D.I.Y.; nor, it would seem, am I particularly good at it, often losing interest part way through the project! I default to prevarication when the topic is raised or fein a a serious sporting injury - paper cut or splinter, that sort of thing! This summer, however, I have vowed to make this right; if I wanted some serious hobby time then it only seemed right and proper that I 'ticked off' some of those jobs that had eluded me for far too long.
The reward for a particularly strenuous bout of sanding, filling and painting was a day out at the Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth with the prime intention of taking in the newly opened Mary Rose Museum. This was a tremendous experience and the first time that I've set foot on Nelson's Flagship 'Victory' so a real treat all round. The 'Saintly Mrs. Awdry' was in charge of the camera so I present the following examples of her work as a record of our day.
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| I was conscious of just how low the ceilings were onboard Victory. |
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| Nelson's quarters onboard Victory. |
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| Boys will be boys! |
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| My thoughts soon turned to food, the galley onboard Victory. |
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| The ship's bell; Mary Rose. |
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| The extent of the preservation is breathtaking; Mary Rose. |
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| The ship's dog; Mary Rose. |
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| Stunning combination of artefact and modern materials; Mary Rose. |
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| A cracking bit of architecture, the Museum was good too! |
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| "Somewhere around here is Nelson's Flagship" or, "where is the nearest restaurant?" |
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| The Mighty Warrior |
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| Palatial interior of the Warrior. |
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| The boiler room onboard Warrior. |
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| Warrior |
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| Not, I understand, as a result of the Awdrys visiting! |
That ship is a thing of beauty. A real testament to what man can create with his hands and his heart.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are excellent, very artistic. You and your lady love are well matched sir!
All three ships were a joy to behold and I was really impressed with the darling wife's photography.
DeleteGreat photos of what looks like a good day out.
ReplyDeleteI remember being really impressed when I went round Warrior back in the 90's - my kind of ship! I don't remember the Captain's (Admiral's?) cabin being set out like that. Beautiful!
Thank you Edwin, the Warrior was certainly a joy to behold, a fine statement of Victorian intent.
DeleteYou have wonderful ships really well preserved there. Lucky people!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
They certainly are magnificent.
DeleteYou should go to Chatham to see Gannet - a late Victorian gun-boat Lovely ship.
ReplyDeleteNow we did late very thing last year, I must see if I can dig out the photographs for that expedition!
Delete"Fire Broadside" Captain Awdry!!! Great pictures from the SWMBO and a great relationship!
ReplyDeleteShe is certainly a treasure worth guarding!
DeleteNice pics looked like you enjoyed it :D
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous day out Simon.
DeleteSome crackin' pics Sir M, congratulate the Saintly Mrs Awdry! Love the pic of the gun on a plastic? carriage. I've already earmarked a visit to see the Mary Rose, as the mrs' aunt lives only just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteI shall most certainly pass on your kind comments Ray, she will be thrilled.
DeleteI can sympathise with the DIY thing... it's something I try to avoid at all costs too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a fair while since I've been to Portsmouth for more than work. I really must take the time out to go visit the Mary rose as that looks really well presented
It was certainly well done, although you need to be patient with the crowds in order to see everything.
DeleteThank you very much for showing what a great place to visit it would be. I enjoyed the photos immensely each one packed with interesting things to look at.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to DIY I have a friend that claims if a jobs worth doing it is worth paying someone else to do it properly! (No I can't afford that approach either!)
Thank you Clint, I shall pass your kind comments on to the dear lady wife.
DeleteA great series of photos. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome Scott.
DeleteGreat pictures, looks like you had an excellent time
ReplyDeleteIan
Fabulous fun, but it was terribly hot going round.
DeleteLovely photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThank you. I have enjoyed your tour of a majestic ship.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly was a beauty.
DeleteCracking pics. The ships dog Looks a bit hungry...and that chicken on the Victory doing it´s callithenics.
ReplyDeleteThe sign at the end..odd that one..wouldn´t look out of place in a film ..like say..1984?
That poor dog has been looking for somewhere to cock its leg for nigh on five hundred years!
DeleteOne of my "best places" is the Historic Dockyard. Saddened to see that the Mary Rose Trust have taken the Culverin off her reproduction wooden carriage and replaced it with perspex. I have very fond memories of taking many school children around the old museum, standing around that same gun on the wooden carriage, patting the breech and saying to the attentive young ones, "And this, is where some of the proceeds of the Dissolution went." Must go to new museum this summer.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a great day out and I have to say that I was quite taken by the perspex reproductions, they feature quite heavily in the exhibition. Love the story of the school visits Mark, priceless.
DeleteAmazingly preserved/restored quarters on those ships. Some of the rooms look like hotels. The mascot's remains seem a bit morbid - but shows how much a part of the crew she must've been in life. Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteThey certainly were a joy to behold, all labours of love.
DeleteWell done on the DIY. Your wife took some great photos. Can you imagine the drop in productivity if you had a canon in your office?
ReplyDeleteThank you Sean as for the canon it could prove useful with those argumentative meetings!
DeleteGreat post Michael, Mrs D and I have just booked for a weekend to see the Mary Rose in October. The Victory is always special
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw the Warrior.. Your truly worked on the restoration of the Warrior as an apprentice we made made all the anchors, and I was responsible for the drawings.. A proud day when we deliverd them...
Now if I can find the photo's I will scan and post!
Wow, that's an impressive tale to tell, I would love to see the drawings Dave.
DeleteWith a reward like that I can't understand why you wouldn't want to "tick off" more jobs around the house. Excellent photos please tell the Mrs. for me I am a School of Visual Arts graduate and know a deal about photography.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Rob
That is incredibly kind of you Rob, I shall pass on your kind comments.
DeletePortsmouth docks is a cracking day out isn't it? I must get down there again soon!
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly so much to do, hoping to take advantage of the year long ticket and get down there again soon.
Deletelooks like a good reward Michael great pics to!
ReplyDeleteThank you, certainly felt that I had earn this one Willie.
DeleteGreat pics Michael
ReplyDeleteGreetings .
Than you Vincent.
DeleteWhat a wonderful day out there Michael and stunning photos too
ReplyDeleteThank you my good man.
DeleteI suppose this comment just goes to prove that you should never post whilst feeling mellow after a pleasant night out, but I can't help thinking that ""England expects... a husband to do his duty!" sounds like a lead-in to some tawdry 70's skin flick along the lines of "Debbie does Dallas".
ReplyDeleteJust saying!
But it looks to have been a cracking day out in any case.
OK, I'm leaving ...
Brillent! Not much mileage in changing it now, but I shall have to be more mindful in the future - in the interim, pour yourself another one!
DeleteYou lucky b@gger. I'm green with envy!
ReplyDeleteMy sincerest apologies! ;)
DeleteBrilliant trip, thanks for sharing the images!
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome Sir.
DeleteI always enjoy going round Warrior...great day out!
ReplyDeleteI would certainly be more than happy to go again.
DeleteBeautiful photos of some amazing structures Sir! And the photos of the ships look pretty good too. Nice work, looks like a fantastic day!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a splendid day out.
DeleteHola
ReplyDeleteBonitas fotos si señor
Gracias por compartirlas
un saludo
Thank you.
DeleteGod bless the Saintly Mrs.A!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, though could have done with less of the chap whose mug appears in every second shot...what's that?...Oh, I see...I've been reliably informed that it's not some oik photo-bombing; it's the author himself! :-D
Thank you! I shall pass on your kind comments to the dear and sainted one.
DeleteThat my friend looks like a good time...things I can only read about
ReplyDeleteWe are certainly very lucky here in old Blighty.
DeleteI'd love to get a chance to see something like that!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
It was certainly a wonderful experience Christopher.
DeleteGreat pictures. Thanks for sharing! I'm glad to hear that the Awdry's were not the cause of the heightening security level. :)
ReplyDeleteNot this time anyway!
DeleteThank you so much for a fabulous tour. Those pictures are just great. Cheers for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome, my good man.
DeleteGreat photos. Visited a few weeks ago but didn't get to see inside the Victory (we sent too long looking around the Mary Rose). Excellent day out for anyone interested in British history.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Matt
I couldn't agree more Matt.
DeleteWow, what a lovely day out! Great photos. Thanks for posting these, Michael.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them Curt, Mrs. Awdry will be thrilled.
DeleteThat looks like an excellent day out, Michael!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these pictures with us.
And from now Portsmouth is on my list for our next visit to England. Soon I hope...
Cheers
Stefan
Definitely worth a visit Stefan, but you will need a whole day to do it justice.
DeleteWarrior is certainly an eye-opener; a cavernous interior indeed!
ReplyDelete"Excuse me, my good man, but which way to the Grand Ballroom?"
It certainly has that feeling, especially in comparison to the cramped conditions on the Victory.
DeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeletesomehow I wasn't able to post comments here yesterday, but after a Firefox update the problem seems fixed.
So let me thank you for sharing those excellent pictures with us and allowing a view onto your trip. I hope to make it to South England one day and then Portsmouth is definetely on the schedule.
Cheers
Stefan
And now I'm completely confused seeing that my comment from the day before yesterday wasn't lost...
DeleteWell it all seems to be working now Stefan. ;)
DeleteWonderfull! and fantastic pictures! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Peter
You are more than welcome Peter.
Delete