Portsmouth, England

So we leave London and we head off to our hosts' house. While we are driving to their hometown, I notice that there are a few of these fields that are so beautiful. Here in the Bible belt of America, these fields are filled with golden rod (which were fun to run the scoot-about in). However, in England, the government gives them is seed to plant instead of growing food. I personally found it very beautiful.

This is the view out of the car window. To us, this means that that car is heading right towards us and why is that car parked on the sidewalk. To our host, this means it's an ordinary day....

As we are walking down towards the ferry, there is this beautiful spire which is the architecture marvel of Gosport.

So I'm eyeing this marvel when Steve points out there's someone up there taking my picture. (personally I think he's poking fun at me and my shutter-bugness) I zoom in with this new camera and look! There is the culprit. All the way up there peering down at us.

Right before we got on the Ferry, I had to take this picture. Tell me that isn't a good pic! There's the three of them. I was so excited - giddy as a school girl! Getting ready to start touring England...

Ok, THIS is more like proof we were there. Other than the sign at the top, what sort of picture is this?

This is the other side of the pier. It was the most beautiful scenery.

This was the view from the Ferry. Pictures just don't transfer the full experience.

This is an old Battle ship named Warrior. It was so big and felt like I was in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean and I was standing next to the ship for the British...no pun intended. It has it's own atmosphere.

This used to be on the front of a ship. Now it stands in Gosport for all to see.

It's kinda hard to pass up taking the picture of The American Bar while on holiday in England.

Living in the middle of corn fields, standing on a pier surrounded by boats is a thing of beauty.

We come around the corner and look at all of these crab and lobster pots.

Since there are taverns all around, I have to take pictures of them all - of course. This is where we ate fish and chips. Fresh fish and chips. I mean right off the boat fresh. It comes wrapped in butchers paper covers in chips. Ohhhhhh...........was it good!

yeah, yeah....we have swans in America, but these are English swans. Boy were they pretty. The one on the right actually had her next there on that floating piece of wood.

We are standing on the shore and way off in the distance are these three structures in the water. Apparently there are small planes that land here.

This is one of the old forts along the sea line. The teens like to jump off the top into the sea. The problem with that is that it's not deep enough and they usually break body parts in the process. (every weekend)

This was on top of one of the towers on the fort.

Of course we had to go explore a bit more. This is the inside of that same fort. Can you imagine being behind here during a war?

Back in one of those arches are the original cannons. Now THAT was kewl.

This rock was kept here for a reason

During the Russian War (1854) A landing party from HMS Hecla was attached by a large body of cossacks and many would have fallen had it not been for the courage of tow sailors who, taking cover behind this stone, kept the enemy at bay until the safety of the whole party was assured. Captain Hall had the boulder carried to his ship and transported to Portsmouth.

This flag being held on a pub means that it's a bit dangerous to be found in.

Portsmouth Grammer School.
Kinda looks picturesque . . .

The George Court

The sign posted in front

The famous trio standing between two of the oldest gas lamps in Portsmouth, dating back to 1824

Admiral Lord Nelson ate his last breakfast at The George in 1805.

I just want to know how short the midget is that drives this car. Is this really a car? Where's the windup wheel, in the trunk?

I just love how all the pubs have their own unique signs.

For those who work with me, this won't be anything new. My hostess gave me a miniature post box for coins that I have sitting on my desk. However, this one is a bit taller. It's just so cute!

Love the architecture, reminding us how much older of country England is than America.

I had to have this picture for two reasons. First, the water used to come through here and there didn't use to be a street here. Second of all, this is where Steve got his first tattoo in the Navy. What you don't see is the pub to the left. Apparently they would drink in the pub and a group would head across the street to get tattooed. Gotta love Steve and the stories he tells.

So of course we had to stop in at a pub. I look over the bar at this ancient document and start laughing. It reads:

Rules of the Inn
No thieves, fakirs, rogues or tinkers~
No skulking, loafers or flea-bitten tramps
No slap an tickle o' the wenches
No hanging o' tankards on the tables
No dogs allowed in the kitchen
No cockfighting

Flintlocks, cudgels
Daggers and swords
to be handed to the innkeeper
for safe keeping~

Bed for the Night 1 Shilling
Stabling of Horse 4 Pense
1786