Friday 13th July 2007

Portsmouth - HMS Victory

Arundel Castle

Friday 13th!  Our journey took us towards the south coast and the naval city of Portsmouth.  It wasn't long before we smelt the tang of salt in the air and began to talk like Captain Jack Sparrow!  The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth is most famous for HMS Victory but is also berth to HMS Warrior, the first iron-clad warship, and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's warship that sank off Portsmouth in the 1540s.  But we were in Portsmouth to board the Victory and what a sight she is!  Nelson's flagship that saw off the Napoleonic fleet in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, is an amazing vessel.  From the spot where Admiral Nelson fell in battle to the immaculate condition of the gun decks you cannot help but be impressed by Victory as the history oozes out of every deck.

After a half hour journey to Arundel the ISCA group were to be found on the banks of the River Arun having lunch and looking forward to a tour around the castle that still today is the home of the Duke of Norfolk.  Arundel dates from 1067 and has a colourful history.  Within its walls are many treasures and it epitomises the typical image of the perfect English castle.  The various portraits of English monarchs by artists such as Van Dyck and the endless treasures in the form of furniture, porcelain and jewellery, including the rosary beads that Mary, Queen of Scots took to her execution help you to see the power and influence the Norfolk family have had over the past centuries.  A look around the town completed the day and with a few souvenirs in the shape of wooden swords and other knightly attire we ventured back to Charterhouse.