Yesterday was a windy adventure! We went to Portsmouth where the Royal Navy is stationed and has been for years and years and years. It was a really cool experience, but honestly, it was kinda lame compared to Brighton. Ports are different than coastal cities, that's for sure.
When we first arrived we went on the Mary Rose ship. It was giant! I don't think I ever knew that ships were that big! I wasn't really into learning while I was on the ship, so sadly I don't have any cool facts. Basically the exciting bit from that experience is the embarrassing story of Kaitlin and I. We were downstairs of the very bottom level of the ship. No one else was down there and they had some really creepy noises playing over a stereo system. We got really freaked out and were kinda searching frantically for someone. Then we saw Sammie (one of the Hawkins kids that we love) and started saying her name and kinda ran over to her. It was a little sad that two 20 year old girls were that easily scared. But in our defense, it was really creepy.
Then we ate some lunch in the blustering wind. Its always windy by the coast apparently.
After lunch we went and saw the HMS Victory. The only ship on display from the 1600s. It was King Henry VIII's favorite ship. She sank in the Battle of Trafalgar and was dredged up in the 1980's. Right now they have what's left of her (one side completely intact) in a big room and she is constantly being sprayed with wax. That will continue on for a few more years until they can dry her and set her out for public display. We were looking through some pretty gross windows so it was hard to see, but it was cool at the same time.
Then we played in the museum, but once again, none of us were really up to learning so we just ended up goofing off. I should say who was with "us." It was Kaitlin, Diana, Koryl, Danny, Dillon, Allison, Ilarene, and I. Such a fun day!
Then we went on the Harbor Tour. We all popped on this boat and rode around the harbor and listened to the driver tell us all about the boats in the harbor. It wasn't super exciting, but I did see a Royal Navy Air Fighter ship-thing. That was cool.
Mostly it was just really windy and freezing and I couldn't wait to get off!
The picture above is of the only red and white painted ship in the Royal Navy. The Queen had it painted that way. She sometimes uses it as her personal yacht. Kinda cool.
After the toor we went in the Royal Navy Museum where we learned a little about women and the navy. Nothing super exciting.
BUT... Then we saw the sail from the Battle of Trafalgar. How cool is that?? It was HUGE! The things that England keeps! I will never understand. I mean I understand some of it, but its this giant ripped sail that someone kept for hundreds of years. It blows my mind.
There were lots of fun/ugly statues all over the dock which is why there are so many random pictures.
After the museum, we played around in the Activity Station for a while. It was a bit disappointing though. A couple of simulators and some other stuff, but honestly, the Eyring Science Center is a lot more fun to play in :)
We went on this Helicopter flight simulator thing. It was actually really lame. I kept trying to laugh to make it more fun... but it didn't work. But to our surprise, when we got off the ride we all felt pretty queasy. haha
Then we headed off the docks for some food and to just kill some time until the bus came. While we were sitting on this bench, we saw this crazy man out on this sand bar-ish thing flying a kite. We were just watching him and gradually we all realized that it was Dr. Evans! haha! So we ran down and said HI to him for a minute. Then we got on the bus and headed home. It was about a 2 1/2 hour ride. Kinda long.
Then it was mid-term studying time. Boring but good. Afterwards I talked to Mom for a bit which was nice and then Trevor for just a few minutes. Good times!
Mid-terms were this morning. English was super rough. I don't feel too great about it, but history was a breeze! Mostly I'm just glad they are over. I'm not feeling too hot today. I"m kinda super dizzy so I'm not sure what we're going to do. :)
London is great and fun! Everyone should get over here! There is so much history, not to mention the best chocolate in the WORLD and awesome shopping! haha!
Love you all! Have fun! Enjoy the super hot Utah weather!