English Counties - HAMPSHIRE - A Whistle Stop Tour

That was a sightseers marathon wasn't it, beautiful old forests, picturesque villages, wonderful scenery, ports and seaside places, ancient buildings, museums and stunning gardens, what more could anyone ask for?

But now it is time to rest I found a lovely thatched hotel called the Pilgrim Inn or if you now need some pampering there is the very modern looking De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel which also offers a SPA!  

Picture by Sue Oates

Good morning Cathy. Did you sleep last night? You are traveling with a speed that even a Japanees can't cope.

Hamshire is a part of England I've seen only through the windscreen of my carand a short stay in Twyford. Co this is a good oppertunity to discover this part of England.

Hi Ted, managed a little sleep (lol), the joys of being a virtual tourist

Looking at the number of places in Hampshire without pics or descriptions I guess most people have only seen it through the windscreen as they dash through to the West Country or the Isle of Wight! 

It might be well worth making a visit to Hampshire part of your journey and to stop and look, instead of it just being somewhere you pass through. 

Picture by Jack Bauer

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

We will nip past Southampton as I am not keen on big cities but I am sure some of you would want to go and find the shops or the maritime history or even catch the ferry to the Isle of Wight. I have used Red Funnel to go over to IOW and recommend the ferry from here. First I chose them over Wightlink as they seemed more proactive in catering for disabled and loading was so slick that we ended up parked on the ferry right next to the lifts to salon deck. Also being a slightly further journey there was more time to take in all that there was to see as we travelled the Solent and Southampton Water.

Just a slight detour as we go west to east is Whitely village, this is very new and is mostly a massive housing estate but also has an outlet shopping area so plenty bargains to be had. There is also an office area with landscaped lkes and ponds with its own wildlife, (flying and landing lessons needed)

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

If you brave a trip to the 3rd level it is open to the elements and is quite exilarating, those thinking of jumping be warned it is constructed so that is not possible.

On the outskirts of Portsmouth one could find Portchester Castle, this is a norman castle built on the remains of a previous Roman fortification. This a very interesting port of call with a lot to see.

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by David Thomas

Picture by Christine Horner

If any of you are interested in miliary history there are museums to visit as well as the military cemetary. Over the course of a year in the early seventies I was involved in a survey of Aldershot Military that was a very large job covering the whole of the army land. Of course much has changed since that time (and not just the gegraphy of the area) and one lingering memory was that whilst we were working on that job the first IRA bomb on mainland Britain was exploded at a Officers Mess. A lot of those killed were not military but local civillians working there.

 If my memory serves me correctly the picture on my avatar was taken when working on land about Aldershot.

On that sombre note I will leave Hampshire for the time being.

But we won't Vince, lol.  We have another day in Hampshire yet.  Thank you so much for your pics and more especially for your dialogue, it makes it so much more interesting.

In view of the fact that I am not sure what I will be doing here (in real time) tomorrow morning (probably helping son to unpack at his new home) I am putting tomorrow's itinerary for the continuation of the tour in Hampshire (virtual time) on here tonight.

DAY 2 HAMPSHIRE WISTLE STOP TOUR. 

Starting at Winchester (I actually think that Winchester would need a day on its own there is so much to see and do).  We've all heard of Winchester Cathedral, this looks like a must see.  Winchester College, City Museum in a 13C hall, Westgate Museum, City Mill built 1744 now National Trust, Wolversley Castle, The Hospital of St Cross built about 1130, Winchester Military Museum, Marwell Zoological Park, Farley Mount Country Park & Hillier Gardens & Arboretum close by at Ampfield. The River Ichen runs through the city.

WINCHESTER

Picture by Jens Eichstaedt

Picture by John Ware

Picture by Jens Eichstaedt