The Beaulieu Abbey - Day 3

This Abbey is also at the same area as Motor Museum at Beaulieu, so very convenient to see not only once place at the same time!
It was founded by King John in 1204, was, for three hundred years, the largest Cistercian monastery in England, however many of its buildings were destroyed during the Reformation in 1538. A film presentation and and exhibition tell the story of the Abbey and the life of its monk founders and impressive wall hangings depict scenes from its history. Take a stroll in the fragrant Cloisters, planted with sweet smelling herbs.

The Palace House The Palace House was created in 1538. Formerly the Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, the monastic origins of Palace House can clearly be seen as you walk through the magnificent Lower Drawing Room and spacious Dining Hall. You'll receive a warm and friendly welcome from household characters of the Victorian era and learn what life was really like "Upstairs and Downstairs". Enjoy delving into the Montagu family's past and see many rare and fascinating family treasures, portraits and photographs. The Secret Army Exhibition tells the story of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) which trained secret agents at the Beaulieu 'Finishing School' during WWll. The exhibition introduces visitors to the training schools, instructors, secret agents and unsung heros of the SOE, their training and secet missions. A film presentation shows how the 'Finishing School' operated in total secrecy for four years.

National Motor Museum at Beaulieu - Day 3

Our last day was planned to go to this famous motor museum at BEAULIEU, New Forest seeing legendary World Record Breakers like Bluebird and Golden Arrow. Get close to "Film Star" cars, Formula 1 racers (including one of the cars used by Damon Hill in his World Championship year), touring limousines and family cars from the 30s, 40s and 50s.

See motoring eccentricities, such as a giant orange on wheels, as well as a host of motorbikes and commercial vehicles.

Fascination motoring memorabilia, displays and a 1930s street scene, complete with a full scale replica of a typical country garage, packed full of tools and facts of the era, help re-create an altogether less hurried time of shops, vehicles and trades people.

Car on photo below - "Ford Poplar", used to be my parents-in-law's first car which cost them £25 in 1967, black version of this one!

You choose which one you like, so I can buy and send them over to you..:)

The Sun Has Finally Came Out - Portsmouth - Day 2

It was after 3pm already when we finished viewing all the historical ships, and we were all hungry! Lucky that just right in front of the museum there was a restaurant... We all wondered what the foods gonna be like?, and in fairness, they were lovely though....

Have we fallen out this time? hehehehe... or just hungry?

Hubby's choice for the day - Traditional English Sausage and Mash (he's a typical English man but he likes my cooking though)....

This is what I had - Chicken Tikka Massala (Indian food)...

Right after, we headed straight to our second hotel which was right in the middle of the forest! It was cold, in fact, along the way was color white as it snowed that morning we were at the Historical Dockyard. Photos below its gorgeous view...

H.M.S Warrior - Portsmouth Historical Dockyard - Day 2

This is where the world's famous historic ships at the home of the Royal Navy. This is a great place to experience 800 years of naval history surrounded by working docks and historic buildings.

We spent the whole day here (our 2nd day), though it was raining and freezing cold!

In June 1987, after eight years of restoration work in Hartlepool, "HMSWarrior" finally returned to Portsmouth. Launched in 1860, this 418ft/127m long ship (9,700 tons) ranked in its time as one of the biggest and best equipped warships of its type. It had never actually seen active service when it was taken out of commission after 23 years.The only surviving member of Queen Victoria's Black Battle Fleet, Warrior was used for 50 years as an oil jetty at Milford Haven before being restored to her former glory.

Selection of revolvers were used by officers during those times....Officers and captain's dining table....

Notice how huge the cannons are to fight against enemy ships (one in every window) - the cannon balls weighed between 10-15 kgs!!
Ship's galley where the foods were being cooked and distributed...

We'll Be Off to Portsmouth 'Til Sunday

We are leaving in an hour time, heading to my in-laws place, stay overnight there and tomorrow we'll be driving down towards the South Coast of England - in PORTSMOUTH. Portsmouth is the UK's only island city and is located on Portsea Island. A significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use and home to many famous ships, including Nelson's flagship HMS Victory.

It is one of my dad-in-laws passions, to see old and huge ships! So its gonna be hubby and myself with his both parents. We'll be staying there for 5 days! So see you guys when we come back, am gonna miss you friends...