Next we toured a couple of the museums on site, including one that honored the incredible career of Lord Nelson, and another that contained one exhibit only: an enormous sail from “Victory’s” foremast that saw action at Trafalgar, filled with holes and tears from the battle. It is treated as if it were a piece of the Holy Cross, and it should be.
Within sight of the “Warrior”, which is still an impressive-looking threat after a century and a half, is “Gunwharf Quay”, a large and wonderful collection of harbor-side outlet shops, where, oddly, one can find many American stores like “Claire’s,” “Oneida,” the “Gap,” and “Starbucks,” as well as famed British institutions like “Boots” pharmacy and “Marks and Spencer,” equivalent to perhaps Marshall’s. The “Spinnaker” is there, a huge new monument in a fanciful interpretation of the shape of a triangular sail, which has an observation deck looking out over the harbor. Since it has a glass floor, we avoided its challenge, and took a harbor cruise instead, where we were introduced to some of the frigates, destroyers, and supply ships of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, as well as all three of her aircraft carriers, including the latest in a long line of historic flat tops dubbed the “Ark Royal.”
We finished our day with a fish and chips dinner at the Quay’s “Custom’s House,” all lubricated with a “shandy” (lemonade and beer), and a pale ale. Then off to bed.
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