Nautical Norfolk

Don't look now but it's heading straight for us...

At Norfolk, we threw out the hook and waited.  Waited for the weather to clear, waited for BW to catch his flight home, waited to get over BW’s flu legacy and waited for something entertaining…anything at all really. 

Portsmouth dates back to 1716 and has a more olde worlde feel than Norfolk, reminiscent of its English heritage.  The huge port complex now seems at odds with the charming old district and it’s hard to image that these great grey beasts and others have grown from an industry started by Portsmouth shipbuilders. 

USS Wisconsin

Norfolk and its sister city Portsmouth, offer Naval enthusiasts lots to do.  The Cap’n threw himself to the task, doing tours, taking rides and viewing museums, ports and battleships.  When done with the Navy, he turned to the Army and spent a day with General MacArthur.  Not with him as such, although he is buried on the site.  GS & BW skipped all that for the Mall and a movie, then found a bookshop with an inbuilt Starbucks…   

Oh look, the tide's come in

This is how we passed our days.  Sightseeing a little, shopping a little and trying to find a decent coffee or restaurant.  Finally found one in Portsmouth, Lobscouser.  Also found a supermarket for essentials close to the dingy wharf. Just as well, our bodies were starting to protest the appalling menus on offer (pulled pork is just hideous!).  Most weekends there was something going on in Town Park or The Landings; bands playing and people milling.  Of course, if all else failed we could get internet at Hooters.  Don’t ask!  GS declared Hooters a blonde joke in the making. 

Chrysler Museum of Art

GS, in a moment of triumph even managed to get the Cap’n to the Chrysler Museum of Art.  The Chrysler is renown for its superb collection of glass, including a huge Tiffany collection. You could not help but be fascinated by it. 

Fascinating History Lessons

They also had some really interesting if not macabre, pre-Columbian pieces, particularly pottery that had GS quite enthused.  Perhaps, just a little kiln on WJ3 wouldn’t hurt?  We could tie it on a raft behind Bruce.  Quite an odd little procession & not suitably nautical, me thinks.  Anyway, Cap’n Crafty declared himself full bottle on art galleries and except perhaps for the Louvre, he had seen enuff…for a lifetime!  Back to Hooters then….