- My car is back from the bodyshop at long last. I’ve missed it.
- This week I had my annual three-day run of Valentine’s Day and then two family birthdays. Cards, presents, balloons, cakes, meals and trips.
- Thankfully, our expectations for V-day are limited to a card and some chocolate, safe in the knowledge that bigger things are coming.
- I drove us all down to Portsmouth on Sunday (C’s birthday) to look at the old ships in the dockyard, staying overnight to make the most of it. We were joined by my in-laws to celebrate and sightsee.
- First up was HMS Victory, built in the late 18th century. I’ve been reading a book on Nelson with C so it was exciting (for him and me) to wander up and down the decks, seeing the cannons and imagining the carnage of battle in the cramped conditions. The restoration efforts made it very real.
- Next was the Mary Rose museum, with the remains of the 16th century salvaged wreck and artefacts preserved in the mud of the Solent. It’s really well done, I thought. The boys were less engaged, and all the walking tired them out. After dinner in Wagamama they were ready for bed.
- We stayed overnight in a family room in the nearby Premier Inn. It was compact for the four of us, but fine. The tired boys slept through the night, despite claims of their parents snoring. I cannot confirm or deny.
- More Pompey fun next time.
