Fifty Things to do in Hampshire when you're Dead
Somewhere in the comments on my blog, Bob commented that he was going to be visiting Hampshire at some point in the near future and was asking what to go and see while he was there.
Unfortunately, I have to confess that my knowledge of Hampshire is sadly lacking. When I lived in London I knew that it was "south of here" in a vague sort of way. I know that Southampton is in Hampshire, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the New Forest is in Hampshire too. But that's about it.
So I've done some research (ie I've typed "things to do in hampshire" into Google) and this is what I've come up with:-
Winchester - it is very old and has King Arthur's table from Camelot somewhere in its environs. The real, actual table that the real, actual King Arthur, Lancelot and that lot all sat at when deciding on how to deal with the Knights of Ni and randy virgins with Grail-shaped beacons in their towers.
Jane Austen - stuffed and mounted somewhere in Hampshire, rather like a lot of the heroines in her novels.
HMS Victory - Nelson's flagship. Its in Portsmouth, but don't try and ask for directions or you might get the answer "I see no ships". Or worse still "Kiss Me Hardy".
Beaulieu - the National Motor Museum where you can see all sorts of makes of British car that ended up being made by the Germans or Japanese instead. And if you ask for directions, its pronounced Bewley - whoever called it Beaulieu was probably some snotty little parvenu with french pretensions aka the Earl of Southampton.
Scotland, England - this is incredibly close to Basingstoke and should be visited to buy over-priced whiskey and tartan that has absolutely no connection to your antecedents whatsoever.
And thats it. Not quite 50. Maybe go to London instead :-)
5 Comments:
THANK YOU!!!!
However, it won't be me, it will be my wife Laura and 2 of her many, many sisters. Which is a shame, because most of the things you list are things I would LOVE to see - but Laura will have absolutely no interest in. (car museum, HMS Victory, etc.) (a stuffed and mounted Jane Austen would be interesting, although I understand that the reverse process is generally preferred). Now, they are discussing a weekend trip to Scotland (or Paris) and Winchester is a definite maybe. I will be sure to put in an order for over-priced scotch and a tartan that has never seen anyone's kilt.
A trip into London is definitely in the works, so among the thousands of things to see & do if you have any recommendations, please feel free.
Ooh, I'll be great at recommending things in London. Let me know nearer the time and I shall come up with a few ideas.
Just thought I'd say hi. I rarely see you (beyond a few weddings) but now everyone is in on this blogging thing I thought I would stop lurking and come clean. :-)
Must have you all over one afternoon if we can drag the boys away from crickety stuff.
Oooh, I've just been gently reminded that you've moved house and Yorkshire is a bit far away. Doh! Big idiot prize for me.
not to worry, next time you're in York, etc etc :-)
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