Colin the Warrior

This is Colin, one of the really fabulous volunteers who help visitors to HMS Warrior get the most out of their day. We found him on the gun deck, explaining why Warrior never needed to get down and dirty with enemy warships - she was simply too powerful. When launched in 1860 she was the largest, fastest and most powerful warship in the world. Now let me see, I hope I've got this right: the gun behind Colin was a 110 pound gun, the most scary weapon of its kind by a very long way, and the citadel within which the guns were placed was clad in 4½ inch wrought iron plate bolted to 18 inches of solid teak mounted on the plating of the hull - no gun of the day could penetrate the citadel even at point blank range. Would kinda make you feel safe, wouldn't it?

Warrior is simply stunning. Other people we met there include Jo, who was encouraging a group of scouts to climb into the hammocks and try them for themselves, and Terry, who was in charge of the magnificent engine room.

Warrior is now moored at the Historic Dockyards at Portsmouth, together with Victory and Mary Rose. I went with a friend on a joint birthday treat because, yes, my birthday was in August, as was hers. We always have a JBT, usually in October, which at any rate works for us. This year we decided on the new Mary Rose Museum. If you haven't been yet, I can only say it's one of the most genuinely extraordinary things you're ever likely to see, though a bit dark inside for blipping.

Saturday night - how blissful. Have a good one xx