I'm taking you back to the twenty seventh of June and our few days away in the North East. It seems such a long time ago and yet it is only a month since our visit.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool houses the HMS Trincomalee as well as an historic seaport and the Museum of Hartlepool.
The Trincomalee is the oldest warship still afloat in Europe.
The ship was commissioned in 1812 and building began in 1816 by the Wadia family in then Bombay, India.
It was built in teak rather than oak. The stock of English oak had been depleted by shipbuilding during the Napoleonic Wars.
View of the ship from the cafe window. We stopped for a quick, late lunch before looking around both ship and quayside.
The Captain's Table
Life aboard ship for the ordinary sailors.
The sleeping quarters
Cannons and wadding
The ship's wheel
Along the quayside were various recreated shops and offices all relating to everyday life on a typical port of the late 18th century.
You could wander into all the different houses, businesses and shops.
All the guides were wearing 18th century costume which added to the atmosphere.
I loved the shop fronts the one above was a maker of wax figures of 'Celebrated characters in all stations of Life'.
The shops above were those of a Swordsmith and a Naval Tailors, let's look inside.
Being measured for a naval uniform at Lascelles and Godfrey established 1761.
Making a sword at Jeremiah Vendon and son.
In the ale house two candidates ripe for being press-ganged into service.
In his sumptuous home the Captain is looked after by his man servant.
Whilst his family play in another room.
Above some of the notices around the quayside offering a variety of goods and services.
Also on site is the Museum of Hartlepool which is well worth visitng whilst you are there.
