We’re enjoying Norfolk very much. The private marina we’re based in is in the
centre of the old part of the city, an area of tree-lined, cobbled streets and
big houses, most of which have a history dating back to Civil War days. It really is very attractive. Couple that with a modern “downtown” then
there is a lot to see and do.
USS Wisconsin is moored within a mile and is open as a
museum so we took ourselves along there to have a good look around. She was built in 1941 as a battleship and has
seen action in WWII, Korea and Desert Storm and is vast: 887 feet long; 108
feet wide (to fit through the Panama Canal which is 110 ft wide); weights 58000
tons fully laden and has a draft of 37 feet.
In the days of WWII, 2800 crew were on board in very cramped condition
... it makes the accommodation on Tumi see positively luxurious. It was fascinating to get an insight into
what was effectively a city at see with doctor, dentist, chapel, lawyer, PR
department etc etc. It wouldn’t have
been a life for me though.
Yesterday we took the ferry across the Elizabeth River to the neighbouring city of Portsmouth. This had a very different feel to it and whilst we had a look around we didn’t spend much time there and returned to Norfolk.
Whilst it’s not as warm as the Bahamas/ Florida etc at night
time the day time temperatures are still well into the 80s so very
pleasant. Today we’re off to visit the
Chrysler Museum and Fort Norfolk and will then probably have seen all the
sights Norfolk has to offer. We’ve saved
a “treat” for tomorrow: We’re going to the movies, the first time in over 9
months!