day trip

The reason for my day trip to Portsmouth was to go here, the city museum (postcard from giftshop)



to see this touring exhibition from the V&A.

On the way to the museum I walked through Victoria park and spotted this bushy tailed little chap who wasn't at all put off by passers by.

I walked down to the harbour and saw HMS Warrior at the dockyard.

Just across the road is a retail outlet called gunwharf quays. I popped in briefly, mainly becuase I needed the loo! And very impressed I was too. So clean and well maintained I had to take a photo!

It's at this shopping complex I nipped into Whittards and took the photo of the Tea poster and made a small purchase. Couldn't resist this plate. As yesterday wasn't about shopping I didn't spend much longer at Gunwharf but instead made my way to the museum.

The exhibition was really good. Lots and lots of black and white photos of singers from 50's and 60's. The Beatles, Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, The Everley Brothers, Brenda Lee, Helen Shapiro, Adam Faith, Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele. So many of these I listened to from an early age as rock and roll was one of my dad's favourite choices of music. He actually worked with Tommy Steele before he became famous on one of the big cruise liners. It was just for one trip and he said he drove everyone crazy singing and playing his guitar whenever he was off duty.

I didn't recognise Shirley Bassey from this photo. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of her as a young woman.

And this was a highlight. Seeing Billy Fury in full swing. I think he had a lovely voice.

I got talking to a couple who were also looking round the exhibition and who remembered going to the cinema to watch Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo, clips of which were playing through an old TV. They told me about the dancing they did and the clothes they wore. He was very proud of a pair of crepe soled shoes which were adorned with treble clefs and she told me how her mum would rinse her petticoats in sugar water before hanging them on line to dry so they would be stiff and keep their shape.

I did wander around the rest of the museum and would have liked to have spent a while longer looking at some of the exhibits. But my highlights are this gorgeous room set of an old kitchen

this poster for promoting the art gallery. The original painting was also on display. The artist is Benjamin Haughton. Isn't she beautiful.

And these 2 vintage advertsing posters encouraging visitors to the seaside.

If you do find yourself in Portsmouth then a trip to the museum is a great way to pass an hour and it's free.