London Has The Best Barmaids - Challenge Blog Day 7 of 7
I am submitting this challenge blog a few hours early since we will be out of range camping in the morning. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
One of my fondest port visit memories was in 1986 when we pulled into Portsmouth England. The visit followed 70 plus days submerged in the frigid North Atlantic.
Our mission had been extremely successful during the height of the Cold War and after weeks of running silent, we started transiting off station in late January.
Once off station, our first received radio broadcast was that the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded with all crewmembers lost.
Submarine service and space travel are similar in many ways so the disaster disturbed many of us so the port visit was well timed.
Our first port visit was to the lovely city of Portsmouth England. Once we arrived, those that were not on duty took the train from Portsmouth to London. I believe the trip was approximately 90 minutes but it has been many years.
Great Trains In EnglandSpace was limited on submarines so you could only take one or two sets of civilian clothes along so you were normally dressing very casual. Once we arrived in London, I was clear that our dress may prohibit our visiting certain establishments.
Our first goal after 70 plus days at sea was to have a beer so we tried to find a pub and most of them were closed. We finally found a pub and a friend and I were quickly adopted by a couple barmaids.
Nothing Like A Cold OneThe first pub we visited closed within a couple hours of arrival so we were somewhat shocked but the barmaids explained that we needed to move to a different pub. We scratched our heads and figured that a pub crawl could be fun.
The barmaids were kind enough to guide the two (2) ugly Americans the took under their wings to multiple pubs through the evening.
Late that night, our friends took us to an after hour pub where we did not come close to meeting the dress code. Somehow, we were allowed into the pub and never bought a beer the rest of the night.
During this adventure, we never felt as welcomed in any port visit before or after this stop. We had made many friends for the day, free beer, and learned how great our mother nation was thanks to these barmaids.
The next day we visited historic sites, ate fish and chips, loved beef and kidney pie, and made our way back to the sub in Portsmouth. We had a great time and London has the best barmaids.
Loved London
- Have you enjoyed similar experiences when you traveled?
- Where is your favorite place to visit?
Wishing you health, safety, and success. You pack much into life when you are fifty plus going on fifteen.
My apologies for delayed responses but I will be back on Sunday.
Jay Patterson
Recent Comments
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Haha.. hey jay, it's a wonderful information of your travel.
I see that London has the best barmaids. And enticing for 50 plus gentlemen.
Have to wait a few years to really see that.
Someday, I will return with my bride. I was in my early and late 20s last time I visited London. Jay
Jay, Jay I wish I were in your shoes.
I really want to visit the place with the best barmaids while appreciating your 20s.
I am now now in my late 40s.
Thanks buddy.
Great memories Jay, I haven't travelled that much but I was in Germany and an older couple on the boat we were on were very helpful to us gauche ozzies. We muddled through the English word as we didn't have a word of German to speak. What a beautiful country.
Cheers, Jae
Jae, I am sure they were friendly and I always wanted to visit Germany but only enjoyed during periscope liberty. Thanks fo sharing, Jay
Hi Jay I hope you have a good weekend camping, it's nice to have the weather to be in the great outdoors. I just want to say thanks for the story it's fascinating and sounds absolutely right, good on those barmaids that made you feel so welcome. It's a bit to cold for camping over here in London. Thanks for sharing the story
Kim, it was cool yesterday but turned cold and wet so we returned home this AM. I do want to return to London with my bride someday. Jay
Thanks for reply Jay I'm sorry to hear that your camping weekend was cut short due to bad weather I hope it's nothing to do with what I said about the weather lol. It's nice to hear that you wish to return with your wife I guess it Will be a more sober visit than the last
One good thing with a US man in uniform is the opportunity to
travel around the globe. You've seen different cultures and scenic places. I have never been to London and I dream to visit this place in the future. Thanks for giving me some hints about it. Regards my friend!
Hey, Jay! Great story! Friendly people DO make all the difference! That's the way I feel each time I have visited Mexico, especially Cancun and Puerto Vallarta! I did have a much better time in Cancun and it's my favorite place in the Caribbean!
I say this because this past May when my sister and I were in Puerto Vallarta, I fell and broke my Humerus bone in two with multiple fractures around it. I was totally immobile. It's healed nicely since then, but when it happened, the doctors and nurses at the hospital went above and beyond assisting me and were so knowledgeable and caring. So was the hotel staff and concierge (who paid for all my medical bills and supplies I needed), and I was wheeled all around in a wheelchair my who;e week there!
It is so awesome to be treated like gold! Kind of reminds me of the people right here within this community..like yourself!
Nice post! Have fun camping! See you around!
Thank you and I hope you have a great weekend also. It sounds like you were well cared for it does matter. I agree that WA is a special place. Enjoy... Jay
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I have traveled mainly throughout Europe, London is one of my favorites but Zermatt Switzerland is my favorite story book place in the whole world.
Damo
Damo, Always wanted to visit the interior but we visited the coast and were port and starboard for duty (every other day) so could not travel far. Someday. Jay