We packed up and got moving early to cross the New Forest to get to historic shipbuilding yard Buckler’s Hard.

There was a lot to see in the forest and villages as we went through. There were lots of New Forest ponies including one which looked as if it was sleeping on the road in a village!

We soon arrived at Buckler’s Hard – in a very remote area on the Beaulieu River. Outside the visitors centre was a Carronade, a small cannon made in Falkirk in the late 1700s.

The first thing we did was go to the museum.

It was full of information on the shipyard, living conditions and famous visitors.

It was a very large museum and it took some time to get round it. The Agamemnon was Nelson’s favourite ship and was built here. Three ships built at Buckler’s Hard – HMS Euryalus, HMS Swiftsure, and HMS Agamemnon – participated in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

We then went outside to check out the town. The houses are original and well preserved. Some are still occupied. Others you can have a look inside.

There is also one that acted as the chapel.

Then at the end is the pub.

The marina is still huge – and there is still a boatbuilder here. The launch ways are still there but a bit silted up.

In the shipwrights hut was a video dedicated to the building of the Agamemnon.

We enjoyed seeing it all on such a beautiful day.

Before leaving we had a van lunch.

We then got on the road to Hove – a 2 hour trip mostly in motorway. Arriving in Hove we saw Sean driving the other way in Stan II taking it to the storage yard until the day they swap it for Stan I that is now repaired.

We got a good park up next to Kate and Rob’s in Hove and only Lisa was at home. Soon Kate and Rob came home after dropping their grandson Nie at home – his mum had just got out of hospital with his new brother. Sean got home a little later after cycling back from the yard.

We had a good catch up over a few drinks. Rob the chef and as busy making hommos and then paella.

Lisa and I had to organise dates and locations for catching up in Slovenia.

We sat outside eating the fantastic paella.

It was getting dark by the time we went inside.

Glenn and I went to bed in the van to make sure we got an early start at 7am next morning.