Military History Tours          On Tour - Bomber Command (RAAF in the UK) 19 July 2015

We are still based in Winchester and our hotel is adjacent to the Cathedral, some even have the view of the Cathedral from the widow of their room, a remarkable view indeed. This is our last night here for tomorrow we head back into London but before we reach our hotel in London, we will visit the Royal Green Jacket Museum here in Winchester and the proceed to the Brooklands Museum at Woking.

Today however started with a long run out to Yeovilton to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum. As all the Museums that we have visited, this one has undergone further improvement since last year's tour and has further enhanced what before was a wonderful Museum. All the Museums that we have visited have undergone change and all have further improved their displays to a higher standard.

The first 3 photos show the evolvement of the Rescue Service, the first is the current helicopter and the next was the first helicopter in the Service around the early 1950s and the Walrus earlier still. The next 3 photos show the inside of the first Concord that was set up for trials with much electronic equipment installed in order to monitor the early flights before being put into service. Also, there is an example of the seating that was in the Concord, not much room but one would not be in the plane for long hours.

We finished our visit and went off the beaten track looking for a pub for lunch. In a small village, Rimpton, we saw a new thatch roof being installed and while watching I spoke to a local couple who recommended that we visit the Mitre Inn in Sandford Orcas. I thanked them and we drove through the very narrow country lanes to the Mitre Inn. The food was excellent and the landlord and staff very friendly. As most had tried the local beer, I would be necessary for a "pit" stop before reaching home at Winchester.

Our trip back to Winchester took us through Shaftesbury, where Alfred the First had his base and originally buried there just inside the entrance to the Nunnery that he had built for his sister. Then on through Salisbury, insight of the Cathedral before our "Pit" stop in a lovely pub in Whiteparish. Another local beer, you must at least purchase something if you wish to use the convenience, shouldn't you??

We again set off and arrived in Winchester just as the last English wicket was falling, a good day all round!