Victory and Stairway to Heaven. Portsmouth and Bath, UK

All aboard the HMS Victory built in the 1700s and famously known as the flagship of Lord Nelson from the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Portsmouth is also the place Dean sailed to on the Intrepid as US Naval sailor in 1972. so it was a special nostalgic experience for him.  Although the Victory was under renovation in dry dock, we were able to walk each smoke scented (from the engine) deck of this 104 gun ship with original equipment, furniture, books and dark wood floors.  Imagine the sailors in the 1700s stooped under low ceiling urgently preparing for battle. 10/9/22

Bath, home of some very old Roman baths is a beautiful city on the River Avon. You can still find some of the Roman ruins from 60 AD on the very lower level of the baths. Another highlight of the city is the majestic medieval Bath Abbey in the center of the city surrounded by courtyards filled with live music and lounging locals and tourists.  We were so fortunate to have a sunny autumn day.   The Abbey with its fan vaulting inside had a unique feature on the façade where you can find sculptures of angels “stairway to heaven” via Jacob’s ladder.