Portsmouth: the port that sent the D-Day heroes

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[tab:Travel]
Sometimes you have to go around like a sock history to regain perspective and avoid the beaten landscapes. The logbook World War has a date etched, the 6 June 1944, and the calendar sheet inevitably leads to the beaches of Normandy, stage for the largest military landing in history. But the traveler to retain a hint of curiosity in the backpack is bound to look behind, across the Channel.

Y allí asoma Portsmouth, town in southern England where transport ships sail full of 4.000 landing craft, shipyard where it all began, the port where thousands of men consumed their final hours before heading to the heart of Europe invaded by the Nazis. Churchill left a phrase for posterity. "Never have so many owed so much to so few". The tribute to those soldiers who gave everything they had to try to change the course of world history well worth a visit to this city in the county of Hampshire.

City looks at the same beaches from which to confront troops departed, in the words of the famous photographer Robert Capa, "A new kind of fear"

For readers football fans, Portsmouth name is associated with the Premier League club, Pompey popular, whose arrival in the elite of English football a few years ago put the city on the map of many followers of the beautiful game. But above the stadium tour, the traveler must approach so inescapable to D-Day Museum, living history of the Normandy landings, that from the promenade of the city looks the same beaches from which to confront troops departed, in the words of the famous photographer Robert Capa, "A new kind of fear". They got beat, because in a month and had a million troops landed on the French coast and the blow would be fatal to the Nazi defeat.

Churchill was grounded

An illustrious traveler was grounded on that occasion. British Prime Minister tried to be in the game. The journalistic instinct still loomed in a politician who knew he was facing one of the events called to change history. And well justified: "A man has to take part in so directly to assume greater responsibility and serious and terrible decisions involving war may well need the soothing of adventure". But his efforts were vacant, King George VI himself had to dissuade, Piers Brendon as recalled in his biography of the leader of the allies. A chronic magnificent never write.

Walking today by the rejuvenated Southsea seafront is to evoke that feat with equal emphasis in Normandy and, supposed, in part, reconciled with history, that somehow the city has delayed British, overshadowed by the flashes of landing critical scenarios. One can easily imagine the farewells of soldiers in the taverns of the port, the goodbyes that would forever and the tears of the families in the hours prior to the days in which the world hold my breath

Skyscrapers and taverns

Besides the museum, can not fail to visit the shipyard in the anchor still relics of British naval power: ships HMS Victory and Warrior and the remains of the Mary Rose. The century-old presence of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth also has impacted: el Royal Naval Museum, a piece of history of the greatest maritime power that has ever sailed the seas. And for those looking to spread the look and waters imagination fired the commanding Allied fleet, nothing better than getting on the modern Spinnaker Tower, which offers excellent views of the Channel from over a hundred feet high.

Portsmouth es, also, a good place to learn English. This was the reason that led me to live here for more than three months, Irme a fast-barajar study English in Canada the United States. Offers are numerous. Closest in Brighton, Without going any further, ESL Languages offers interesting English courses, another incentive for the traveler who still fight with the language of Shakespeare

[tab:the way]
From Santander (Brittany Ferries) and Bilbao (P&O Ferries) regular ferries that connect the Spanish coast to Portsmouth. The ticket price is less than 200 EUR. It's a different way to get to the British city using the same means of transport troops longest day.

[tab:a nap]
A can, near Southsea seafront. The hotel Beaufort (71 Festing Road) is an option at a good price. Much more expensive, the Queen's (Clarence Parede), with priceless views of the nearby Isle of Wight.

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The cuisine is wide, though the traveler advised above any culinary delight refuge in a tavern and play a few games of pool (British snooker) the rate of moles. And if it matches a match of Pompey, the better.

[tab:highly recommended]
-The best traveler's recommendation is that, historical curiosity sated, are lost for any port tavern after traveling leisurely promenade and, pint in hand, provide for those brave.
-Everything about the city and its history on the web www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

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Comments (3)

  • Luis

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    While I was in Portsmouth. Has it changed much, but I remember the city fondly. Congratulations on the web

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  • Elena

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    It is clear that to know a little English history must visit Portsmouth. Very good article.

    Greetings

    Answer

  • samuel

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    I studied languages ​​in Portsmouth and keep some lasting memories of the city. Thanks for reminding those months great!

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