Exit Through the Gift Shop

Before we could leave HMS Belfast we obviously had to Exit Through the Gift Shop, and Wilson decided that the one thing in the world he couldn't live without was a sailors' cap.

Once ashore, it doesn't take him long to find a restaurant. 

Ship's Rations

Wilson really loved the engine rooms and we seemed to spend most of our time down there. Eventually we emerged and Wilson announced that he was starving and would like to visit the Ship's Mess for lunch. 

All that was on offer on-board were light snacks, so we're heading ashore, or 'Going on shore leave' as W puts it, in search of 'rations — and a tot of rum'!

As an artificer, Wilson is a natural!

Now we have descended even further into the bowels of the ship's engine room, and Wilson is examining the ship's boilers. 

He keeps wiggling knobs and saying, 'Make it so, Mister Riker!'

Wilson is puzzled...

Here you can see Wilson in the engine room of HMS Belfast, looking at the Bridge Telegraph Engine Room Repeater. 

He is puzzled by the command to "Make Smoke", and I have to confess I can't explain it either. In any case, the entire ship is a no-smoking area...

Wilson is a bit over-excited...

Wilson is now getting very excited about our holiday in Jersey; so excited that he has already packed his case and can no longer sleep at night. 

To calm him down and give him something else to think about, I'm taking him up to London to see HMS Belfast, an old WWII warship moored on the River Thames. 

I hear that there is a lot of machinery to see and a lot of climbing involved, so he should enjoy it.

The new statue is installed, and everyone is happy!

Wilson has installed the new bust in the niche in the Folly! It looks very well there, and everyone is happy — even Antony is no longer scared to go into the garden with his Tiny Toy. 

This strikes me as a Very Good Result!

Wilson makes a purchase!

Finally Wilson has found something he likes and which he can (just about) afford. It really is very pretty, although I think it's only a reproduction. 

W's only disappointment is that in spite of 20 minute's  of haggling he had to pay the full asking price.