Our first day of included tours - Part 2 - Gunwharf Quays

Our next stop on the tour was free time to do as we wished after being dropped off at Gunwharf Quays - a marina and outlet shopping center. Some highlights were covered such as shopping, restaurants to grab lunch on our own, and how to tour the historic ships docked in the marina. We were given the tip to ask for a free "observation only" style ticket if we only wanted to view the ships from the dock. Walking around inside the ships required a paid ticket but if you only wanted to walk along the dock and view them or take pictures, you could get a free ticket. 

The dock also offers a great view of the Spinnaker Tower standing tall behind the H.M.S. Warrior.

Once you pass the guard/employee checking for those paid tickets, there is a ramp for mobility access to tour these historic ships. Though there is a sign cautioning how treacherous walking can be once onboard.

Dad and I chose to grab lunch at the guide's recommendation, The Ship & Castle. Our guide gave us the lowdown on the ride over about how ordering at a British Pub means you grab a numbered table, decide what you want to eat from the menus that sit in a stand at the table, then go up to the bar to place your order and give them the number to your table so they know where to bring it once the food is ready. This is also when you would pay for the meal and receive any drinks requested to carry back to your table. This restaurant is also located right across from the warships and around the corner from where the bus picked us up so we chose it partly for the lack of walking required. 

We both played it gastronomically safe and ordered the "Smashed Burger" described as a 3 oz patty with cheese and served with fries. Interesting how the hotel's menu and most everywhere else used the British term of "chips" while this menu listed them as fries. The burger patty was so small it looked almost non existent inside the bun and came with nothing but the cheese on top. Not the typical arrangement of onions, tomato, lettuce, and pickles you might find at an American restaurant. As far as taste goes however, the burgers had a bland mealy taste to them reminding me of either formerly frozen or those imitation plant based burger patties. The fries were good but the ketchup had some sort of spice or diced veggie mix added to it that neither of us cared for. It also made the consistency thinner. 

The temperature outside was a little cool and the winds were brisk so Dad opted to hang out at the table while I wandered around to see if there was anything else to check out while we still had our free time. After walking a couple blocks it was time to jump back on the bus.

Have you even been to England if you don't get a photo of the "Look Left" pedestrian markings?