It is our last day in Bermuda and we have chosen to explore the area around King's Wharf and the Royal Navy Dockyard. A unique place I read about is Glass Beach. It is within walking distance, but kind of hidden and neither of us really is feeling top notch. Yep, getting sick - so sad. We still have our scooter and it takes us there in less than 10 minutes. Check this out - so cool. Once you "think" you are on the right path, these little signs help a bit.
So this beach is not a typical beach - no laying around in the sand here. It's all about the glass.
We met a local man with two small children who were throwing the glass back in like we did with rocks when my children were small. I asked why all the glass was at this particular beach and his response was that there used to be a glass factory around the corner. Now, whether that is true or not, I cannot tell you, but Mr. Google said that it is there because "back when the Royal Navy controlled the Dockyards in Bermuda they would use the site as a dumping ground for glass." Either way - throwing all the glass in the ocean is not the best idea, but it makes for an interesting stop.
It is unlawful to take any - so not a single piece came home with me.
Beautiful view - the water is full of glass as well.
Looking into the clear water.
Back into King's Wharf
We're turning the scooter back in now as the rest is completely walkable. Proof that we had one.
And proof that we rode it. Yep - even in a dress.
We then walked back into the village and straight to the Victualling Yard. A Victualling Yard is an essential part of any naval facility. It is the area concerned with the storage, preparation and packaging of food and drink for the Fleet. The Victualling Yard here is surrounded by a wall with only two gated access points, making it a secure area within the Dockyard, against theft. At the time the Victualling Yard was constructed, the only means of preserving supplies was to salt them and seal them in barrels. Each dockyard had its own cooper or barrel-maker who was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of a large number of barrels. The Cooperage or barrel-maker's workshop was on the northern side of the yard and had two large fireplaces for working the iron hoops which bound the casks.
At the far end of the Yard, is the entrance to the National Museum.
The grounds around the museum are worth looking at as well. This is The High Cave. Prisoners were kept here.
View from the outer deck of the Commissioner's House, which is where the museum is now housed.
Inside the house, each room has been turned into a written museum or sorts. It is different and doesn't really tell the story of the house, but other information is available. The first room we enter is about Slavery in Bermuda. "Slavery and its dramatic impact on Bermuda comprise one of the principal exhibits in Commissioner's House, started in 1824 as a residence for the senior naval officer for the North America station of the Royal Navy. The exhibit in Commissioner's House reveals through text, photographs and artifacts, the development of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Chronicles of slave life in Bermuda shortly after its settlement in 1612, to Emancipation on August 1, 1834, shed light on the arduous journey of black slaves towards liberty. Chilling reminders of a brutal era are revealed through many artifacts recovered from Bermuda wreck sites. I only took pictures of a sign - an effect of not feeling top notch.
Down the hall I spot something fun. Part of The Arnell Miniature Collection. Bermudian husband-and-wife team, Jack and Celia Arnell, shared a fascinating hobby for more than 20 years. It began in 1977 when the couple saw some dollhouse furniture for sale on the Island and were inspired to create their own. Over the years, they built an entire Bermuda-style house with rooms full of cedar furniture, intricate embroidery and decorations. Bermuda's native cedar was once found in forests all over the Island and was used to make most of Bermuda's early furniture. Combined with a simple style and pinned assembly, this hardy and beautiful wood has long made Bermuda furniture strong, durable, and elegant. Dr. Arnell spent hundred of hours whittling away at pieces of cedar to create near-perfect miniatures of Queen Anne-style (1730-80) Bermuda furniture. His one-of-a-kind 18th Century miniatures are so precise that he once said his furniture was no different than life-sized pieces, except that proper joints did not hold them together. He even used tiny tools such as a miniature lathe and dentist drill to create his pocket-sized craft.
A mural in a stairwell.
Okay - my table doesn't look so big now. This is crazy cool.
Another stairwell - original handrails.
Wandering through the house.
And with that, I'm done in. I just want to go to bed and I'm very sad about it as I've looked so forward to this trip. There is still more to see in this area, but bed is what I'm after. I'm greet back at the room by a towel??? So not sure. Off to bed for me and I stayed there for several hours. (post is not done)
Mister arrived back and reminded me that I forgot to get the Traveling Hoodie picture while in town, so we get it done on the balcony.
Watching sail away - I do enjoy these moments.
Heading out into the Narrows.
Now, we're done. Back to bed for me. At least Mister is feeling a bit better. That's good news. I'm not sure how he weathered all the wandering and feeling like crap, but he did. Hats off. Oh, I did get a bit of the sunset.
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