Southsea and Old Portsmouth

Mrs maytrees and I travelled down the A3 to   Southsea yesterday to meet old friends there for coffee and lunch together.

The old friends had purchased an attractive flat in an old Royal Marine block. The husband being an architect, had very attractively re-designed some of the interior of their two bedroomed flat, which overlooks the huge parade ground formerly used by Royal Marines.

We had previously spent a day with them there shortly after the flat had been purchased, see Southsea but our visit this time was in warmer weather and  thankfully free of any kind of Covid-19 restrictions.

We had a remarkably enjoyable lunch in  a local pub which was preceded by strolls through a local pottery making centre. 

The Brittany Ferries passenger ferry, the Duke of Normandie sailed closely by as we  dined. 

Strangely, years ago mrs maytrees and I  with children, had by chance met the two of them on our way back from a gite holiday in Northern France on the same ferry.The Duke of Normandie was looking rather in need of updating now though. Also from the paucity of the number of passengers on deck in what is after all peak holiday season, I could only assume that today many prefer queuing at Gatwick to sailing over to France. 

Possibly ferries are far more expensive these days than plane fares; who knows?

Old Portsmouth was interesting to stroll through especially as there are a huge number of additional coastal defences in the form of rocks and boulders being laid along the coast to safeguard against tidal flooding in the years ahead.

During our strolls through the old castle we came across

a number of small shops which were worth browsing through. A noteworthy feature was the apparent emptiness  of Old Portsmouth and Southsea. Perhaps everyone was still queuing up at Gatwick airport! If so that would have been their loss and our gain.

The sea was  busy. In addition the the Brittany ferry there were ferries to and from the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island and a huge Serco working ship being piloted out  

Further away one of the nation's new aircraft carriers could be seen. 

Preparations were clearly in hand for a very large music concert on land as there were several stages being erected along with ticketing and lighting arrangements, signifying that huge audiences were expected.

A great day away.