Portsmouth Harbour - a rainy day

[spindrift]

We had intended, yesterday, to have a late lunch and go shopping at the new retail outlet of Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth, but we lost our way. As my companion did a three-point turn in the road I looked behind me and spied a quay from whence a car ferry would depart to France. Seeing there were no barriers and the way was open to me to take pictures I leapt out into the pouring rain and strode forward.

A strong fishy smell drew me around the corner where, delight of delights, I found some real fishing boats and a small fish market.
As it was 2pm most of the action of the day was over; there were not many people around and the fishermen who were still there (red-faced and weatherbeaten) were probably dumbfounded by my appearance with a large camera in the rain.

I spotted this cheerful car on my way out.

By the time we reached Gunwharf Quay the sun had appeared and I couldn't resist taking a picture of the viewing platform. Why all the police officers, I wondered? A training day! not for real, no crisis!



We were still enjoying time in the restaurant as the sun set early and lights started twinkling.

Time to go home.

Just for interest I thought I'd show you the view from the restaurant window looking over towards another pub and old houses. The lights in the distance are situated on the Isle of Wight.

I have no idea how to take a picture at night and I'm guessing I need a tripod. I'm sure it's better not to take pictures through glass windows!

[Deleted]

Beautiful, Spindrift -- and the rain did not even last all day.

Fishing ports have a tremendous appeal to me.

[spindrift]

Me too..... the little harbours in Cornwall and Devon are the ones that delight me the most.

[imec]

This is great spindrift! I love the little pub. What does "TANT SOUN" mean?

[Deleted]

That is a part of a crawling message, no?

[spindrift]

Yes it is a part of a crawling message. I imagine that 'stant' is 'instant'.... but instant soun?

We haven't yet worked out how to reach that interesting pub, mainly because it was raining. We'll go back there and try it out. I reckon that one could spend days investigating these large harbours. I had no idea there was so much movement of ships in the harbour. There is a constant procession of them. I don't know how they don't bump into each other what with all the reversing going on. Perhaps they do!

I'll have to return to examine that large painting on the side of the pub. I'm guessing it features a scene from the Victory or the Mary Rose.

[bixaorellana]

Spindrift ~~ what a wonderful trip this! The photos are great and there is so much information here. What I really love are the contrasts -- you turned a corner and wound up in another world.

Since I come from a place with car ferries crossing the river, I thought I had a picture of such ferries in my head. Not so. These are ferries on steroids!

The feel and smell the salt air comes through in your pictures of the fishing harbor -- just beautiful.

Looking at all this prompted me to look up Portsmouth. What a history! A surprising piece of information was that it is the UK's only island city.

I can't wait for you to go back to visit!

[spindrift]

Bixa! thanks... and I had NO IDEA that it is an island city. Oh my goodness! On the way in it's all motorways. Now I think of it I did see some water and boats on the righthand side driving in!

Yes, my companion remarked that it was curious how we got lost and then found something different. He tells me that it's possible to go on board a submarine in nearby Gosport. I'd like to do that.

I realise there's so much to see in the vicinity of where I live. It's just a matter of coming to terms with the volume of traffic, 'no entry' streets and one-way roads. It's so easy to go shooting past and then find great difficulty in turning around and going back. Of course then there's 'no parking' when one eventually finds the place one wants to stop! That's England now!

[bixaorellana]

It's a tight little isle! ;D

[auntieannie]

I see "working" harbours almost like huge train stations. I could spend a whole day around a big station. with the added bonus of people watching made easier than in a harbour.

[spindrift]

Annie - shall we do a day's people watching at Waterloo and take pics? That would be interesting. I like Waterloo.

[auntieannie]

I'd love that, Spindrift!