n.b. Ah! Some parents have arrived, perhaps now we’ll have some music. Dutch Criminal Record were the main act. I enjoyed the up-tempo, high-tone guitar work and snappy bass with sympathetic drum accompaniment. XTC / Orange Juice for the 21st Century. Nice.
n.b. The connections from Portsmouth to the mainland are limited. For those travelling by car the road connections can be a source of frustration; for the residents a source of pollution. Standing traffic is commonplace on these often congested links.
All the train services to Portsmouth must cross the bridge in the photograph. Portsmouth is well-served by rail due to its history as the home of the Royal Navy, (a legacy of Henry VIII).
The proximity to seawater creates an interesting rust colour-base for the rail crossing.
I discovered a few footbridges on a recent walk around the north edge of Portsea Island, but I stayed on board, not having my passport to hand.
It will not be difficult to isolate this city if the Government contingency plans for a possible Covid-19 epidemic are implemented, but I cannot see how it would work for London, for example.
n.b. Breakers yards at the top of Portsea Island have operated here for generations and although on a smaller scale than during the post-war period, it is still fascinating seeing a ship taken apart.
n.b. Portsmouth is Great Britain’s only island city, the second most densely populated urban environment after London. Perhaps it should be twinned with Manhattan?
A brand called Strong Island is developing here. Pompey folk are proud of their home city and are happy to wear the label, despite the island having significant social problems associated with its high density population.
This weekend of treading the streets, stopping here and there to ask questions and to take time wandering, has already led me to establish a sizeable list of places to visit and things to do.