Why are we waiting?
All the band’s friends are here
No one else will come.
.
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.
CLP 13/03/2020
Three roads, one railway
Cross Hilsea Lines to Hampshire
But we’re happy here
.
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.
CLP 02/03/2020
Totally cut up
Dismantled, stripped naked, boned
Empty vessels. Ssssshhhh!
.
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.
CLP 01/03/2020
Yellow and purple crocuses
Shiver in the humid wind
Fierce rattle of branches above
Dogs trot and squat
Their owners bowing down
In homage
Gathering up the shit
.
n.b. You have to hand it to dog-owners, they really love those animals. Thank you for cleaning up as they go.
.
CLP 15/02/2020
In 1787 eleven ships
Set sail from Spithead
To New South Wales
On board people
Sentenced to Penal Servitude
For their crimes
” – the birth of modern Australia”
It’s only half the story
.
In 1987 was there a pause, your Majesty
To consider the impending fate
Of those indigenous people
Who did not understand
What was happening
When eleven ships arrived
In New South Wales
From Spithead?
.
CLP 10/02/2020
Determined to stay
Exploring Portsea Island
Unearthing treasures
.
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.
It’s alright here.
CLP 08/02/2020
