Yesterday we arrived in Southsea. I have been very keen to get to here following time spent googling the place on the Internet.
We made our way to the entrance to the channel for Southsea marina, as we did so we heard a radio conversation between a marina and a boater. The boater was asking for permission to enter an unidentifiable marina for an overnight berth and was being advised that there was no room at the Inn! Oops! Could that be Southsea? We had not considered that it might full and didn't have a plan B! We were quite close to the boats at anchor on the channel and the channel itself. I have mentioned before that it is all but impossible to hear the radio and be heard with the engines running so we have to all but shut down the engines to use it. This presented a problem, the flow was fast and the boats were very close. Martyn got us steady enough to radio through and we held our breath hoping to hear a different voice on the radio to the one declining a berth. We needn't have worried we recived confirmation that they had room for us and gave instructions of where could moor up for the night. One thing that happens on a regular occasion, this being no exception is that nobody can hear the name of the boat correctly. The Northern accent probably doesn't help down here!! We really should have given more thought to the name of our boat it causes endless confusion over the radio. We have not yet to be asked for it to be spelled phonetically but that day is bound to come, hope Martyn's ready!
The channel to Southsea marina is something of a challenge, I would not recommend attempting it at night or in fog. You are so close to other boats and the channel twists and turn, the entrance is something else! We are quite narrow comparatively but still had concerns over the width of the entrance. We got in without drama though, always a bonus! The people that run this marina are some of the friendliest we have met so far. We were made very welcome, paid our dues and headed off to the local shop for provisions. We didn't do too much for the rest of the day. We had a walk to the beach, watched the Hayling ferry and discovered some very unusual houseboats, some of which appear inhabited, some don't. Many look like old lifeboats but have so many holes in them you would need more than a draft exluder to keep them warm. They are way above the point at which the sea comes in so at least they won't sink! We had some entertainment for the afternoon, unfortunately at the expense of a boat owner. The yard lads were moving a boat from one end of the marina to the other. Disaster struck when it fell off the trailer blocking the road and causing chaos for around four hours - oops!!! Martyn was fixated watching the drama that ensued. A crane was required in the end. Not quite the Goole Boathouse way.......
Today we thought we would walk into Southsea, it looked picture postcard on the Internet, that's if you can find it! We walked for quite some time along the seafront without problem. There was some sort of carnival going on, although no posters to tell you what for! We located Southsea shopping centre and I have to say I was a little disappointed! I expected lots of unusual shops and was met with the usual high street garbage! We spent most of the day walking for miles trying to find places. The inevitable happened on the way back, we got lost! Martyn had been told that the place to be was Albert road. We had already tried to find it in the morning without sucesss. We eventually found it around 6pm this evening and then got lost again trying to get back to the marina. I'm beginning to believe I don't do inland anymore!
What really amazed me today was the view on the coastal road from the marina to Southsea front. The Isle of Wight is so prominent and the sail boats just seem to fill the horizon! It makes for a nerve racking scene when you think you will have to navigate it very soon! We watched the Isle of Wight ferries in and out and found ourselves at the ferry terminal where we have been so many times on the scooters. As we passed by I remembered how excited and relieved I used to be to arrive here! It was the end of the big road adventure and the beginning of a five day party with good friends and always the promise of making more! I feel quite sad that this year we probably won't do that, at least not by scooter!
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