Bills Posts

As a plant, Sunflowers are amongst my favourite. There’s something about them that just appeals to me. This one is growing through the path in the middle of the veggie patch.

This part of the veggie patch is near the bird table. So, either the starlings or the pigeons, who are not particularly neat eaters – indeed, I’ve seen them throw seed quite a distance in there exuberance. Either that or they are disgusted at the contents of the table. Which doesn’t really hold up seeing as I have to replenish it every day.

Anyhow, I suspect I may be too late for this batch of sunflowers, but next years, if some grow again I may look into giving them a bit of a mollycoddle.

We had planned to go to Fishbourne Palace today for a day out. Of course, it was only as I checked for opening times this morning that we found out that it was closed.

There’s a bit of a difference between visiting an historic archeological site of an roman villa and a quick tour around a garden centre. Lunch helped just a little bit a sausage baguette with caramelised onion, and a little bit of (actually not very exciting) side salad. The sandwich was quite nice.

Then we came home and sat in the garden, reading and snoozing. Turns out, it was quite a nice day.

Yesterday, I promised I would write about the Cumbrian Fisher. Apparently, she is on loan to the MOD. It’s nearly always berthed next to Gosport Marina, slowly discharging her cargo in to the holds of other ships. Every so often she leaves port to refuel. I’d noticed last week that she wasn’t at her normal station.

When I arrived at the ferry, it was in time to see a tug come in through the harbour entrance. As the nose of the ship came in, I realised it was the Cumbrian Fisher. I wondered how they were going to work it, take it up to the turning circle, I didn’t think the tugs would turn here on the spot, but that’s what they did, and then pushed her sideways on into the berth. Fascinating to watch, the skills of the tug drivers is exceptional. On Twitter, I follow Tug Master Lloyd (@Towing_man) who is a tug driver. I’ve asked him if there is a word in the industry for the process of marshalling a ship.

A very interesting period in the morning.

I’ve had Internet problems today, and was concerned that I would have to resort to tethering to my phone to get a post done. Anyhow, I thought I would go over to Portsmouth to have a browse around Waterstones. There were very few people in the shop, and I had no problems keeping my self isolated, of course with a mask in place.

Clearly, the picture isn’t of Waterstones. It is of the old cathedral. There has been a church of some kind on the site since 1180. I walked all around the outside and then went in for a look around. I took the opportunity to contemplate. The only time anyone spoke to me was to warn me a test of the fire alarm was imminent.

I walked back to the ferry going via Gunwharf.

I’ll write about the Cumbrian Fisher tomorrow.

Just a single picture of part of King’s Somborne. This village is on the route of the Clarendon Way. This is a walk that runs from Salisbury to Winchester, a distance of about 24 miles. Every year, the Naomi House Children’s Hospice sponsors a walk on the route.

This year, there were just over 100 walkers taking part in the sponsored walk. As a member of RAYNET, we were placed at various points along the route to check on the progress of participants and to provide communications to Marshall’s on the walk.

It was a glorious, sunny morning, warm in a picturesque part of the country. A very pleasant time, and it was a pleasure to be of assistance to the public. A very nice morning.

Admittedly, this could be a cruise ship anywhere. But it isn’t. It’s one of seven ships that were today anchored in the bay off Weymouth, Dorset. The ships are (the only word I can think of) furloughed because of Corona Virus. This is the Aurora, owned by the Carnival Line, The other ships were; Marella Discovery, Queen Elizabeth, P&O’s Britannia, Queen Victoria, Marella Explorer, Queen Mary. The Jewel of the Seas was berthed at Portland Bill. We have been on two of these ships, and were due to go on a third. Then Lockdown kicked in, putting a stop to that.

These seven ships would normally carry about three thousand people each. Every day they are here, not doing their job, means around 21,000 people are not on holiday. When operational, each of these ships would have at least a thousand crew, from the captain down. Are these people all on board still? Have they been sent home? Many of the crew(s) are not British, therefore not subject to our laws, therefore not furlowed. Are they receiving pay? Do they even have a job? I don’t know, but I wish them well, not that it will do them any good.

It was an amazing and lovely view, something that you wouldn’t normally see, but it symbolises a sad and disturbing time, with no end in sight.

The gulls descend on the thrown chips, a ravening hoard, screaming and bellowing they fight for each chip. It would be nice to think that they all get their fair share, but sadly I don’t think they do.

When I walk through the town I see baby seagulls that weaning, they are calling for their parents to feed them, beginning to realise that they are being let loose into the world, their parents next contribution to the gene pool. The call is quite distressing, like all babies crying, very difficult to ignore. Ultimately, hunger will force them to join the mob.

As they say, part of the cycle of life.

THe morning has this hue when I arrive at the waterfront at this time of year. The frustrating thing is, that it is too early for a proper sunrise, which I can’t then stay to see as I need to get home to get ready for work.

A short post tonight, I have something I need to do.

From the Gosport High Street toward Trinity Church, one of several alleyways. I meant to take a picture down the alleyway that was used to press gang men I believe around 1850. Not sure if this allway was a used, as there is nowhere for the pressgang to hide away.

The lights are interesting, green and red – echoing ships lights. Port & Starboard. I could never remember which side was which as you look to the front of a ship, Port is to the left, and Starboard to the right. How did I learn to remember that? Port, the drink is red, red is politically left, therefore port is left.

Notice how the lights are laid though; with the port lights on the right hand side, this means you must be going out of town. To be correctly aligned, you must head in to town. Going out should make any sailor feel uncomfortable.

Yesterday, one of my favourite magazines; Black & White arrived. I always take time to read it, cover to cover and it usually inspires me to do a bit of B&W, This is today’s effort.

Most mornings, at this time (0615 or thereabouts, there are very few people about, perhaps a rough sleeper or two, and the lady whom I see every morning, but have never spoken to, on her way somewhere; to work? Or home from a night shift? Who knows?

I get passed by the occasional cyclist, presumably heading towards the ferry. When I get there, I usually see the same people, even say hello to a couple. Then, every so often somebody will pass a slightly more detailed greeting, such as “Lovely morning isn’t it?” To which I always give a jovial reply..

Then, on the way back, on a Tuesday in particular, the day starts to get busy quickly, There’s Greg’s, with Bob outside, having his breakfast. Tuesday’s are market day, not many stall holders setting up, usually two or three. There’s the shop keeper who sells flour (especially useful during the lockdown). It’s always interesting to see what is going on. Even when it’s quiet.