Bills Posts

I went through a phase where I had the desire to run. I actually di couch to 5K, twice. Covid knocked it out of me, but in reality I should have kept it going. It definitely helped me lose weight. Most of which I have now put back on.

Why am I telling you this? Because I have a ridiculous story. I would run at lunchtime. I followed the same route. There was one point on the run where I had to move further out in to the road to avoid a wild plant growing at the road side. It was quite safe, the road is within a controlled area, and traffic is very light and very pedestrian aware.

Anyhow, I became quite attached to the plant, as marked a way point on my run, once I passed I knew I didn’t have far to go. Then some silly so-and-so sprayed it with weed killer and it died. To be honest, I was devastated – like I said how ridiculous was that growing attached to a wild plant.

I think on my next few walks I’m going to take pictures of wild plants on my route. No particular reason, just an urge.

One thing that happened very quickly when the Queen died was the Portsmouth Harbour Master, which I had known as The Queens Harbour Master (QHM) immediately became KHM, The King’s Harbour Master.

I subscribe to the email issued daily by The KHM, the email lists major ship movements through the harbour, in and out over the day. I was surprised to see that whilst Contentin is listed, so are Mon St Michel and Normandie. Just at times of day when I won’t see them.

We’ve been on the Mon St Michell, when we went to France, I think it was 2013. The journey back wasn’t brilliant, only in that (apart from other issues I won’t talk about) the cabin we had was stuffily hot, we were tired and couldn’t sleep. If it hadn’t been (hot and stuffy) it would have been nice. Actually, a nice end to a lovely holiday.

The ship is the Contentin. She’s been a regular visitor for quite a while now. I can’t help wondering when the other ferries will start returning in the mornings. Something to look out for.

The new bus stop on the crossways is still covered. It’s not going to come in to service until the new bus (halt, station, stop – what do i call it)? Is active. I think that is a couple of weeks away. The electronics, lighting and glass and some of the barriers are still to be installed. Some quite rapid changes happening. Something look out for.

Then, as soon as the new bus thing comes into service, the demolition of the old bus station will start. That’s also something to keep an eye out for.

Then there’s the high street, will anything be changing there? Perhaps a new shop opening? That would be nice. I’m not going to suggest the alternative. I’ll keep an eye out there.

Changes and things to watch for. Adding a little spice to the morning walk.

Today was one of those days when I really didn’t feel like do anything, but we did manage to give the house a quick clean to at least remove some of the dust from the previous two weeks. I am thinking that we have another two weeks to go – at least I hope it’s no longer than that. But then there is the decoration and restoration of furniture with the juggling that will involve. But then there is a new. TV to look forward to.

The frustration is unrelated to the construction that has been going on. It extends from the well known fact that the topics that I have to write about are, to a degree limited, and mainly based around what walks I have done that day. That becomes a bit of a problem when I don’t go for a walk – as was the case today.

I really do need to get my act together, for example, I have an amateur radio licence that at the moment is going mostly unused. All I have to do is pick up the mic. One thing I would love to do is organise another breakfast I can only do that by talking to people, good solid friends whom i have neglected for the last year or longer. Why should the respond?

Come on Bill, get your act together.

I quite like this picture, there’s something almost sad about it. A lone bird sailing away.

I think it could be improved though. I’m hoping the next time I go for a walk to have another go and see if I can improve on it.

A picture taken at sunset. Really, a grab shot which I didn’t expect, but the piece is mainly about my morning and afternoon walks. This was part of a rather spectacular sunset. The people are included deliberately, adding a sense of scale, and a degree of atmosphere.

Talking of atmosphere, that;s what’s my writing lacks, a sense of atmosphere. I’m really not very good at it, both through lack of practice and lack of imagination. I tried this morning to think about what my senses were feeling, I’m not going to write about this here. Not sure why, lack of confidence, and besides it would be false, really it should flow naturally which currently, it doesn’t.

I took the afternoon off, so that we visited the Institute of Naval Medicine, it was part of Gosport Heritage Week, Elayne had arranged the visit. It was fascinating, the amount of history there is incredible. Well worth a visit.

The crossways all marked up ready to go, but the bus stop is still covered. I don’t think it will be long now, the main bus halt is still being prepared. I reckon the end of the month. Then the demolition of the old bus station will start.

In the mean time, there was a real atmosphere at the waterfront. I honestly think that under the right conditions, there is nothing more bleak than a seaside town that in that time just before it wakes up. The Contentin slid slowly and gently in to harbour. I am guessing from her style that she carries mainly freight traffic.

When I left the house the first time I had a cardigan on to keep out the morning chill. I soon went back inside to get a fleece, the wind really did cut in to me. There weren’t many people around. If they were staying in Bed because it was cold I cant say as I blame them.

Ok, I agree not the best picture, but really surprised to see this on our lawn after I had gone out to shut up the shed tonight. It definitely hopped as it moved, so I think it’s a frog, but wouldn’t swear to it.

Really lovely to see it though. It has been raining and the ground is wet. I wonder if it’s that which has brought the wildlife out. There were quite a few snails and a huge slug down by the shed, snails are fascinating, and I hate it when I tread on them, feeling to guilty. Slugs on the other hand are gross, so I avoid treading on them for that reason.

Fascinating to see it all though. I didn’t think we would have a frog or a toad in the garden. I wonder where it is living?

It can’t be just the wind? If it were, wouldn’t the smoke be blown as soon as it left the stack? So yes, I think this picture of one of the Virgin cruise ships at berth in Portsmouth Harbour give a good example of a temperature inversion.

The ship was in berth on Sunday. I don’t know if this is a point in the cruise, or turnover. If it is turnover then a couple of thousand people off and on will be causing a bit of chaos in the city.

If it is a mid-point, then Portsmouth is quite a good stop, with plenty to do just within the local area. Just in the harbour there is the boat yard and the museum, along with Victory, The Mary Rose, and Warrior. People could have a ferry ride to Gosport and within easy walking distance are the Explosion and Submarine Museums.

Plus of course not that far from things like Stonehenge, several old house worth a visit, not least of which are Ampnor and Petworth. Both worth a visit. I really can see why this and other cruise lines stop here. Well worth it in my view.

I took this photo today whilst out on a bit of a walk. I think that the hut at the end of a dilapidated pier is full of character, but I’m not satisfied with it, because I would like the background to be out of focus. I may have another go at it, but this will do for this evening.

It was quite a pleasant walk just under four miles. But I confess I was a bit naughty- twice. The first time was when I reached Fort Brockhurst at about 0930. I’d timed it deliberately, The Premier inn just a litte bit further towards Fareham would still be serving breakfast – and very nice it was as well, and it has pretty much lasted me all day.

Then, when I came out, I noted that the time was very close to when it was due to start raining. I’d walked past two bus stops, but there was a queue at the third, so I just kind of loitered and a bus turned up within about five minutes.

IT did start raining. But not at the time it said it would, so I could have walked, but that’s OK – I felt I had done reasonably.