We had brought provisions for a schematic breakfast with us and made tea to go with this.

Then it was time to confront the shower. This is always a small adventure in a new place as showers vary enormously not only in their intended facilities but also in their quirks and vices. I am the designated shower pioneer and report my findings back to Tigger.

The shower in this hotel, I glad to say, is fairly well behaved. It produces a steady supply of water at your chosen temperature without sudden scaldings or cold snaps.

The Hard – HMS Wsrrior

We took the bus to the Hard, as usual. The cafe we had visited yesterday was open and today I found out its name.

Oasis

We decided to have a brunch or early lunch as that would leave us free for our next activities.

Inside Oasis

We had hoped to visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard but it turned out that you have to book in advance at present so we left it this time around.

Victoria Gateway

Instead, while I made a detour via the toilet (where I had to queue – o tempora o mores), Tigger booked a boat tour of the harbour.

Monument

Passing through Gunwharf Quays to reach the tour boat, we discovered this monument to defusers of mines.

The Spinnaker

I took the opportunity of a better angle to photograph the Spinnaker. You probably can’t see them but there were two, presumably maintenance, men hanging down the outside, each from a thread like a spider.

Aboard the tour boat

We boarded the tour boat and while the rest of the passengers went into the upper covered areas, we stayed in the stern, initially alone but later with a few others.

Isle of Wight Ferry departing

As our craft was reversing out of its mooring, our path was crossed by the Isle of Wight ferry backing out, like us, into the main channel. This is always an impressive sight not least for the inch-perfect skill with which this massive ship enters and leaves its dock.

The view behind

There was a spoken commentary relayed over the loudspeakers but, with my hearing, I could barely understand it. In any case, it was largely concerned with the naval vessels in the harbour, their vital statistics, history, etc. etc. So I tuned out and looked at whatever I found to interest me.

The Gosport Ferry

We passed the Gosport Ferry about to sail. This useful service is under threat (and, some say, always has been) partly because of the cost of tickets which people find too expensive.

HMS Warrior, stern view

Yes, this is HMS Warrior again, but this time a view from the stern, only possible from the waters of the harbour.

HMS Queen Elizabeth

Despite being “navaled out” by endless descriptions of war ships, I will include just one, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, nicknamed “Big Bessie”.

Our wash

We left an impressive wash in our wake.

Here are a few photos for which I do not have specific comments, being scenes snapped as we went.

Ashore again, we repaired to Carluccio’s for refreshments. With my coffee I had what is billed as a MERINGA CON PANNA AL FRUTTO DELLA PASSIONE.

Meringue by Carluccio

Well, it is (almost) my birthday!

Aspex Art Gallery

We then visited the Aspex art gallery, whose entrance is discreetly set in a courtyard. You are allowed to photograph the artworks and there is a shop and a cafe. The only formality is that, in common with many establishments, they ask one member of the group to provide name, phone number and post code, in case Covid-19 tracing should be required.

Daphne (part)

The exhibition was Daphne by Sarah Taylor Silverwood. Modern art like this is not on my wavelength (or I am not on its wavelength), so I will not venture an opinion. I recognise that there is something there but quite what, I don’t know.

Camber Dock

We took a turn round Camber Dock, one of the harbour’s oldest, which seems now to be mainly for fishing boats and other small craft.

Juvenile gull

A juvenile gull is prospecting for food aboard a fishing boat.

A view of the dock

From here…

Doorway to the beach

…we came to a doorway to the beach.

Hotwalls Beach(?)

We think the beach is called Hotwalls Beach. The doorway is in fact an opening in the fortifications built to protect against invaders.

Portsmouth Cathedral

We reached Portsmouth Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of St Thomas. We did not visit it but decided, as we had done a lot of walking, to return to the hotel, which is nearby, for a rest and a cup of tea.

Around 6pm we readied ourselves once more and went out.

Agora

On a bus ride yesterday, we had seen a certain restaurant and wanted to try it. Called Agora, it bills itself as offering authentic Greek and Turkish cuisine.

Turkish colourful lamps

Happily, it was far from crowded and we had a choice of tables. I had hoped they might have lentille soup on the menu but in that I was disappointed. Otherwise, the food was good.

Ayran in pewter tankards

As they did not serve Turkish tea (another disappointment), we had ayran to drink. It was served in these decorative pewter tankards.

Sunset from the bus stop
Photo by Tigger

After the meal, we went to the bus stop where Tigger took a photo looking along the road which happened to be in line with the setting sun.

Sunset at Portsmouth Harbour

The bus took us to the Hard, where we had to wait for a second bus for the hotel. This provided the opportunity for more sunset pictures, this time looking across the harbour.

The arrival of a number 23 bus concluded this stage of the day’s outing.