We had the morning to explore Portsmouth before taking the ferry to Cherbourg, France. I love the varied colors of the row houses, the open space by the sea, and the relatively warmer and sunnier weather. For the first time in about six weeks, I am comfortable, at least when not in the wind.
Portsmouth is an island city with a population density greater than London. Even though there are more than a million inhabitants, Portsmouth does not appear as crowded as London.
We visited the Portsmouth D-Day Museum, which features large embroidered panels of Operation Overlord, the code name for the Battle of Normandy. These were extremely well done, with recognizable faces and realistic scenes depicting battles and injuries. There are more 50 different materials used in the making of the panels, including materials taken from uniforms of the armed forces involved in the battles.
We had a light lunch on a restaurant’s veranda next to the ocean, and then we scrambled to meet the Ferry. It is a three-hour crossing on the “fast ferry” and we arrived there around 8 P.M. French time (GMT +1). Left, first sighting of French soil. We had no trouble finding the B & B, had a late supper, tasted French beer, and went to bed. Traveling can be very tiring.
Your international travels have been a great read. I look forward to France. Pretty soon you will need to call yourselves ex-pats.
Sue (Hammock Hanger)
Not an ex-pat yet. I am looking forward to returning home. I miss family, friends, daily rituals, and most of all home cooking. I have loved all the foods I have tried, except for the Portuguese stuffed pig’s intestines; I am now ready for more vegetables and smaller meals.
I love the multi-colored houses!
“Traveling can be very tiring.” That’s got to be the understatement of the year as regards you and Dennis. Traveling is tiring for us normal people who take planes and shuttles–but for yourguys, hiking and biking with backpacks–“tiring” isn’t the word for it.
Sonia,
I find the hiking and biking less draining on me than sitting and waiting. At least the activity fills me with a sense of accomplishment, unlike taking a bus from one point to another. When I am walking, I am on my own schedule, and not determine by someone else.
There’s a famous movie, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.” Do you know of it?
Sonia,
I am not familiar with that 1964 French musical starring Catherine Deneuve, but I do like here acting. I may look into it when I return.
yes the bright houses are really beautiful.
glad you all are now in france.
Hi Jane, I liked the different colors of the houses too. They made a nice picture. It sounds like so far you’re having a good time. Love the picture of the ocean, it’s so blue it looks purple.
Donna Jean,
What a difference a color can make. I am learning to really like the bold primary palate.
Hi Jane,
I hope your trip is going smoothly through Europe.
The multicoloured houses in Exmouth Road off the famous Albert Road Southsea and just a few hundred yards away from us are due to local residents and street artist James Porter. This was in collaboration with Tim Hobbs who linked the idea with International Peace Day on 21st September 2010, and each colour represents a troubled country. Incidentally on the other side of the road is the magnificently restored Edwardian Kings theatre where my mother went as a child courtesy of the Navy to see pantomimes and I developed my love of opera initially to support it and to save it from becoming a pub.
Dave,
Thank your for explaining the colored row houses…I did not know the history behind it, just that it was eye-appealing. We also have photos of the King’s theater.
Thank you for being such a wonderful host.
Jane