Seeing the Mother Land

Yes, I am well aware that for the same price I could have seen some fantastic destinations around Europe, but instead I parted with my hard earned pounds to purchase my passage on the fine National Express to get a better look around the Mother country. Well I daren’t call England my home and not get a decent look at it, although I am sad to admit a great number of English people do. First was a weekend in Portsmouth to farewell a very good friend who I have been fortunate enough to spend a great deal with in fun Brum as well as Barcelona. What can I say? All the hostels in Brighton were booked out and I hadn’t seen the ocean for an uncomfortably long time.

What a lovely town Portsmouth is. I was particularly fond of the tacky waterside fair. It was all fun and lights with girly squeals emanating from the roller coaster. We went there to have gelato and fairy floss and breathe in some sugary seaside air. We then walked along the water to the towering (and seemingly pregnant) lighthouse, stopping at a few historic sights and a quirky art gallery on the way. Beside the lighthouse is a bustling shopping and restaurant district which looks very new and modern and reminded me of Darling Harbour in Sydney. I adored the charming little fishing boats - if you have to stink of fish you might as well do it in style.

We went to a heavy metal/alternative nightclub for some socialising on the Saturday night to get a feel for how the natives partied. Portsmouth’s finest gothic residents turned out in their best attire, as did average, alternative and generally good-natured folk. The music wasn’t as bad as I had expected and we ended up having a raging good night, dancing up a storm on the dance floor to 70s rock and roll. The nightclub was situated at the end of a stunning pier which by day makes a great tourist snap.

The following day was a steaming 25 degrees. Not exactly a heatwave. Still, the good people of Portsmouth turned out in thousands to the waterfront parklands for barbeques and general shirtless fun. Little old nannas were even sitting out in the sun in their wheelchairs soaking it up. I was still wearing a light jacket.

I also got a look at the HMS Victory. The official story is that the ship has been in the naval fleet for over 200 years and it even fought in the Battle of Trafalgar. The truth is, which is obvious by looking at it, that the HMS Victory used to be a pirate ship.

Not long after my Portsmouth visit I was fortunate to visit a friend and fellow debater in Bedford, which is a lovely small town north of London. The most striking feature of Bedford is the River Great Ouse (awesome name for a river!) which runs through the centre of town, much to the pleasure of many locals, tourists, swans and rowers. There are quaint town markets selling all kinds of fresh produce. And most excitingly the town is scattered with enchanting amusements for children such as a set of musical squares that work by jumping on them, a glittering tornado, and a large kaleidoscope that points to the sky.

Back in my own part of the country, I somewhat recently discovered that I live not five minutes away from the Edgbaston Reservoir; a massive lake created in the 19th Century originally as a dam. It is now used for recreation, as there are large reserves of parkland around the perimeter. I have been trying to get down there several times a week to hang out with the ducks and get some exercise.
I have recently started a new job with the Gambling Commission which I am thoroughly enjoying and I am planning a trip though Europe in August. I just booked a flight to Paris for £18 so more news to come soon.

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