General Chat

Wonderful, Sharron!! :-D :-D

When I went to Southampton a few weeks ago, I saw a bloke on a bike - with a mullett! :-D

My late mate and I sat in the pub opposite the theatre one lunchtime and, as we were saying how Southsea appeared to be in a time warp, stuck in the fifties/early sixties, a woman walked past pushing a coachbuilt pram.

The Royal Garrison Church closed in the very early 1970's, when the Garrison moved!!
It re-opened in 1990, after a few locals contacted English Heritage.
The chancel is the only bit not affected by the bombing in 1941, but it includes the organ, some very old pews, the alter and some fascinating tiles!
Though English Heritage gives opening hours, it's run by the most amazing and lovely volunteers, who try to open it from Tuesday to Saturday, but sometimes volunteers aren't available, so it can be a bit 'hit and miss'..

Billy Mannings on Clarence Pier is still there, though the 'mouse' wasn't running on Saturday - bit too wet! :-D

Great Maggie, I used to work with somebody whose relatives, probably parents ran the Still and West and she lived there, never went there myself, never seen the garrison church open either, didn't know they opened it. Is the fair still at Clarence? Our lunch times used to be spent sitting on the hot walls in old Portsmouth, some swam, I didn't.

Well, strangely, I went to Southsea yesterday!!
The driver phoned up (when it was sunny) and suggested it - no hint from me!! :-D
We agreed it would be nice to pootle around Albert Road etc.

He turned up, we started off - and the rain started to fall :-(

It lashed it down. We parked on Clarence Parade, and as it wasn't a day to stroll around, made our way to Old Portsmouth. We've been to Southsea before, and, true to form it's rained, so Old Portsmouth, or the museum is our 'default' mode.

We passed the Garrison Church - which was just a boarded up mystery when I lived in the area - and this was the first time we'd seen it open, so had to go in - if for no other reason, than a respite from the rain. It was well worth the visit :-D

Had a pint in Spice Island - contemplated another in the Still & West (well, that's a pint for me, a coffee for the driver), or even going over to Stokes Bay to look at the ship, but decided to call it a day, as the rain was so heavy, even seeing the USS WH George Bush would be difficult, so we'll come again when it's sunny.

The drive back was fun :-S A lot of standing water on the motorway :-(

Roger - didn't I tell you ! you can't trust them!

ENGLAND BEWARE! :-P The fight is on. President Donald just might find England easier to govern.

:-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D

Don't wait on the shrimp boat Muther......

Father's coming home with the crabs.
.

Roger :-D :-D :-D :-D

Ann, I've been back to the Seafront, and to Gunwharf Quays.
That was confusing, as I could see the wonderful old rope shops, but found it hard to orientate myself.

My dad's stepfather (a Lt Commander) was born and brought up in Landport,
though his career was established in Plymouth.
However, when I went for the interview at the Dockyard, when they saw my(unusual) name, they asked if I was related.
Ex's father was a Lt Commander too - but he has an 'ordinary' name, and was applying for a blue collar job, so they didn't ask about his dad! :-D :-D

I feel the need to see the place again - even if it's just to say 'let's get out of here' :-D

Rumour has it the Americans have already sent out a raiding party and are about to raise the Stars and Stripes over Fratton Park. Never fear, an army 18,000 strong has been raised to await the first battle which is due to kick-off at 3 pm on 5th August.

Heaven's Light Our Guide

I always thought I would be glad to see the back of the Tricorn but I miss it now.

Maggie you will probably find it much changed if you do, probably sanatized. I never lived in Portsmouth but most of my Mum's siblings did so I visited frequently, we go back for a walk around but rarely get further than the harbour area where the shopping centre is. Occasionally I make out scenes I remember from when I walked from the ferry to Cambridge barracks but mostly it looks different. The area round the main gate looks the same though. Long time since we visited the Edinburgh road area. The road names are familiar to me Maggie but I can't remember where they are now.

Rollo, yes one of the better things they did was to get rid of the Tricorn, awful building. Used to love the Charlotte Street market when I was taken there by my Mum when little, all the shouting to sell lots of china, all so colourful.

Ann, I lived in Southsea. initially in Wimbledon Park Road, then for a short time in Elphinstone Road, and finally in Campbell Road.
Ex lived in St Ronan's Road, and we regularly frequented the Royal Albert (a 'spit & sawdust' pub then)
Ex and I had an argument one night, so I started chatting up other male clientele.
Failed miserably - they were all lovely - but gay!! :-D :-D :-D

There was a small pub in Queen Street I occasionally went in, on my way home.
Whenever I went in there, there was a very tall man who said his name was Pedro.
I'm not sure if he worked there - but he was always in there.
Sometimes he would dress as a matador, other times, as a female flamenco dancer! :-D :-D :-D

I feel the need to go back for a stroll around.

There are only a handful of real pubs left in Portsmouth. There are at least two which don't even serve draft bitter. Thank God the Tricorn has gone.

My mother, then a Snr nurse at St Marys met my father soon after the end of ww2 when he was posted to HMS Victory. I have lots of rellies in the city/Gosport mostly connected to the Andrew one way or the other.

The two new Qe class carriers are supposed to be able to dock there will be a huge crowd but no free beer. HMS Ocean has been sold to Brazil. Good timing (not) if Putin tries it on in the Baltic.

Mmmm there were, think some of them may still be there. I was so young and innocent, and had my own sailor boy that I never went in them. Used to go in the NAAFI though, that was fun.

1974 ish, I think, Ann.
There were some very interesting pubs in Portsmouth - Particularly around the gates ;-)

Probably after I had left (1961) though Maggie. OH failed his first driving test which was just around lunch time in Portsmouth, for not giving way to cyclists. I think I only cycled through the area once or twice but not amongst the dockyard exit. I actually only worked in the yard twice a week, the other three days I was at Cambridge Barracks opposite the NAAFI. But was always in the area of the yard as I caught the ferry from/to gosport twice a day.

Ah, Ann I was one of them - at home time :-D