A tale of two cities …
Hi Guys
I hope everyone is well and enjoying the extra bursts of sunshine that we have been blessed with, while also being aware of the autumnal feel to the air.
My beautiful cats are like two little weather apps. I know only too well that the season is on the change. There is a shift in their behaviour. They are suddenly both a lot more house bound. While I absolutely love this, it does also mean we are heading towards a more hygge time of year. However, as island dwellers we are still mainly in shorts and many of my island friends are still going for regular swims in the sea.
Back to school month
So, we are now mid-September, and it seems for many of us September is referred to as our own back to school month. A time to re-evaluate, set goals, a month ready for something new, an endeavour or an intention, while also a month for releasing the old, be that thoughts or things that no longer serve us. This is what a new moon teaches us too, to release and to welcome.
No passports required:
So continuing my theme for something new. I have decided that my blog this month will have a little shift from my usual coast and country landscape to cityscape.
As two island based beings, one of our September thoughts is to get off the island a few times and have a little revisit to some of our favourite places on the mainland. The one thing with living here is that during the summer the ferries become incredibly popular/populated. So September is now the time for us to travel, now that the school holidays are over and the ferry availability is easier.
So today I am going to share two places that are very close to my heart.
Winchester and Brighton.
So, when everyone was quite literally having their first day back at school earlier in the month, we booked our first trip off island. By getting a ferry from Fishbourne to Portsmouth, which takes appoximately 45 minutes, followed by a drive down the motorway to Brighton. Anyone who has ever been to Brighton will know exactly what a buzz it brings. It is like a miniature London with everything arty, funky, bohemian squeezed into one space. It is one massive vibrant vision. I always find myself walking around in total awe.
From the moment we arrive in the neighbouring town of Hove and drive along the seafront, I can feel my excitement start to bubble. We retreat to a Square, which provided us with good locked underground parking. Once parked we bounce up the steps and the first thing that we see is the BA i360, and of course the upside down house.
We have arrived just as everyone is setting up for the day.
Top Tip for photography: If staying in a new location, something I used to do especially overseas is to be the early bird that gets the image. It may sound a little crazy to be on a break getting up at 5.30am - yes 5.30am it really does give you the opportunity to capture a sleepy city coming to life and of course, if your medium is landscape, it ensures that is what you get. It really is the golden hour.
We walk along the prom and a man walks towards us with the most ginormous array of flowers which he proudly hands over to one of the sea front restaurants. Everything has such an incredibly flamboyant feel to it.
It is at this point we stop to capture the iconic pier which burnt down in 2003 and now stands almost showing us what resilience it has. I have captured this pier in many different stages over the years and I was really heartened to see that it was still standing. My last visit here was at least 6 years ago!
We walk past various super trendy bars which are open for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and later turn into restaurants and nightclubs. A dance class begins on a roof terrace, as we walk by, and they are dancing to Abba! “I love it here” I squeal and that basically is what I say for the remainder of the day. Everything about Brighton is fun and funky.
It is great to be in a different coastal environment. It is definitely good to have a ride on the carousel, which for me, is the perfect beach ride.
Brighton for us is host to several celebrations, the most important being that we got engaged there. It is also home to some pretty awesome vegetarian restaurants. I just love the eclectic feel that you get from just being around so many trendy and happening places.
A walk along the seafront, watching people swim, paddle board and jog, just as they do on this island. However, the structure here is incredibly different, on the island (IOW)beaches are bays and coves. Brighton is a massive seafront which is an extension to their city life and a suburb within itself. We enjoy the whole vibe. There was also a photographic exhibition on the beach, which did of course put me very much in my own element.
Our next trip took us to Winchester, the start of so many things, my life, my family, my marriage, my home and so many friendships.
This trip begins with a ferry from East Cowes into Southampton.
I have opted to get an early ferry, so that we can enjoy the city before the real buzz begins.
The ferry takes an hour to get to Southampton, and after a drive up the Avenue (the road out of Southampton) we are on the M3 driving towards Winchester, which only takes about 20 minutes.
From the moment we arrive in this beautiful city, my birthplace, it has my heart. Winchester holds a lifetime of memories for me.
It is home to so many monumental buildings and sensational architecture. The streets are bathed in history and Winchester is also renown for its art and cafe culture. Winchester has a good, gentle vibe, people watching, enjoying the scene, the culture. It has a sheer opulence about it. There are so many places to visit, the list is absolutely endless.
Today we are heading for Winchester Cathedral which is the centre of all that happens in the city. Today it is to play host to their Flower Festival.
The Cathedral is also famous for having the longest nave. Is home to the Sir Anthony Gormley sculpture called Sound II, which located in the Crypt (the blue photo above) and it is also the resting place of Jane Austen and Saint Swithun to name but a very few facts.
Once we arrive, we pop into one of our favourite bars for a coffee and the most exquisite piece of homemade Bakewell Cake (made by the owner, who is also a friend).
While waiting for our 1pm booked slot at the Festival. We decide to go for a little walk down memory lane. This proves to be a far more emotive and evocative experience than even I had anticipated. Life changes, people move on, buildings close down. When going to a flower festival after one such walk, always be grateful that you are wearing a mask.
The artistic talent behind these floral displays was phenomenal and beyond my vocabulary, the music and screen images of the pandemic which were shown within the festival were so moving and unforgettable. The flower displays were simply stunning.
Today as I think my photos may show. I am grateful for my life, past and present.
Other News and Views:-
The Island has become more settled and although it is now day 1 of the Isle of Wight Festival, the pace of the island will slow down.
The beaches are beautiful and have also reverted back to their quiet status. We participated in a beach clean one morning, which was very satisfying. As well as being kind to the environment. It really made me realise what an impact pieces of plastic have on the seas and animals. I picked up many plastic bucket handles and also a plastic toy horse! Which also made me appreciate that things on the beach get buried during play too.
Following on with a heritage theme, we also visited beautiful Osborne House, home to Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and children. Further appreciating the fact, that life is now in a very different place to a year ago and that we are now once again a little more liberated by what and where we can visit.
As we approach the autumn equinox. I look forward to sharing some more images and adventures with you.
Until next time stay safe.
Enjoy everything.
Jules xx