A few of us met at the central bus stop in Totton at 9.30am this morning to catch the earliest bus that we could into the City to make the most of our day in the Portsmouth area. Changing buses at West Quay we climbed aboard the X5 to take us all the way there. It was a long, meandering route by way of the Itchen Bridge into Woolston and on through Sholing to Burseldon and we then threaded through the traffic in Lowford and on into Titchfield where the streets were even narrower with a couple of very sharp bends which the driver carefully negotiated.
Then it was back on the A27 and past the Swanwick boat yard and Sarisbury reaching Fareham bus station for a change of driver. Then onwards again catching a glimpse of Fareham creek through the arches of the railway bridge. Continuing via Portchester and skirting the northernmost part of the harbour by Port Solent we picked up the M275 and raced our way into Portsmouth and eventually made it to The Hard bus station terminus.
There we made up our minds to catch another bus to Southsea for some bracing sea air. You can’t visit Southsea without venturing onto the pier. Resisting the slot machines and the funfair we discovered a pleasant fish restaurant for some sustenance and a drink.
We decided then to burn off the calories by walking along the esplanade and across the parks but spoilt our healthy resolution by finding an ice cream stall which couldn’t be resisted. Who cares. We were enjoying our day out in the sunshine! Keeping the Spinnaker Tower in sight above the trees and buildings as a guide we reached Gunwharf Quay where we made our way through and back to The Hard with 5 minutes to spare before the bus left for the return journey to Southampton and then on to Totton for 6pm.
It’s surprising how tiring it gets even when you’re sitting down for most of the day but we all seemed to have enjoyed our “free” day out. Join us again next time but we need some ideas of some interesting places to visit by bus in a day. Perhaps you may hear of something special happening or an exhibition worth going to. Let us know.
Chris and Ken
Sent from my iPad
A few of us met at the central bus stop in Totton at 9.30am this morning to catch the earliest bus that we could into the City to make the most of our day in the Portsmouth area. Changing buses at West Quay we climbed aboard the X5 to take us all the way there. It was a long, meandering route by way of the Itchen Bridge into Woolston and on through Sholing to Burseldon and we then threaded through the traffic in Lowford and on into Titchfield where the streets were even narrower with a couple of very sharp bends which the driver carefully negotiated.
Then it was back on the A27 and past the Swanwick boat yard and Sarisbury reaching Fareham bus station for a change of driver. Then onwards again catching a glimpse of Fareham creek through the arches of the railway bridge. Continuing via Portchester and skirting the northernmost part of the harbour by Port Solent we picked up the M275 and raced our way into Portsmouth and eventually made it to The Hard bus station terminus.
There we made up our minds to catch another bus to Southsea for some bracing sea air. You can’t visit Southsea without venturing onto the pier. Resisting the slot machines and the funfair we discovered a pleasant fish restaurant for some sustenance and a drink.
We decided then to burn off the calories by walking along the esplanade and across the parks but spoilt our healthy resolution by finding an ice cream stall which couldn’t be resisted. Who cares. We were enjoying our day out in the sunshine! Keeping the Spinnaker Tower in sight above the trees and buildings as a guide we reached Gunwharf Quay where we made our way through and back to The Hard with 5 minutes to spare before the bus left for the return journey to Southampton and then on to Totton for 6pm.
It’s surprising how tiring it gets even when you’re sitting down for most of the day but we all seemed to have enjoyed our “free” day out. Join us again next time but we need some ideas of some interesting places to visit by bus in a day. Perhaps you may hear of something special happening or an exhibition worth going to. Let us know.
Chris and Ken
Sent from my iPad
