Now Isn't That Typical?

I wonder how many times that may have been said? Eddie and I were certainly saying it this morning, as we woke up and couldn't hear the raindrops pattering on the windowpane!  Back from a very nice few days away, but there's no doubt about it the weather could have been better. 

It all started well, although no blue skies it was dry and as we drove along the views were not too bad ... a little like this image below.

We spent time with family and friends and were fortunate on the morning we decided to go to Gunwharf Quays, the weather was quite pleasant. The waterfront overlooks Gunwharf Quays Marina which can accommodate all types of craft including luxury yachts up to 80 metres and has often played host to national and international sailing events. We sat looking at a view very similar to this ...

 

Gunwharf Quays is an outlet retail destination with 90 outlet stores and 30 restaurants, bars and cafés located in Portsmouth, UK. It is a great place to visit. You can sit and relax and watch the world go by, or do some shopping, or visit the Portsmouth Dockyards, Spinnaker Tower, HMS Victory, The Royal Marines Museum and a whole host of other great places, which are nearby. We did a little shopping and then sat and enjoyed lunch. My choice was a delicious rocket salad with mozzarella cheese and some wonderful sweet tasting tomatoes. The glass of wine to accompany it was also very pleasant ...

We could see Spinnaker Tower close by.

It has a glass-floored platform, and overlooks Portsmouth harbour.

Travelling on a little further we went through part of the New Forest and saw scenes like this ...

New Forest Ponies

We also had time to visit Mudeford Quay, which is a place we go to quite often, The last time we went the view was like this ...

But not this time ... the clouds were not at all blue and we walked along in the rain. However, it did not dampen spirits, and there were still a lot of people around. Mudeford is a great place for crabbing and there is also a lovely fish stall on the quay ... and we do like some nice locally caught fish!

We had hoped on our last day to have been able to get a sight of these, pictured below. The stunning Red Arrows Display team. They were due to fly in the Bournemouth Air Show but alas were not able to due to the bad weather and very poor visibility. A shame for the many folk who had gone along in hope. We have seen then before and they certainly are a majestic sight.

A meal we did enjoy was similar to this pictured below

Griddled sea bass with stuffed courgettes, tomatoes, olives and basil.

So a nice few days away but the weather could have been a little better, lets hope it will be next time

All the best Jan