Leaving early I headed into the fair town of Weymouth and then to Portland. Famous for the nearby Chesil beach and of course, its stone quarries and the prison right at the top, it was a place I had visited many times while I was in the Royal Navy. For many years Portland was a major focal point for the Royal Navy because of it’s Naval Air Station and it’s deep-water anchorage, and because of this it’s a place where RN ships would visit when it was time to exercise the ship into becoming a sleek and effective fighting machine. Sailors used to dread coming here as it was where you came to play at being at war, and it was really hard work. As a sailor on a ship, when it would be announced that the ship was going to Portland, men’s pallor would turn grey, stomachs would churn and people would say “Can I get off now”…
The RN left the area in the late 90’s and I always wondered what had become of the place and I was surprised at how much things had changed, and actually how nice it had become. It’s a weird feeling because you see things that are completely new, and yet you also see things that still remain but they’ve changed. Its like almost like dejavu, but maybe with a sense of loss.
Riding up to the top of Portland, I stopped to take a few snaps and then headed down and back along the Chesil Beach causeway and then onto the A-roads to Southampton – where I was going to meet an old partner-in-crime I served with in the Royal Navy. I had become a photographer with Paul and we were on the same training course, and long after Paul had left and entered the world of Commercial Photography I marvel and envy at his new direction. But, like many industries, the photographic industry can eventually wear you down and Paul eventually quit photography. Paul and his wife Ness now run a boat charter and training business in Southampton called Mendez Marine and it was really good to catch up, as we’d not seen each other for about 20 years. It was good to see how happy and settled he was now that he’s left photography behind. I could have stayed for a whole day chatting and taking about the past, but there was miles to munch and places to be, so after a great catch-up it was back on the road.
Moving east I headed along the M27 and then the A27 to Brighton where I stopped for a picture and a look around. I was going to stop for an ice-cream on the sea-front but the clouds were starting to thicken and I seemed like rain so after a quick Google I found the nearby ASDA, filled-up with fuel and a snack, and then it was north to East Grinstead where I had booked a campsite at a small village called Moreton. I was visiting the area to see another dear friend who I had not seen or spoken to for far too long, and I was visiting that evening to see their new addition to the family as well as catch up on life.
It was lots more miles today but somehow my saddle-soreness wasn’t as bad as previous days. Maybe I’m getting used to the long hours in the saddle, or maybe the saddle isn’t as bad as I think it is. The camp-site is great. Small, well maintained, and with great showers – which enabled a very long and very hot shower before changing for the evening. There was only a few caravans and campers on the site, and just one other tent. After staying at several sites now I have noticed that there are always lots of caravans and camper vans, but very few tents. Is this a trend..? Having a campervan or caravan means you can take all your comforts with you, but camping..? Do people who would have camped in the past now prefer Air B&B instead..?
And besides looking over Portland to see all the changes, and to see where the old naval base used to be, I also wanted to see if an old watering hole was still standing – The Jolly Sailor. It was still standing, but alas, it was empty and derelict, and a mere memory of its former self. All I could do was smile and remember the good times, and maybe the hangovers…
