The Southsea factor has once again raised its lovely, sunny head.
Yesterday we drove down to the South Coast after a thrilling afternoon at White Hart Lane when we (Tottenham Hotspur) beat Chelsea 2-1. For those who don’t follow English football, Chelsea are another London team like us. But they are at the top of the Premier League and we are trying to get to a 4th position, a gateway to the Champions League in Europe. Yesterday’s win means we are now two points clear of Manchester City, the other team desperate to become 4th. Spurs are not often on a winning streak, and this win against the mighty Chelsea came three days after we beat our most bitter London rivals, Arsenal, again 2-1 on Wednesday night.
So hoarse from singing, ‘Spurs go marching on’, ‘ It’s so easy at the Lane’, ‘There’s only one Michael Dawson’, ‘C’mon you Spurs’, we drove down to Southsea to a friends’ party. As husband predicted on the drive down, the first drink didn’t touch the sides of the glass, and even though we were in that strange state of exhilarated exhaustion, we had a great time catching up with friends and making new ones.
This morning, when I heard the familiar sounds of seagulls, I was immediately awake, keen to wander down to the seafront to smell the salty air. And what a day for a stroll along the battlements of Old Portsmouth: clear skies, hazy sunshine, volcanic dust from Iceland not withstanding. This time, instead of having the familiar conversation about really, really wanting to move down to Portsmouth, we’d been wise to our own predictable ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely to…’ -mood and had booked some house viewings. More about that later…
Then it was time to be entertained by some more friends at lunch, and attend an auction of precious drawings produced by two gorgeous, very young artists. On the final drive along the seafront on our way home to Wiltshire, we concluded that instead of dreaming about a move down to the coast, this time it could really, truly become a reality.
I didn't know where Southsea was, so pleased you mentioned it was near Portsmouth! I am not talking football with you, Little Man is Chelsea and we are West Ham! Enough Said!
There is something so calming and reassuring about the sea – I could sit and stare at it for hours on end. Your trip looks like you had a lovely time. I need to go to the seaside, too. Soon!
how lovely- isn't the weather just eye openingly wonderful at the moment?
as an Arsenal fan I am pleased you beat Chelsea but still numb about recent events!
Consider yourself lucky Rose… I'm a Chester City fan. At least you still have a club. 🙁
I love the photos! So I'm definitely in favour of you moving there, Helena, if it means loads of gorgeous pictures 🙂 Just a word of warning though, have you thought about the winters there? Wouldn't it be very moist, foggy and occasionally a bit dismal? I don't want to be negative though..!
All the football comments…believe me as a Spurs supporter I know your pain.
We lived in Southsea once upon a time and have always dreamt of returning. I miss the sea so much.
Winters down there are milder than here, though not that different, Margit. xx
Helena I am quite jealous, I would love to move further south.. always at this time of year after such a long winter…I also love to live by the sea xx
It would be wonderful to live by the sea and if it were me, that is what I would choose if I could. Is this a current wish or did you finally go to live there?
In Finland, were you near the sea there?
Thank you for visitng my blog. I enjoy hearing from you. Are You a skier? I had a friend once from Finland in Kalamazoo, Michigan and she could ski like the wind and never tire! Cross country.