A full day - 19 July

Not a lot of sleep as we are still time zone adjusting. Portcullis House is on a busy road.  We are across the road from, and face, Queen's Park and our entrance walkway faces the docks with thousands of new cars awaiting transport around England. For me the traffic noise was a sleep preventer. If we closed our double glazed windows, that would help - but it would preclude fresh air.  So ear plugs from Boots it will be!!
Net result,  Pat out of bed by 6am.

Early wander up to Town Quay and the fast ferry across the Solent to Cowes West on the Isle of Wight. Then the bus to Newport and a town centre wander, incuding a coffee and Cathedral drop in (origins dating to 1180 and Henry VII). Princess Elizabeth,  the second daughter of Charles I is at rest here after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the area and found her original burial site "not a fit resting place for a Royal Princess".

On then to Sandown, a stereotype English seaside town with bathing boxes,  deck chairs and lots of blow up toys. Plenty on the beach with temperature around 25C. Then on to the Downes Breezer bus around the coast and over the dales to Ryde on the north of the island.  Another seaside and marine town.  A pint of lager and around the town centre, then the train out and back to the end of the very long pier followed by a paddle for Pat (water warm she said).

Ryde was positively abuzz for Saturday"s Pride Parade with preparations for pre-parties, post Parties and after Parties. On then to Cowes East and across the river by chain ferry for a walk through Cowes West for the return ferry.  Cowes was also in preparation for it's big week - of yacht racing.

Ferry back to Southampton and quick walk to Portcullis House - so for the day,  2 x ferries,  1 x chain ferry,  1 x train,  4 x bus rides (all very new and clean, three of them double decker (one open top) and lots of walking.

A quick clean up and out to dinner at Simon's at Oxford St. Excellent food and attentive staff.