MOT trip through
Salisbury, Bath & Bristol
While this is something that mattered very little a few minutes after the problem was solved, it is one that kept us anxiously for months, uncertain how to address the issue: our campervan got immobilized in Spain during the pandemic for having missed the technical inspection (MOT in English), which was not possible to do in Spain, because in Spain campers are inspected as campers, not cars (in UK they are inspected as cars). We thus had to make a trip dedicated to fixing the MOT, at the closest possible point of access, which was Portsmouth, and proceeded from here to Wolverhampton. This brought us, on the way, to Salisbury, Bath and Bristol.
This page is still in progress.
Ferry trip (10-11 April)
A one night, two-days trip, which was fairly relaxed since by then we knew the most difficult was done: we were technically in British soil already, at least with a British timezone.
The peace of solitude when in the middle of nowhere.
Everything's a seat when you're a baby.
From one deck to the next.
A playground on the top of a boat.
Looking at what exactly? Could be a dolphin, could be a wavelet...
Luz with Rubén Sánchez's artwork.
It's prettier outside but cozier inside.
Isle of Wight from the Ferry
A highlight was sailing past the Isle of Wight and toying with all our memories there, when it was our neighbor, for several years, to which we paid only a couple of visits. It was very familiar nevertheless and a cherished acquaintance.
The Yarborough Monument sitting on the Culver cliff.
Portsmouth in Sight
Hilsea lines
A "wildlife haven on Portsea Island".
A nice walk as the mechanics and government fix your car.
We met this gentleman who detailed most of his exhibit.
The fair
By far the most appreciated part of our stay in Portsmouth was the fair, for which we acquired a special "bracelet" option that allowed us to enjoy 10 attractions for a reasonable price, also playing the trick of using one bracelet's two tickets to admit two people, which, it was our understanding, was not allowed as bracelets are individual and their tickets should be taken off at the entry, but people were merely collecting them so in this way, Elena could squeeze her way in in those attractions that required an adult accompanier without paying the nifty sum. The favorite one could also, in this way, be repeated. Because attractions are so expensive, even with the discount, there are few people on most of them. For one of the few attractions that Luz could enjoy, we had ran out of tickets but Luz liked it so much, making such a plea to do it again, in Spanish, that the Spanish national in charge of it told us we could stay for the next run, but that we'd have to wait for more people to come in. When it became clear that no more people were coming in, we had a ride all by ourselves.
Julia's best part of the trip was at its ery beginning: this one.
The first attraction turned out to be the most exciting of all.
And was duly repeated thanks to the bracelet!
Although others were cool too.
The same classic, elsewhere.
At some point, Luz woke up and we had to scale down to things she could climb on.
Julia experiencing the supervision side of an attraction.
This one of flying blue elephants was appreciated beyond measure.
We had a free and VIP ride.
Aquarium
This was Luz's first visit to an aquarium.
First-time visit to an aquarium.
And not too sure what to make of it.
Encounter of the Third Kind.
They would actually get out of the water from above.
Maybe they got the chain food backward.
So many fishes even in a mere aquarium.
Other types in another tank.
A favorite that is now found in all aquariums: the water tunnel.
A lot of action going on although it's only going round.
Luz's interest remained maximum throughout, even when there was only water bulging out.
We told her this one looked like mémé.
Portsmouth's coastline
By the Solent, with one of its fortresses.
En route towards the city center.
The Spinnaker, this time from the shore.
"Guess where I'm calling from!"
Looking where to go next.
The spot we found for the night.
Salisbury