I'm Back!

So I said my little break would last till mid June but who am I kidding? I've been so busy recently it hardly feels like a holiday. Exams have finished but I still have a job, a university reading list the size of a small library and (up till two days ago) two instruments to be practising. My place of abandonment and escape now lies at the docks of Portsmouth where one of my closest friends has recently been living. He lives in his own flat at eighteen! So I spend my days shopping in the Quays, sunbathing on Portsmouth's pebbley beaches and swimming.

Portsmouth may have a reputation for being tacky in parts, but in other areas it is quite charming. GunWharf Quays prides itself in being one of the nicer centers to shop in the south. It boasts labels such as Ralph Lauren, Crew, Fred Perry, Jack Wills, Superdry, Gap and French Connection; not to mention various surfing brands like Oneil, Gul, Animal and Ripcurl. There are various places to eat on the dock side from Subway's humble sandwiches to Tooties. At night the place is still live as there are casinos and bars, a bowling center and a cinema. You really cant go wrong in Gunwharf with a trip up the 170m high Spinnaker Tower which overlook the still famous historic harbour. You can find out more by visiting this site: http://www.gunwharf-quays.com

Other areas in Portsmouth to visit include the historic dockyards where the famous Tudor ship the "Mary Rose" rests. Or the pier itself. There is a cheery funfair with classic 2p machines (like the ones I've tried on Blackpool Pier) and a rickety old rollercoaster that I have never seen anyone try! Mini Golf, tennis and volley ball courts are avaliable for hire also. Or if you fancy nothing else be to relax there is the stony beach where you can purchase the classic english takeaway, Fish and Chips, and stare over at the Isle of White. The parts not bad too.

I used to think Portsmouth was a place to avoid at all costs, at the moment I feel like I am pretty much in love with the place!