We stayed a couple of days with Jenny and Matt. Lil used to teach with Jenny at Te Puke High School. Jenny is working at a nursery school while Matt is working as a watchmaker for the Omega company. Their children are now independent and so they too are taking the opportunity to travel and work.
In the early 70s both of us arrived with a Greek passenger ship from Auckland to Southampton. We have now gone full circle!
Southampton still has some of the original old city walls and gates.
We took the opportunity to replace old clothes and footwear and walk about the town. We visited the Maritime Museum which has a small display of memorabilia from the Titanic which was interesting.
One day we caught a ferry to the Isle of Wight. It rained a little between the sunny spells but was it was still a pleasant day. There was a huge regatta and we were able to see the yachts racing up and down the bay at Cowes.
We crossed from East Cowes to West Cowes by the floating chain bridge. The bridge is guided across the waterway along huge chains. Foot passengers are free while vehicles have to pay a small charge.
The island is best visited by car and there were lots of deals advertised for cars with 4 passengers.
