Aspiration and reality

Walking back to Southampton Central station I was struck by the contrast between Kimber's Tower at the Civic Centre, built in 1933, and the empty car park of the abandoned ToysRUs store. It's not the grandest of entrances to a city, but redevelopment is supposed to be on the cards.

But Southampton does have many charms, including two excellent art galleries, which I visited today, along with a walk to the waterfront.

Extra 1 is a giant mural on the side of flats to the north side of Central Station.

Extra 2 Is one of the lions rampant at the city's Bargate.