Carnival

We all arrived at Waterloo at about 11 am. It was enough time for me to pick up coffee for everybody and for PY to get a selection of sandwiches for lunch. The departure board showed platform 11, and we had plenty of time to walk slowly to the front carriage. I thought we ought to get to the front as the interchange at Portsmouth Harbour would be pretty tight. That proved fortuitous. The train was on time for 80 minutes of the 90-minute journey but left Fratton five minutes late. We lost another four minutes in the seven-minute timetable between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour, arriving at 1:11 p.m. There were a few sprightly people who dashed for the 1:15 pm ferry. I hoped, and it turned out to be a good hunch, that those people would hold up the boat long enough for us to get to the doors. We boarded just as they closed the doors.

A few minutes later, the First Mate announced a five-minute delay before we started crossing The Solent, and the doors were opened again to allow passengers who thought they had missed the sailing to board.

We arrived at Pier Head, and the taxi I booked awaited us to take us to The Ryde Castle Hotel. Mum and Dad checked in before going on a tour of the flat.

After coffee, PY, Dad, and I all went for a walk. We ended up at Appley Tower, where we found it open to visitors and took the steps to the top to look at the view. It was a bit windy on top, but the views were impressive. We'll be back.

Mum and Dad went back to their hotel for an hour while we watched more of the Paralympics before meeting them and walking to the Tapas. I'm glad we booked, as they were full for the evening. The food was, again, delicious. Of course, we ordered the Secreto Ibérico and Berenjenas Fritas, as they were our favourites from last time. We finished at 8:30 p.m. 

Officially, the illuminated carnival had started, and we were unsure what to do. We walked to join the crowds at the bottom of Dover Street and were just in time for the  first part of the procession. We found a little gap between some people so we could all see. It was a bigger parade than Shanklin's, although possibly not by much. The classic buses and motorbike riders were definite additions.

I love all the lights coming past. This photo sums up the energy of the event. We headed back to the hotel afterwards, hoping to get a view of the returning parade, but sadly, it stopped on the esplanade nearer the bus station