Day #3
We had a bit of a restless sleep as our body clocks slowly become accustomed to the time change... i.e. wide awake at 3 am :-(
Once we checked out it was off to the Central bus station which is a short bus ride from the Renaissance Hotel. Our National Express bus was right on time!
 |
| A bus similar to ours :-) |
We loaded up our bags and enjoyed the scenic bus ride around Heathrow and the mammoth British Airways hangers, cargo facility and Terminal 5. (BA aircraft as far as you could see :-) then via the M25 and M3 motorways past the famous Farnborough Airport. We had a few stops along the way in Basingstoke and Winchester before arriving downtown in Southampton. We took a cab up to the Blue Keys Inn that will be our home for the next few days before we start our cruise.
 |
| The Blue Keys Hotel |
 |
| Kelly set for our trip downtown. |
 |
| Bargate |
We grabbed a cab and headed downtown towards High Street and the West Quay Mall. We wandered about and quickly discovered the old ruins of the city that once had a wall surrounding it. The wall is only partially preserved but very interesting. The centerpiece is Bargate, which use to be the only entrance & exit to the old grounds in 1540. The tax man would apply tariffs to goods both leaving and entering the city. We managed to sneak by!! :-) The lions were added later... in the 1600's.
 |
| Church of Hollyrood originally erected in 1320. |
|
|
Along the Titanic Walk was the Church of Hollyrood which had been damaged over the many years by both fire and war. It also contained a fountain that was commissioned to remember those on the Titanic.
 |
| St Michael's Church |
We wandered around and enjoyed the views from the Quay. Cruise ships, Container ships, Ferries and various other work vessels dotted the shoreline. Very much a working port.
Grabbed some wine and other items for our cruise and headed back to the Blue Keys Hotel for some Facetime with family. It is my mom's birthday so it was great to be able to send a personal birthday wish :-) Ah technology!
Dinner & drinks at the hotel then it was time to retire in anticipation of our next days adventures.
