Route Round Portsmouth 4-5 pm
Diary of the journey from my point of view
Leaving the Portland building, a place I am familiar with, to go on a walk round a city I barely knew caused me to be slightly apprehensive, especially once we got into the first narrow road with high walls covered in graffiti. The pedestrian crossing on the busy road by the church angered me as it took so long for the lights too change, but my mood soon changed as I stepped into the park as the traffic noise appeared to stop immediately and the air seemed to freshen. The railway bridge out of the park made me feel a little claustrophobic with its big iron gates and the booming noise as a train went over. The war memorial caused me to come over all patriotic, and made me feel rather somber. Stepping out into the large square in front of the guildhall made me feel rather small, but also a bit intimidated as there were people speeding about on their skateboards. The high street was another familiar place, although as you moved further on the shops began to appear more tacky and the people began to change, once out of the high street we walked down the very narrow alleyway, with washing lines hanging over, and I wondered what kind of place I was about to step into as there were large cameras up on poles, I felt very unwelcome from then on till we reached the bridge. The bridge was very confined and harsh feeling, you couldn’t see what was waiting round the corners at the other end which made me feel quite anxious, once off of the bridge the roads started getting busier and I began to feel far happier.
Philip Pryke
HAMPTON Route round Portsmouth: 7-8am
Walking towards the park, traffic is minimal with very few people around. When reaching the park at approximately 7 in the morning, the park gates are still locked. The park itself is dark and not alive with movement. As the park is locked you are unable to reach the tunnel at the far side of the park.
Upon reaching the Guildhall it is deserted. There are very few people, the only people around are the few holding coffee making their way to work. Unlike later in the day, there are vast amounts of gulls in the Guildhall Square, their noise distinct. Cleaners can be found at various points of the area around the Guildhall and the closer you move towards them, the more you can smell disinfectant.
While walking towards Commercial Road, sitting under the train bridge is a single homeless man eating a bread roll and drinking a hot drink. The man is more obvious at this point of the day than later in the afternoon when there is a continuous stream of people, walking under the train bridge.
As you begin to reach the shopping area of Commercial Road, the traffic is beginning to build up with more people making their way to work. Unlike during the day, the smell of food is not prominent. The shops are only just beginning to open at this time in the morning, with lights only just being switched on. Market stalls are beginning to be set up with only the metal frames visible – no food, clothing or sale items. Background noise consists of radios from the market stall owners. Tears in my eyes by Ultravox can be heard and the local radio station, Wave 105.
Reaching the residential area, the area is quiet with few cars and very few people around. One person can be spotted walking their dog. From pylons and hanging of the back or people’s houses, washing lines can be seen with the vibrant colours of clothes catching the eyes of passers by. As you walk through the deserted streets, abandoned trolleys stand out, from the surrounding environment.
The area of the route alongside the Railway line is peaceful. Not a single train passed by why walking this area of the route between the hours of 7 and 8 in the morning. Again, there are more trolleys, which litter the empty streets. It is now you can see how you are moving closer to the shop where the trolleys come from, a Tesco store.
Moving further towards the Eldon building you can see empty streets of cars, with few people. Also car parks, which usually during the day are full contain only the odd one or two cars.
The route between the hours of 7 and 8 in the morning is very quiet, with few people and little movement. There is a sense of tranquillity within the route. A question that can be asked: Is the journey dead or is it just coming alive?
Louise Bloomfield
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