I persuaded Nancy and Liese to join me on a Sunday lunchtime jaunt to Portsmouth to see the return of the HMS Prince of Wales from the carrier strike group cruise to the far east. They had left in April and were coming back on the last day of November. Talking to some around us, they had originally been planning to return the following day, but the forecast was not so good, and things came forward a day. I was also suspicious that they were more interested in getting the coverage that a weekend return would provide.

Originally, I had figured we would try and find a spot on the shore on the Portsmouth side. This seemed like somewhere that would be rather busy and Liese suggested that, maybe Gosport would make more sense. Not only did this have parking options and the potential to not be as busy, but it also meant the light would be on our side and it would provide Portsmouth as a backdrop to any photos. A wise suggestion.

We got there early and went out on a fishing pier that provided a great spot. Originally, I had intended to go for a wander and return closer to the time but, in the end, we found ourselves chatting to people around us that had family members on the returning carrier. It was so much fun chatting with them, so we ended up just hanging around.

As I looked across to the Portsmouth side, the crowds were building up. The Round Tower is a popular spot, and it had filled up first. Camera crews were up there too. As the arrival got closer, there were people all along the shore, near our favourite pub and down on the shingle by the water. It was a chilly day where we were, and I imagine it was even colder down on the water’s edge. Everyone was waiting for one thing. The arrival of a big boat!