"I have only one eye, I have a right to be blind sometimes... I really do not see the signal!" Horatio Nelson

Wednesday came and went like a blink of an eye.
Seriously...
where did the hours go?
Since I totally missed yesterdays post...
 these guys in the Portsmouth Harbour provided the photo for this weeks challenge...

because of their familiarity with pattern.

Tide pattern to be exact,
 and they seem to be taking advantage of that window of time when you can walk to your boat 
in the dockyard.

 Portsmouth, 
known as the United Kingdom's only island city...

is an easy train ride southeast of Southampton, 

and is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use. 

Also, home of the HMS Warrior 1860 (above) 
and the HMS Victory (currently undergoing restoration),

the famous warship of Britain's greatest naval war hero...

"England expects that every man will do his duty."

 Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.

"...I commit my life to Him that made me..."

"As a commander he was known for bold action, and the occasional disregard of orders from his seniors. This defiance brought him victories against the Spanish off Cape Vincent in 1797, and at the Battle of Copenhagen four years later, where he ignored orders to cease action by putting his telescope to his blind eye and claiming he couldn't see the signal to withdraw." BBC

One to 'think outside the box' in strategy, 
he is credited with a few quotes that give a further snapshot of his wit and leadership.

“Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we 

must not interrupt him too soon.” 

After being killed on October 21, 1805 by the French, his body was preserved in brandy and transported back to England for a state funeral.
More research is necessary on this hero.

From the train station, we fell into a crowd of people and...
like lemmings...
followed them.
 All the way to the outlet mall.
Yes, most of the passengers on that train had one destination in mind.

Now, don't get me wrong.
It is a very nice mall...
incorporated into the HMS Vernon whose past life was a floating jetty overlooking the Solent...

where activities for all ages...

await.

As we strolled towards Old Portsmouth...

with the Spinnaker Tower behind...
a distinct character, incomplete at that point, began to take shape...

and we barely scratched the surface.
Charles Dickens was born here and every Christmas you can take part in the guided walk.

Fortunately, we took our taxi drivers advice and checked out this historical city.
Another one to add to the list of repeat visits.

Happy Thursday.