The home-owners are enjoying life afloat around Amsterdam, Bruges et al – good dining, decent wines, great views. I get fresh sea air and a sidekick. My walkies mate dictates the shoreline stroll route and distance. The rain every day is no problem, and the messages from Spain regarding the 24degs sun unfortunately cannot be answered as my cold fingers in the gloves I need to wear prevent me from typing !
Most days there is something nautical to watch, windsurfers, kite-surfers, yachts and the shipping passing between us and the Isle of Wight.
The Solent Swimming club take a dip even in zero degrees temperatures 
There’s a hovercraft route/slipway towards the end of our 2.5km stroll. Only during the bank holidays, it takes folk on short tours. The safety guys are very conscientious, minding no-one passes the barriers
As the giant fans turned they blew the safety fencing onto any spectators or pets near them – oh dear
Back in Fareham Shadow is happy patrolling the garden, guarding the front door or flaked-out watching me. He pops up and lets me know when to feed in his own way. 
This look means business, follow him to the drawer of treats, pigs ear bin or feeding bowl at his pleasure.
Being close by to the Partington’s means a few shared meal times and lots of armchair football. Their eldest, Joe, is Bristol Rovers right-back and enjoying a good run in the team in their Division one promotion chase. Keeping a watch on Bristol Rovers news, Terry and I watched Portsmouth snatch a victory v Wigan Athletic. Good afternoon of sport and Guinness 
Geriatric Gap Years 