I live in Southampton – it’s more of an industrial port than a seaside town these days, but definately ‘coastal’. Whilst public access to the waterfront is being whittled away by property developers erecting swanky apartment blocks, we are still left with two ways into the water.
1. Mayflower Park. Situated between the destroyed pier and Isle of Wight ferry terminal to the left and the dry docks and banana boats to the right. It overlooks a few American war ships and the new multi-million pound refuse incinerator (looking like something from outer-space). The park itself has benches, a skate-park, some grass, six litter bins and – if you’re really lucky, an ice-cream van. I happened to be there once when a dead body was washed up – no ne seemed to bothered.
2. Western Shore. To the east of the city (obviously), you have a series of high-rise tower blocks behind and Fawley Oil Refinery straight ahead. My friend Penny and me bunked off school once and spent the day there. Unfortunately we made the rookie mistake of going into the water – it was difficult explaining away the resulting rash and scabs that formed on our skin! My brother caught some fish there once – they were glad to escape.
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