Some days, the ordinary drive home hides unexpected surprises. Today, it was a small red boat.

It was anchored just off the shoreline near Portchester Castle, a splash of colour against the muted blues and greys of the afternoon tide. The ancient stone walls rose behind it, weathered by centuries of wind and sea spray. For a moment, I wondered how many other pairs of eyes, over hundreds of years, had looked out over this same stretch of water and seen vessels passing by.

I couldn’t let it go. Back home, I wheeled out the e-bike, slung my camera over my shoulder, and set off to see if I could capture the scene before the light changed. There’s something exhilarating about the uncertainty—was the boat still there? Would the tide be too high, the clouds too heavy? It felt like a mini treasure hunt, except the treasure was a photograph I hadn’t yet taken.

The ride itself is one of the joys of living here. From the quiet streets to the open water, you pass through layers of history. Portchester Castle (above) itself dates back to Roman times, originally built as a fort in the late 3rd century to protect the coastline from Saxon pirates. Later, it became a Norman castle, then a royal stronghold, and eventually even a prison for captured soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it stands calm and patient, watching the harbour’s ebb and flow as it has for over 1,700 years.

Arriving at the waterfront, I saw it—still there, still red. The boat rocked gently on the tide, its reflection rippling in the late afternoon sun. Beyond it, the castle’s keep and curtain walls stood tall, as though guarding the scene. I crouched low for the angle I’d imagined from the car, adjusted my lens, and let the shutter click. A few times.

In the end, I don’t know if the photograph will be as perfect as it looked in my mind when I first spotted it. But that’s the magic of moments like this—you never quite capture them entirely. Some part of them lives only in memory, tied to the rush of pedaling towards a fleeting scene, the smell of salt in the air, and the satisfying hum of an e-bike rolling home at golden hour.

Once I have edited the images taken I will share them here on this post, if they do turn out I I envisaged them, I guess only time will tell!! – They are in tomorrow Vlog.

Portchester Castle – Quick Facts & Local Lore

• Roman Roots: The site began as a Roman fort around AD 285, part of the Saxon Shore defences. It’s one of the best-preserved examples in northern Europe.
• Norman Upgrade: After the Norman Conquest, William Pont de l’Arche transformed the fort into a castle, complete with a keep and inner bailey.
• Royal Guests: Medieval monarchs, including Richard II and Henry V, stayed here before embarking on campaigns to France.
• Prison by the Sea: During the Napoleonic Wars (1793–1815), Portchester Castle held thousands of prisoners of war—many from France, Spain, and the Caribbean.
• Harbour Haven: Situated at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, the surrounding waters have seen centuries of trade, fishing, and naval activity.
• Modern Tranquility: Today it’s an English Heritage site, popular for dog walkers, photographers, and anyone chasing that perfect combination of history and sea air

The Vlog will be out on the 09 August 2025 at 08:00 (BST) click below: