I’m currently on a sit in Southbourne, West Sussex UK and had the joy on Sunday of being part of the huge crowd who welcomed home the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to Portsmouth. Her crew of 4000+ sailors have been away for 8 months and were all out on deck. Tens of thousands of people lined both shores of the Solent, cheering and waving with flags and banners. There was a multi vessel fleet plus helicopters, bands and a 17 gun salute. The 80 year old gentleman I was sitting next to in the crowd was an retired navy engineer and so interesting to talk to.
It’s the kind of “live like a local” immersive slow travel experience you get being a sitter, that I’d be unlikely to get being on a normal holiday in a foreign country.
