We are now in the south east on a whistle stop tour of Sussex and Kent, I am girding my loins!!
This is what we have been doing!
Monday 28th January – day 93
Moving day today, the west country is definitely behind us now. The journey takes us into the soft downs of West Sussex, through some very unpromising industrial coastal towns ending in Clapham, just above Worthing, arriving at about 4.00pm. A very sloping site so caravan looks very “up” at the front at present, which makes it easier though to look out at some lovely rolling
scenery! Decided not to go out tonight to view any local area so a night of admin and uploading finishing about 12.30 and so to bed.
Tuesday 29th January - day 94
Alarm call this morning to help us get out and about early, we were mostly successful, so off to Arundel to get a view of the castle, which is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk. No entry to the castleas it was closed (probably until Easter) so up to the Catholic Cathedral. It was good to see that this British cathedral is quite simple and not as ornate
and overdone as those on the continent. After leaving the cathedral we crossed the road to the Anglican parish church which is as old as the castle. However there is an oddity here in that there is a catholic chapel attached to the back of the alter which houses the tombs of previous Dukes and Duchesses of Norfolk; which are visible now because there is a glass screen between 
the two, where previously there was solid wall. A note beside the screen informs that during the civil war Cromwell used this part of the church as a stable ……. it looks in better condition now!
After leaving the church we took a stroll down into Arundel Town and looked around the numerous antique shops, all were worth a look in, but no purchases made.
Back to the car and off to Chichester. We had expected this to be the highlight of the day, but as we wondered through the high street, it felt like most other modern towns, that was until we saw the Cathedral. It was an elegant tall spired building. We stopped in the refectory for a sandwich before spending some time inside its peaceful interior.
After a walk on the city walls we went on to Worthing via the Bognor!
It was dark by there time we got there, but there was still a lot of evidence of the timber that
was littering the whole Worthing coastline (and beyond) following the sinking, 40 miles off Dorset, of the Ice Prince during a storm (picture taken from the web!)
Wednesday 30th January – day 95
We are basking in sunshine again today, a good day to see Brighton at it’s best! The picnic was packed and off we went for the first stop - Lewes, West Sussex’s principle town. Had wondered whether it was worth going to see, but I am so glad that we did, it was really charming, with
wooden fronted houses tumbling down steep narrow cobbled streets which looked out over the rolling Sussex downs, I suspect that this is the most we will see of essential Sussex as the rest of our short time is being spent along the coastline.
On then to Brighton, via a wonderful little road that took us over the downs. It was a bit like going up and over Hackpen hill in Wilts, as just before you reach the summit there are panoramic views over the flat lands of Sussex, and as you drove over the top you are greeted with panoramic views of the coastline, and with the sun shining it all looked very pastoral.
Brighton was everything I expected it to be, bright brash and busy. Parked up beyond the Pavilion and spent sometime walking round this strangely eastern palace. Whatever glory it may have had, it was now looking a little faded, but the early evening sun on the many small minarets made an attractive skyline.
The Lanes also failed to sparkle, maybe I was expecting more chic antique shops (or maybe they were there and we missed them!!) but there was little that kindled the imagination other than the Venetian like narrow tall sided wiggly streets that made up the Lanes.
It was dark by the time we made it to the pier, but in the evening light it sparkled and twinkled, and probably looked more attractive than it did in the light!
Moving day today, the west country is definitely behind us now. The journey takes us into the soft downs of West Sussex, through some very unpromising industrial coastal towns ending in Clapham, just above Worthing, arriving at about 4.00pm. A very sloping site so caravan looks very “up” at the front at present, which makes it easier though to look out at some lovely rolling
scenery! Decided not to go out tonight to view any local area so a night of admin and uploading finishing about 12.30 and so to bed.Tuesday 29th January - day 94
Alarm call this morning to help us get out and about early, we were mostly successful, so off to Arundel to get a view of the castle, which is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk. No entry to the castleas it was closed (probably until Easter) so up to the Catholic Cathedral. It was good to see that this British cathedral is quite simple and not as ornate
and overdone as those on the continent. After leaving the cathedral we crossed the road to the Anglican parish church which is as old as the castle. However there is an oddity here in that there is a catholic chapel attached to the back of the alter which houses the tombs of previous Dukes and Duchesses of Norfolk; which are visible now because there is a glass screen between the two, where previously there was solid wall. A note beside the screen informs that during the civil war Cromwell used this part of the church as a stable ……. it looks in better condition now!After leaving the church we took a stroll down into Arundel Town and looked around the numerous antique shops, all were worth a look in, but no purchases made.
Back to the car and off to Chichester. We had expected this to be the highlight of the day, but as we wondered through the high street, it felt like most other modern towns, that was until we saw the Cathedral. It was an elegant tall spired building. We stopped in the refectory for a sandwich before spending some time inside its peaceful interior.
After a walk on the city walls we went on to Worthing via the Bognor!
It was dark by there time we got there, but there was still a lot of evidence of the timber that
was littering the whole Worthing coastline (and beyond) following the sinking, 40 miles off Dorset, of the Ice Prince during a storm (picture taken from the web!)Wednesday 30th January – day 95
We are basking in sunshine again today, a good day to see Brighton at it’s best! The picnic was packed and off we went for the first stop - Lewes, West Sussex’s principle town. Had wondered whether it was worth going to see, but I am so glad that we did, it was really charming, with
wooden fronted houses tumbling down steep narrow cobbled streets which looked out over the rolling Sussex downs, I suspect that this is the most we will see of essential Sussex as the rest of our short time is being spent along the coastline.On then to Brighton, via a wonderful little road that took us over the downs. It was a bit like going up and over Hackpen hill in Wilts, as just before you reach the summit there are panoramic views over the flat lands of Sussex, and as you drove over the top you are greeted with panoramic views of the coastline, and with the sun shining it all looked very pastoral.Brighton was everything I expected it to be, bright brash and busy. Parked up beyond the Pavilion and spent sometime walking round this strangely eastern palace. Whatever glory it may have had, it was now looking a little faded, but the early evening sun on the many small minarets made an attractive skyline.The Lanes also failed to sparkle, maybe I was expecting more chic antique shops (or maybe they were there and we missed them!!) but there was little that kindled the imagination other than the Venetian like narrow tall sided wiggly streets that made up the Lanes.It was dark by the time we made it to the pier, but in the evening light it sparkled and twinkled, and probably looked more attractive than it did in the light!
Thursday 31st January – day 96
After a glorious day yesterday, the high winds and rain finally arrived in the south. I think we have been really lucky as the rest of the country (particularly the north and east) have been having a bad time with wind, snow and freezing conditions. In fact it has been a bit of a miserable winter all round with threats of flooding and bad extreme weather conditions. There have been of the few crisp clear winter days that we were looking forward to, but we are still in the midst of it, so may be we will get some of those days, you know the ones, where the cold makes your nose glow, your skin tingle and your breath visible, and the sunshine makes the bare trees glow golden and red!
Well, back to the reality of the day, we had planned to walk round Beachy Head, but the wind was howling and the rain was lashing so all we did until 3pm was sit and look out at it!!
However it did all calm down so we took the coastal road to check out Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, and maybe walk to Beachy Head, but the journey was so slow we only got to the cliffs as dusk was falling. The wind was also up again which made it very wild and atmospheric. There were only a few people there and they were all in the pub at the top of Birling Gap, we were the only ones brave/foolish enough to venture down the steps to the waters edge, but I am glad we did, all was grey and turbulent, Chris looked magnificent as he steadied the tripod and checked out the light (gloom) conditions for the camera, with one hand, whilst holding on to his jacket with the other!!
It was of course dark again, by the time we reached Eastbourne (I think that this is going to be a
significant memory of the first half of our tour – that we arrived in the dark!!) but we still managed a bracing walk down the pier and along the sea front, before going in search of some fish and chips (it would be too late to cook when we got back)
Before we ate – what must be considered the BEST fish and chips I have enjoyed on this trip, I had meltingly fresh cod and Chris had Huss – a first for him – we needed to find a loo. The next 15 minutes were very scary, as we found a hotel that was so buzzing that we didn’t think anyone would notice us use their facilities, so we made a casual entrance, to a hotel FULL of grey heads, not a one under 75yrs, all busy, eating, or getting ready for the hotel quiz, or limbering up for the dance floor. I was afraid that I would loose his nibs amidst all that camouflage, but fortunately his relieved expression made him easy to spot!!
Friday 1st February – day 97
After a very brief stay in Sussex we move on to Kent. I am not sure that we have really seen
anything of the real county in the 3 days we were here, as the shoreline demanded all the attention, and whilst I’m glad that we saw all that, I think we may have missed the best, but 
time is short and we must move on. Fortunately although we have been forecast howling winds, we are greeted with a calm sunny day, which will make travelling much easier. We are taking the coast road so hopefully there will be plenty to see on this our longest journey yet!
Saturday 2nd February – day 98
Good start today for trip back to Rye, but first stop Camber Sands, had to cross some of the flattest scenery we had yet seen. The marshes of Romney and Walland are utterly uninspiring, considering the South West coast we had so recently visited. The coast line from Dungeness round to Camber has high coastal sea defences made of shingle and pebble, which shield acres of land behind that is mainly used for sheep farming. However, while driving down the coastal road to Camber we could see kites flying. When we stopped and mounted the sea wall we had glorious
views of a long sandy beach area exposed by the low tide. There were young men and women kite boarding on the sea and along the beach on wheeled boards. As we walked along the shore line we found sand pools still with live shellfish, and Helen could not resist foraging for the shells lying around. At Camber there was a row of impressive houses on top of the sea wall looking out to sea - what a view they will have when the sea is in a fury.
After returning along the beach we headed on towards Rye, the approach road took us by a fresh.JPG)
fish shop with trawlers moored along outside. We could not resist, so stopped and went in to buy some skate that had been caught overnight, and the trawler man had just skinned the wings ready for sale. We left with the fish and a pot of whelks (which were covered in black pepper and vinegar!) and £9 lighter, the prices were twice what they were in Cornwall, we are definitely in the south east!!
We drove round the far side of Rye and parked up near a row of several antique shops, which we
just had to visit to view what was for sale. Next stop was a local pottery shop selling Chaucer figures from the Canterbury Tales, they were completely delightful and it was hard to walk away without making a purchase. But we had to get on to see the town and what a pleasant surprise greeted us, stone pebble streets and houses at least 200 years old flanking the roads up to the old church and castle. These streets were certainly not made for cars, but the stones were very 
hard on the feet, thank heaven for strong boots. Our walk took us up to the top and to the town church, but a short hop to the side street took us directly to a tea shop and a much needed Earl Grey refresher, and of course a little something to soak it up.
After a glorious day yesterday, the high winds and rain finally arrived in the south. I think we have been really lucky as the rest of the country (particularly the north and east) have been having a bad time with wind, snow and freezing conditions. In fact it has been a bit of a miserable winter all round with threats of flooding and bad extreme weather conditions. There have been of the few crisp clear winter days that we were looking forward to, but we are still in the midst of it, so may be we will get some of those days, you know the ones, where the cold makes your nose glow, your skin tingle and your breath visible, and the sunshine makes the bare trees glow golden and red!
Well, back to the reality of the day, we had planned to walk round Beachy Head, but the wind was howling and the rain was lashing so all we did until 3pm was sit and look out at it!!However it did all calm down so we took the coastal road to check out Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, and maybe walk to Beachy Head, but the journey was so slow we only got to the cliffs as dusk was falling. The wind was also up again which made it very wild and atmospheric. There were only a few people there and they were all in the pub at the top of Birling Gap, we were the only ones brave/foolish enough to venture down the steps to the waters edge, but I am glad we did, all was grey and turbulent, Chris looked magnificent as he steadied the tripod and checked out the light (gloom) conditions for the camera, with one hand, whilst holding on to his jacket with the other!!
It was of course dark again, by the time we reached Eastbourne (I think that this is going to be a
significant memory of the first half of our tour – that we arrived in the dark!!) but we still managed a bracing walk down the pier and along the sea front, before going in search of some fish and chips (it would be too late to cook when we got back)Before we ate – what must be considered the BEST fish and chips I have enjoyed on this trip, I had meltingly fresh cod and Chris had Huss – a first for him – we needed to find a loo. The next 15 minutes were very scary, as we found a hotel that was so buzzing that we didn’t think anyone would notice us use their facilities, so we made a casual entrance, to a hotel FULL of grey heads, not a one under 75yrs, all busy, eating, or getting ready for the hotel quiz, or limbering up for the dance floor. I was afraid that I would loose his nibs amidst all that camouflage, but fortunately his relieved expression made him easy to spot!!
Friday 1st February – day 97
After a very brief stay in Sussex we move on to Kent. I am not sure that we have really seen
anything of the real county in the 3 days we were here, as the shoreline demanded all the attention, and whilst I’m glad that we saw all that, I think we may have missed the best, but time is short and we must move on. Fortunately although we have been forecast howling winds, we are greeted with a calm sunny day, which will make travelling much easier. We are taking the coast road so hopefully there will be plenty to see on this our longest journey yet!Saturday 2nd February – day 98
Good start today for trip back to Rye, but first stop Camber Sands, had to cross some of the flattest scenery we had yet seen. The marshes of Romney and Walland are utterly uninspiring, considering the South West coast we had so recently visited. The coast line from Dungeness round to Camber has high coastal sea defences made of shingle and pebble, which shield acres of land behind that is mainly used for sheep farming. However, while driving down the coastal road to Camber we could see kites flying. When we stopped and mounted the sea wall we had glorious
views of a long sandy beach area exposed by the low tide. There were young men and women kite boarding on the sea and along the beach on wheeled boards. As we walked along the shore line we found sand pools still with live shellfish, and Helen could not resist foraging for the shells lying around. At Camber there was a row of impressive houses on top of the sea wall looking out to sea - what a view they will have when the sea is in a fury.After returning along the beach we headed on towards Rye, the approach road took us by a fresh
fish shop with trawlers moored along outside. We could not resist, so stopped and went in to buy some skate that had been caught overnight, and the trawler man had just skinned the wings ready for sale. We left with the fish and a pot of whelks (which were covered in black pepper and vinegar!) and £9 lighter, the prices were twice what they were in Cornwall, we are definitely in the south east!!We drove round the far side of Rye and parked up near a row of several antique shops, which we
just had to visit to view what was for sale. Next stop was a local pottery shop selling Chaucer figures from the Canterbury Tales, they were completely delightful and it was hard to walk away without making a purchase. But we had to get on to see the town and what a pleasant surprise greeted us, stone pebble streets and houses at least 200 years old flanking the roads up to the old church and castle. These streets were certainly not made for cars, but the stones were very hard on the feet, thank heaven for strong boots. Our walk took us up to the top and to the town church, but a short hop to the side street took us directly to a tea shop and a much needed Earl Grey refresher, and of course a little something to soak it up. Sunday 3rd February – day 99
Another whistle stop tour planned, I think that we are getting ready to settle somewhere for longer and really sink our teeth into the place rather this frantic American style dash!!
The highlight of the day was to be Canterbury Cathedral, but we are going via Leeds Castle. We naively thought that we would be stopping by the side of the road to walk up to path to walk round the outside!!! We did not realise that it was Kent’s version of Longleat, and £28 later I carried a swooning Chris over the threshold!!!
Having paid so much we had to get our moneys worth, so we walked round the grounds, and round the castle, which did receive such visitors as King Henry VIII, and last owned by a very wealthy and opulent socialite called Lady Baillie, which did not fail to release the proletariat in me I can tell you!!!
It is also open to public rental and we heard that some lovely husband had surprised his wife for her 40th birthday by helicoptering her in to attend a secretly arranged banquet which was held in the old banqueting hall, followed by a nights stay in the castle, I made Chris stand to listen to all the story, but he refused to be drawn!
We left Leeds castle to make a quick foray into Rochester, and we were very glad we did. It was a little jewel amidst all the industrial wasteland that is the Medway. We made the usual trip up through the castle grounds, into the cathedral and on round the streets back to the car, and although it made us late for heading on to Canterbury we were jolly glad to have stopped by!
Canterbury was beautiful, probably worth a whole day of mooching round shops, staying a while at coffee tables and sitting quietly in the cathedral, but as it was now 5pm, we dashed for the
cathedral before it closed, strode quickly round the streets (it has been a cold day) and warmed up in Café Nero. We did only get a glimpse of Canterbury’s glory but we were still jolly pleased we had made it!
Another whistle stop tour planned, I think that we are getting ready to settle somewhere for longer and really sink our teeth into the place rather this frantic American style dash!!
The highlight of the day was to be Canterbury Cathedral, but we are going via Leeds Castle. We naively thought that we would be stopping by the side of the road to walk up to path to walk round the outside!!! We did not realise that it was Kent’s version of Longleat, and £28 later I carried a swooning Chris over the threshold!!!Having paid so much we had to get our moneys worth, so we walked round the grounds, and round the castle, which did receive such visitors as King Henry VIII, and last owned by a very wealthy and opulent socialite called Lady Baillie, which did not fail to release the proletariat in me I can tell you!!!It is also open to public rental and we heard that some lovely husband had surprised his wife for her 40th birthday by helicoptering her in to attend a secretly arranged banquet which was held in the old banqueting hall, followed by a nights stay in the castle, I made Chris stand to listen to all the story, but he refused to be drawn!
We left Leeds castle to make a quick foray into Rochester, and we were very glad we did. It was a little jewel amidst all the industrial wasteland that is the Medway. We made the usual trip up through the castle grounds, into the cathedral and on round the streets back to the car, and although it made us late for heading on to Canterbury we were jolly glad to have stopped by!Canterbury was beautiful, probably worth a whole day of mooching round shops, staying a while at coffee tables and sitting quietly in the cathedral, but as it was now 5pm, we dashed for the
cathedral before it closed, strode quickly round the streets (it has been a cold day) and warmed up in Café Nero. We did only get a glimpse of Canterbury’s glory but we were still jolly pleased we had made it!
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