Portsmouth

After we left beautiful Downton Abbey, we headed down south stopping for lunch at a really lovely little country pub. It was cosy and full of over 60's as they offered a special price lunch Mon-Thurs. Steve didn't take advantage of the discount but Pip and I said not to be so proud and from now on he is to own up to being over 60!

Then the miserable rain started as we headed towards the beach. The traffic was awful and we were a little put  off and decided we just wanted to arrive at Portsmouth. Finally step foot into our sea front hotel which was not altogether inexpensive and it was like a dated 70's style small rooms slightly faded hotel. But it was opposite the water. We  headed off for a walk  which Pip and I continued when Steve decided his knee had had enough. We checked out the old amusement attraction on the paint cracked pier and the fish and chips shops dotted along the sea front. Showered and changed we headed off to find the area of the port Steve had been talking about. Instead we found a great little restaurant at the fish markets area with great views of the tower. Watching it light up and change colour was terrific .

We went on a little tour of Portsmouth by night, then off to bed. 

The next day after our breakfast of eggs we headed off down the coast. We called into Bognor Regis which I have always remembered

From tv shows. It was such a little "England goes to the beach" type of place. By now it was warm and sunny and people were sunning themselves and eating soft serve ice cream. There was a little blue train running along the particularly ordinary promenade and little shops selling plastic sandals so you could safely walk over the rocks on the beach to get to the water. All I could think was - no wonder people love our beaches with the white sand, trees and grass nearby and lovely paved area for walking. 

 We continued on and reached Arundel by about 3.30 and decided to visit the castle  gardens while the weather was still fine. The castle is the home of the present Duke of Norfolk -in fact the 17 th . The castle dominates the rather charming English town. The gardens were beautiful -some very lovely formal gardens, kitchen gardens playful gardens and a lovely chapel were several of the dead Dukes now reside. The present Duke Edward and wife Georgina live in private apartments with their 5 children. 

We wandered back to the main street before locating Byass house our B&B for 2 nights . Our hostess Sally looked puzzled on our arrival and didn't actually have us booked in . Slight mis communication on my . part - but hey I'd been doing lots of bookings ....... She had room for us as she juggled things around (she only has 4 rooms) anyway we had the top floor family area ( 2 bedrooms sharing a bathroom) and said we could move down into two other rooms tomorrow when another family arrived.

Walked into town and had a few drinks and then decided to eat at the Red Lion. It was really quite good. Home and asleep by 11 pm. No wonder we are sleeping in!