Menootanaboot; Southernmost

If you've been following closely, you will know that this big Firsts Trip in The Grey was to head back, finally, to Tigger's castle to visit with him and his peeps and collect all the stuff I left back in May. Last week I noted the several stopovers I made en route from the Suffolk clan meetup. I wonder if any of you got maps going to trace that route? That's all part of the fun, isn't it? Maps... Planning the journey is a significant part of the joy of travel. Adjusting those plans as need or whim arise is also.

Oh, you're back, are you?

Anyway. I landed safely at the southernmost point of this trip and parked The Grey up for a few days, reverting to using the quite excellent bus services of the area.

F and Mr B were both out at work on Thursday, so I made myself busy with getting the second video (such as it is) edited and uploaded. I really, REALLY have to get better at that. Effectively half the day went on that alone. Then there was some scheduling of blog posts and some Tigger quality time, and before we knew it, the peeps were home again, and we spent a pleasant evening in conversation.

Friday, in the morning, Mr B joined me sitting in The Grey with his cuppa while I waited for the power bank to recharge. We talked over some of my plans for the completion of the interior and the merits of having the power bank over direct use of the power on board. 

(For the van curious; the Bluetti has been excellent. Runs the T50 Alpicool for a full 24 hours on the 12v as well as permitting boiling of the kettle, use of induction hob and recharging of phone and laptop in that period. One charge up from Grey's reserves then takes about two and a half hours in the morning while I have brekky and read blogs and news and only uses up about five miles of van power for a full charge.)

Yeah, whatever...

My plan for Friday afternoon was to bus over to Chichester for a wee shopping trip and lunch... I set off at 12:30h with a reasonable expectation of being at the sushi bar about an hour to an hour and quarter later.

Things went awry right from the first bus stop, where the 23 arrived nearly 20 minutes past schedule. At the station where I changed to the stop for the 700, there was a growing queue and a few murmurings about late buses. One of them was the driver of the bus that was supposed to be turning up. After another 20 minutes, she went off to see if there wasn't a spare unit somewhere so she could start her shift. It was discovered there had been two major accidents at both ends of the route and another to the north, and the whole system was now in arrears by as much as 90 minutes! Bless 'em, I must say there was quite a flurry of effort on behalf of the drivers and supervises to keep people calm and find alternatives. 

Anyway, our lady returned with a vehicle, and the 20 or so of us waiting piled on. Only a few stops later, to have to get off again due to a very unfortunate case of an old gentleman having major bowel dysfunction. The poor driver who had worked so hard to get us going became quite ill with the stench from it. Off we all got, and the company had another bus to us within ten minutes.

I finally alighted in Chicester at dot on three of the clock. I know this for certain because the cathedral bell told me so!

Giving up on the idea of sushi, I found, instead, a lovely little cafe to have a milkshake. Made with fresh strawberries. It was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s!!! I lingered in the cobbled precinct (all pedestrianised now) to admire the buildings and enjoy the 28'C sunshine.

The Council House
(you and I might call it the town hall)

I went down to the wholefood shop to get some dried figs, prunes and coconut to have in the van, checked out a couple of other shops just for the heck of it, and then went back to the cathedral to find I was just on time for the 700 return bus. A much more straightforward run this time! 

A close-up of the sculpture outside the Council House.
In response to the inevitable question, this from the Sussex Heritage Trust;

 

Admiral Murray was born in Chichester in 1759 and died at this home in North Street in 1819. He served as Captain of the Fleet under Nelson, saw service in the American War of Independence, as well as the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The concept of the sculpture was from Richard Plowman, Chairman of the Murray Club, to show the close friendship between Murray and Nelson and was executed by sculptor Vincent Gray.

Friday evening was glorious, and Mr B decided we would have a barbecue. He had been to the supermarket and brought home some meatless burgers for me, bless 'im. When F got back from her allotment duties, she was surprised to find it all organised, and we settled ourselves in for a proper midsummer night. I realised that I had not enjoyed a barbecue since my Sydney days. Over a decade now...

Sigh. Good food, good weather, good company... 

More tomorrow!