Monday 2nd March (Day 1)
So a trip to Somerset to pick the Motorhome up after a new door lock; a new Hecki roof light; repair the damaged back corner; fix the electrics; and check the garage for damp. First before leaving I had to get a blood test done and Chris her hair trimmed. By 11.00am we were off. M25 / M4 / M5 all clear so less than four hours to get there. Then things went a bit awry. We transferred our gear from the Micra to the Motorhome. Then, while checking the motorhome, I noticed some damage to the paintwork. Scratches - some down to the metal. Eventually it was agreed that I would get an estimate from Ford in Romford and they will then pay for the repair. So it was not until almost 4.30pm we left to make our way towards Plymouth. We had arranged to stop at The Avon Inn, South Bolton, Avonwick, which was about 25 miles from Plymouth. We parked up and sorted the motorhome out and then went into the pub for a meal. A really great meal was had and 8.15pm saw us back to watch a bit of TV before an early night.
Tuesday 3rd March (Day 2)
So while we had, apparently, a quiet spot to stop the road was one with quite a bit of traffic - even at 4.00am. Eventually we were up, showered, dressed and fed and off to Plymouth, which was about 30 minutes way. We had arranged to park at David's wife's mum's house - Anne. So by just after 10.15am, with nice sunshine we were parked on the drive which, while easily big enough, had just enough turn to get through the gateway from the roadway. We then both changed into our best wear for the funeral and then walked to meet Mick (Chris' brother) at the Future Inn for a coffee. While crossing the car park we met Chris' cousin Sue and her husband John. Sue, we discovered, was to take the service. Andrew, for whom the funeral was for was only 58 but he was only expected to live for about 8 years so when born so, while a sad affair, he did well. 1.15pm saw the service begin, with over 140 people present, indeed standing room only. A nice service and then back to the Future Inn for the wake. It was here that Chris discovered she had lost an earring, part of a set I bought her for our 25th Anniversary. We searched Mick's car and also where we sat in the hotel lounge with no luck. We then contacted the crematorium to no avail. The wake was a pleasant affair with much catching up with friendships but also new friendships being formed. Slowly people left and then then the close family retired to Anne's house for a further chat and food. By 10.00pm all were leaving to their homes. We also then retired to our MH.
Wednesday 4th March (Day 3)
The rain during the night was incessant and a grey day greeted us. We decided to drive to the crematorium to see if we could find the earring outside in the grounds. After saying our goodbyes to our host we drove to the crem but did not turn up the missing item of jewellery. It was then another short drive to Paddy's house, Chris' aunt and Andrew's mum. Here we chatted for a couple of hours before bidding farewell. The weather looked like it was set for the day (wet) so we opted to drive for most of what was left. We had identified a Certified Site behind a pub called the Parish Lantern, Whiteparish, Wiltshire. We were informed the CS was waterlogged but we could stop in their car park. It was a pleasant drive with only two bits of heavy traffic. One on the A303 for no apparent reason and the second getting through Salisbury which was really congested. Arriving at the pub we found the only part of the car park available was like a swimming pool. This was due to the car park being very busy. We found the reason was due to a wake being held in the pub - a bit of a theme. Chris spoke to the landlord and he showed us the CS and we agreed we could get on the CS by staying on the bit of the driveway. We settled in and sat with a cup of tea and now the rain had stopped. We went over to the pub later on for a pint but then returned to cook and eat in Billina. A quiet evening before bed.
Thursday 5th March (Day 4)
Just for a change around 4.00am it started to rain, with biblical ferocity. As we are on mains electric we were nice and toasty. A simple breakfast and empty the toilet - much needed - and then we were off. This has been a great stop at only £3 for the night with EHU (electricity). As we started the engine to clear the windscreen the pub owner in full sou'wester came out and opened the gate for us. They were such nice people. This is a day for 'the olds' - more of that later. First we had to negotiate the flooded roads sending spray well over the hedges back into the fields whence it had come. After a brief shop we arrived at my 85 year old aunt for a couple of hours chat. She had forgotten we were intending to visit and so 'the surprise' was exceptionally well received. While there she gave me a photo of my mum taken around 1930. This is probably only the fourth or so photo I have of her so it was most appreciated. By about 2.00pm we were off for the 30 minutes journey to meet Joan Walker. She is 92 (I think) and had a stroke about seven years ago. She was the head teacher at our son's infant school and we also had many dealings with her while we were scout leaders for 25 years. We hadn't seen her since soon after her stroke and were pleasantly surprised at her sprightliness. Another two hours chatting before we bade farewell. Our destination for tonight was 'The Black Rabbit' at Arundel alongside the River Arun. It has great reviews from other motorhomers and we opted to stay here and pay rather than wild camp a couple miles away. They banged on a bit about a 'voluntary' £10 donation for the local air ambulance but that is ok. We went in and had a meal and it was very tasty but they were a bit stingy with the mashed potato. A good meal though and a nice place to eat with friendly staff. We were back to the Motorhome by 8.00pm and the first thing was to put the heating on as it was 'brass monkeys' both outside and inside. Then a DVD (no TV signal) followed by bed.
Friday 6th March (Day 5)
So a lovely sunny start to the day. After breakfast etc we left the pub car park which had proved a great stopover and drove about one and a half miles to Arundel itself. Free parking along the river (and overnight should we have wished). Then a short walk into the town itself. The castle is massive - and a lot of it fairly 'new' - just over a hundred or so years. That said it does not open until Easter. Next to the castle was St Nicholas' church. We went in and found one half was covered in scaffolding as they were renovating and stopping the leaky roof. We strolled around and were politely accosted by a local man - not associated with the church. He gave us all sorts of information; such as the church was built in 1380. The castle next door 1067. The Normans built a catholic church as part of the castle and St Nicholas' church joined it. So much so that a dispute between the Norman Lord and the church priest developed. Eventually the Lord won (what a surprise) and the common wall between the two was taken down and an iron grill replaced it. So standing in St Nicholas' you can view the Catholic Church which can only be entered from within the castle. We eventually left and went to the Catholic cathedral. Ok but not inspiring this was followed by a stroll along the main shopping street where we perused the antique shops and finally settled in a little tea room for a pot of tea. About half an hour before midday we left both shops and then Arundel itself and made for our stop for the next two nights - The Caravan & Motorhome Club Site at Brighton. By 1.30pm we had arrived, found a place to settle, cooked tomorrow's curry and sat down to lunch (pasties). We then strolled into Brighton which was about a 45 minute walk. A pleasant walk in the sunshine along the seafront. Having identified where Ball and Boe were performing this evening we returned to The Lanes and spent an hour or so looking in shops and laughing at some of the items and their cost. Then a further walk along one of the main shopping streets before returning and going to one of the three Wetherspoon pubs as we opted for a cheaper meal today. £15 for both of us fish, chips, peas and a pint. We dragged it out and indeed found ourselves sitting in amongst ten other 'silver surfers' all going to Ball and Boe this evening. Looking around the pub we saw that it was going to be almost empty with patrons attending the concert. By 8.00pm we were sat in the Brighton Centre and found that there was hardly a bad seat in the place; and ours were particularly good. The first act was Shaun Escoffery (Mustafa in the Lion King)! While he was good it was obvious everyone was only there for the main act. After half an hour there was a short 15 minute break and then two hours solid of Ball & Boe. They absolutely smashed it - Les Mis,Phantom, songs from their newest album, Grease, and so much more. Everyone wanted more but left happy. Just before 11.00pm we started off intending to walk back to the site but after a short distance we opted for taxi. Back at Billina 2 we had a small libation to reward us for our endeavours of the day and then bed.
Saturday 7th March (Day 6)
A chilly night and grey start. That said we did not really wake until 9.15am. So a slow start to our day. After the normal necessaries we walked into Brighton again. Our plan was to visit the Brighton Pavilion. I had passed this Indian looking building many times as a youngster with my parents but never seen inside. Having got to the pavilion we first walked over to the museum to see whether it was worthwhile getting a dual ticket. It was not as, due to International Women's Day (tomorrow) entry to the museum was free. So we spent an hour or so having a look around. A wide and diverse museum with even Extinction Rebellion having a, quite large, area to 'educate'. Having left the museum we paid our entry fee to the Pavilion itself, slightly piqued that 'seniors' did not get a price reduction, unless locals. That said, and given that the outside needed some serious TLC, the inside was quite stunning. Built in the 1800's by the Prince Regent (who became King George IV). Outside it was Indian in style while inside Oriental. George IV had been to neither country / area. The dining room had a chandelier that was 30 foot tall and weighed over one ton. This room had four other chandeliers also, each held up by a dragon. The kitchen was a marvel of its time. The centre of it had a steam table (no longer there) that food was served up on to keep it hot. The rest of the kitchen was unchanged. Then there was the Music Room again stunning, indeed it was a great place to walk around. King George IV held many balls, concerts and gatherings here, even entertaining himself. He was in power at the time of many publications and satirists and became the butt of much ribaldry and had fun poked at him. He became quite disliked due to several reasons two being his number of lovers and another he was very fat. After leaving this building we went shopping before returning to the motorhome to watch England play Wales at rugby. England won and became triple crown winners. Whether they win the Six Nations is not known as France are in the mix and with Coronavirus it is not known when, or if, the remaining games will be played. Then it was Back to the camp site curry night and sleep.
Sunday 9th March (Day 7)
Well the bad weather returned and we had, probably, the third windiest night in a motorhome ever, accompanied by some heavy rain. Dawn saw bright skies and the wind gone, which was good for us as the Dartford Crossing bridge would have been shut causing huge congestion. We then spent a couple of hours cleaning Billina thoroughly as this has not occurred since before Christmas. That meant it was just gone 11.00am when we left for home. We had a good run with little traffic and were parked up, swapped our gear into the car and indoors, after some shopping, by 1.40pm.