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London & Chichester Diary

13th August Day 1

We left the Waggoneer Rally around 12.20 and set off to go via the A1,A14,M11,M25 and finally the A206 to Abbey Wood. Following, or more like my mis-interpreting Sat Nav instructions, I took a wrong turn and had to drive through the suburbs to eventually arrive at Feceration Road. We stopped at Bishop Stortford services and had lunch at Burger King before setting back on the road. We arrived to a very busy and virtually full site. Settled for pitch 111, which was on a slope and apparently had no electrics.

Un-happy we moved to pitch 89, sadly in the shade, but thankfully flat and wasn't too bad for the sun as Pam found out throughout our stay.

14th August Day 2

Ben and I ventured into london, Pam sadly confined to the caravan. At least she was able to sit out in the sun. We caught the train at what will be a much improved and far more impressive Abbey Wood station. It is still in the construction stage, but ar larger than it was the first time we visited. The improvements are to make way for the Crossrail/Elizabeth trains which start running sometime in 2018. We got off our train at Cannon Street and then walked into the centre, past St Pauls - down Fleet Street, past the Royal Courts and ended up at Leicester Square. There we sat and had lunch, previously purchased at a Tesco Metro at Covent Garden. After lunch we walked along Regent Street for Ben's first vsit to Hamleys, where we browsed a lot at the goods on the upper floors, before purchasing a present on the ground floor for Nana. We caught the train back from Charing Cross station going via Lewisham and Sidcup. There had been an incident on the line so we ended up back at Abbey Wood with the train heading in the direction of London, which was different. that night we eat out at Bexley Heath.

Above: Picture 1, the much larger Abbey Wood station to be. Picture 2, The George Pub on Fleet Street and finally inside Hamleys, certain well known people made of Lego bricks.

15th August Day 3

Another great day in London with Ben, but no Nana. Today we got off the train at Tower Bridge Station and walked along the embankment towards Tower Bridge itself.Instead of going on and over the bridge we headed in the opposite direction down Tower Bridge Road towards Abbey Street and hopefully number 123, the house in which Grand dad Baverstock lived. I had looked it up on Google which had shown a row of houses which they purported to contain number 123. However on arrival the houses shown where even number properties, 122 upwards. The site of number 123 no longer existed, being replaced by apartment dwellings. Disappointed. We then walked back to Tower Bridge , crossed it, taking photos, including several of the Queens Jubilee barge, which was moored in a basin close to the Tower, before setting off to walk back to the centre along the north embankment. We reached Charing Cross bridge where we then walked away from the river towards Leicester Square and the Lego Store for Ben to get his mosaic picture. A brilliant result, can't wait to see it actually made up, but not until we arrive at our Chichester site.

Seeing the Jubilee barge was a surprise, I didn't expect to see it moored in a marina close to Tower Bridge and with relatively easy access if one was so inclined.

16th August Day 4

We set off today back into London, courtesy of South Eastern trains, then the circle line to Paddington Station, where we caught a GWR service train to Hayes & Harlington. Our reason to visit the delights of Hayes & Harlington, of which we didnt see any, was to look around the London Car Museum. The star attraction we found out having paid to go in, was out on display elsewhere and not due back into the museum till late September. Despite that loss Ben thoroughly enjoyed his visit taking copious amounts of pictures of what was on display. We caught the train back to Paddington, where we had lunch, then onto the District line to Oxford Circus, where we changed to the Central Line taking us to Bank. At Bank we caught the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) to Woolwich Arsenal, where we joined company again with South Eastern back to Abbey Wood. The trip on the DLR passed Canary Wharf giving us a great view of the new Crossrail/Jubilee line station canopy. A wonderful wooden arched lattice structure which forms the upper concourse, with the station, I believe some four floors underground.

For pictures and comments click the following link The London Car Museum

17th August Day 5

Awoke earliest of the holiday so far, as we set off today for our site near to Chichester. We had a reasonable run down, the Sat Nav and I in agreement as to the best route. I un-fortunately missed the entrance to the site "Tawny Nurseries" and had to reverse, a few yards further on, fortunately into the wide entrance to a static caravan park. It still caused a slight hold up on the road but nothing serious. We set up with Ben helping on a rather bare patch, which had been allocated to us, with little grass in evidence, thanks to the previous occupier who was apparently using a non breathable ground sheet. With the awning erected and lunch out of the way Ben started his Lego mosaic, with which I was allowed to help. An honour, I truly appreciated. We went out late in the evening to try to find somewhere for a meal, but as is usual with Pam & I, nothing could be found. So back to the van for beans on toast!

18th August Day 6

Usual start time at least for me at 08:30, with Pam and Ben already awake and waitng patiently for me to stir. More work on the mosaic before we head off for our 1st visit, this holiday, to Chichester. Bens mosaic is finally complete- not bad really - less that a days work, when you add the parts of the two days working on it. It's brilliant so much like him, admitedly from a distance. A bit like an oil painting, equally best viewed from a distance. I helped again, but Ben placed the very last piece, the ritual of the moment photographed for prosperity.. We parked up in Chichester and Ben happily pushed Nana around in her wheel chair. We stopped for lunch at the 1st cafe/restaurant we came too, which is unusual for us, as we normally dither. After, we wished we had. Visited the cathedral - took pictures, without flash, then returned to the car, where we set of to visit Hayling Island. An interesting location - another Mablethorpe/ Sutton type location- a beach, very little in the way of amusements and places of interest, still enjoyable.

For pictures and comments click the following link Chichester

19th August Day 7

We set off to visit Weald & Downland museum at which they also had the added attraction of a Steam & Vintage event. We got close when the heavens opened and it chucked it down. As Pam in the wheel chair we decided against going and instead popped into a local Wickes to purchase a hose to use to connect to the tap and the Aqua Roll float. Then a quick return to Chichester to give Ben chance to look around the cars outside the local Aston dealers showroom and take some pictures. Had lunch at the local Harvester which we had spotted on our way out earlier, then back to the van, where Ben started his 3 in 1 Lego kit and Pam & I read and snoozed,

20th August Day 8

What we set out to achieve yesterday and missed as a result of the weather we achieved today, a visit to Weald & Downland. We arrived around 12:00 and decided to eat before entering the museum. Another mistake, as there was little choice and what there was, was expensive. Yet inside the museum at the Vintage & Steam event there was numerous places to eat and at more reasonable prices, never mind we live and learn. Very slow at the reception, only one person taking monies! The event activities very good - model railways and boats; some of the latter being dispayed on the museums lake,steam engines both large and small, Jaguar cars, army vehicles, lorries a bus and fire engine. Add to this various craft stalls and a fairground ride, quite a lot for your money. Difficult to get around with Nana in the wheel chair as on grass then gravel and hilly. Sadly unable to visit any of the buildings.

For pictures and comments click the following link Weald & Downland Museum

21st August Day 9

A very, very late start to the morning, with Ben and I still in bed at 10. Who cares we're on holiday. After breakfast I sorted out the self loading water system we had purchased earlier in the holiday and finally got it to work, by changing the hose connecter on the Aqua roll piece. Definitely need to make it that the pump hose that fits into the barrell is rigid so that the filter stays at the bottom of the barrel. At the moment being flexible means that it bends upwards sometimes I think above the actual water level.

22nd August Day 10

Took the A27 to Southsea. Parked up at Gunwharf Quays shopping centre & entertainment complex. Our reason for visiting here was our planned trip to the Spinnaker.

Found food within the shopping complex at F&B's. A mad house packed with families and their jabbering and shouting. Meal took ages to complete and in the end I was very glad to get out for some relative peace and quiet.

We queued at the Spinnaker Tower, very slow staff, only two on the tills, heaven help them if it gets busy.

We finally got in the lift which took us up to the lower viewing platform where we could take in the panoramic views of Portsmouth, Southsea and in the distance the Isle of Wight. Ben and I left Nana in her wheel chair as she was happy not to go any higher and we walked to the cafe at the next level, where we did not stop, but carried on walking to the final level, the open-air deck. We both took numerous pictures, surprising amount of HMS Elizabeth, which was moored within Portsmouth naval yard.

The Spinnaker is an amazing structure and definitely worth seeing, especially closeup, and paying to ascend. We have seen it on many occasions from a distance, it was well worth the effort to see it as we have today. A good day again, good weather in good company.

For pictures and comments click the following link The Spinnaker Tower

23rd August Day 11

We set off again in the direction of Portsmouth, with the intention of stopping on the seafront at Southsea for a picnic. We parked on the seafront in one of the numerous angled parking slots on the roadside. I rang to log the parking slot to be told I was in DV14VNN and that my debit card that I wanted to use ended in ***5, and I had not said a word. How in heavens did they know? BIG BROTHER is really is everywhere.

We started to walk towards the D-Day experience which is on the front to find that the museum was closed, they appeared to be making repairs to the roof. So next a visit to Southsea Castle, but the wind off the sea was a bit too brisk to expect Nana to sit in her wheelchair outside waiting for Ben and I to explore. Second visit aborted. Next stop a walk in the breeze along the waterfront heading in the direction of the Hovercraft port and the aim still of having a picnic somewhere on the front. However, with the wind showing no signs of abating and impossible for us to find anywhere to sit without being windswept, we decided to skip the picnic and to eat inside, which we did.

After lunch we returned to the car and set off again to park at the Gunwharf Complex, this time to catch the ferry to across the water to visit Gosport and the Submarine Museum. The transport link at Gunwharf is excellent, not only do you have a modern, high tech car park there is also the train, bus and ferry terminals alongside also. So only a short walk from the car park to the Gosport ferry where, a very helpful member of the company was there to explain the tickets that we required and to explain the short work on the other side to the museum. Very easy crossing and has we were told a short, easy, walk to the museum.

An interesting place, whether you are in to submarines or not. I recall again that I had been to the museum before, many years prior, with the girls when they were still in junior school. Much has changed, there is now a modern building, in the shape of a modern submarine, in which they have housed a comprehensive history of submarines service in the Royal Navy. From the very first submarine, the actual thing, through details of live on board to models of the latest vessels patrolling the seas. The main exhibit, still has to be HMS Alliance, in which you can enter and walk through, the entire length, to get a feel of what life would have been like on board a sardine can. Not for me, it was ok going through it on dry land, but what it must have been like several hundred feet underwater I would not like to find out. A very interesting museum to which we did not do full justice, more time needed to fully appreciate.

Back to the car and an easy drive home where we sat and had our lunch time picnic, as our tea, in the comfort of the awning.

For pictures and comments click the following link Submarine Museum

24th August Day 12

A drawn-out drive to Brighton, with every road chocker. It took, including finding a parking spot in Brighton close to 2 hours to make the short 30-mile journey. We eventually parked at Churchill Square shopping complex, I seem to have an affinity to shopping centre carparks, to find that extracting ourselves, especially with Nana in the wheel chair nigh impossible. Instructions to exit being non-existent. There was only one lift, totally inadequate to accommodate people with buggies or wheelchairs and once inside no indication of how to exit. Needless to say, we did manage to find a way into the shops, where we decided to eat before we ventured further. We eat once more at Ed's diner, offering a reasonable selection of food at, more importantly reasonable prices.

Having inevitably queued for the one and only lift we did finally make our way out of the complex and head straight for the sea front and the British Airways i360 tower, which was only a short walk away.

We booked our 3pm flight and stood in the sun at the outdoor departure lounge, watching the tower on its previous journey hovering 450 feet above us. The i360 is an impressive structure, it's a tube akin to an old factory chimney around which is suspended the gondola in which you travel. When the gondola is at disembarking level you see little of it, all that you see is the slender tube. When the gondola rises your view changes as the bottom of the gondola acts as a mirror, initially reflecting the departure area and people waiting for the next flight and as it rises the reflective views of the ground increase. Once on board you have a 360-degree viewpoint being able to walk around freely to take in the views over Brighton and the Downs; to the west, Hove, Worthing, and on a good day the Isle of Wight, and to east as far as Beachy Head. Well worth the experience.

A stroll along the beach side promenade to visit the Palace pier and there to take a further walk so far out to sea before returning to the main land and heading to show Ben the Royal Pavilion. Sadly, we were too late to go inside, but at least able to walk around the outside and, through the gardens, so that he could appreciate this unbelievable piece of architecture, placed as it is, in the midst of this bustling city.

Another great day, again excellent weather so that we could take full advantage of the i360 and the delights that Brighton as to offer.

For pictures and comments click the following link Brighton and the British Airways i360 Tower

25th August Day 13

Another late start again. It is becoming the fashion for this holiday. Possibly down to a combination of comfy beds and being tired from the previous days excursions.

After breakfast and washes, we took the awning down, which thanks to the pitch that we had been allocated, and to the previous occupants not having a breathable ground sheet, took a lot of cleaning before we could pack it away.

We had lunch at the van for a change, very nicely prepared and served by Nana. Weather again beautiful so we sat outside enjoying the aerial displays, first by a buzzard and then planes. The planes, two modern jets, unidentifiable, despite the low level that they passed over us at speed, followed some time later by a Spitfire and an American plane giving a display together. Unable to identify the American plane on the day.

Lunch over we had a drive out to West Itchenor, just a few miles out from the site, where we parked up and walked to the harbour. Here we sat taking in all the comings and more goings on the water as boats headed to and from Chichester marina. We enjoyed an ice cream and even more so, the delights of a kingfisher, as he headed towards us from the water, turned in front of us, a few yards away and flew away again. Sadly, far too much activity around the harbour with people with dogs, throwing sticks into the water for us to hope that the kingfisher would have settled nearby. A very pleasant way to pass an afternoon.

Meal that evening at the Harvester restaurant near Chichester.

26th August Day 14

We set off from site at 09:25 I had decided to stick to my original route plan of using the A34 Newbury/Oxford then the A43 to the M1 and then home. So far into the journey Kirsty texted us to say that the M1 was closed and should be avoided. She later clarified that the closure was affecting junctions 14-15 south side but that congestion was being reported as bad all around the area. We decided to stop at the first services as we accessed the M40 and look at our options. As we neared the M40 the Matrix warning signs were showing an event at Silverstone over the weekend, so that decided our route.

Route home now up the M40 and off at junction 15 and from there head for the M69 to pick up the M1 at Leicester Forest East, which is what we did. Plain sailing, especially through the new road system close to Coventry airport, what a change. Going smoothly until we passed junction 26 the turn off to the A453, when the traffic started to slow and inevitably came to a near stop. Someone had managed to turn his car upside down and not on the road but in the centre of the roadworks just short of the A52 exit. Once past it was plain sailing to junction 24 the Ikea exit where yet again someone had decided to collide with a lorry in the underpass of the M1 - silly billy.