You know the old joke: God looks at our plans and laughs at them!
We had booked an off peak train to take us to Chichester in West Sussex. It was very cheap and we would be heading our way to Kent avoiding the city of London. Have you carried a tent and rucksack on the Underground?
We were not allowed to travel until mid morning and then someone apparently drove a van into a level crossing near Dorchester and our London train stopping at Southampton was delayed. Thankfully someone turned the Weymouth train around and about half an hour later we were on our way.
This meant that we got into Chichester mid afternoon. We walked into town and saw the facade of the magnificent cathedral.
I also noticed Wetherspoons and we saw a sign for the Tourist Information office. It had the foundations and remains of Roman baths in the building.
We had planned on going to Arundel for the Philip Larkin poem connection. But it was getting late and the two helpful ladies gave us a map of local campsites and which bus to catch.
We caught the bus which took us about six miles west of the town.
We walked up to a camp site and they charged us TWENTY SIX Pounds each to pitch our tents. Even Dick Turpin wore a mask.
Then we bought eight cans of cider from the village Off Licenceand walked to a beach. I of course placed the empty cans in my little rucksack and deposited them in the campsite dustbins.
Here's some photos:
You could have camped in our garden for free, or even used our spare bed, Marlene, Poppypatchwork
ReplyDeleteHow kind of you Marlene. We have often let walkers pitch their tents around here.
ReplyDeleteWest Wittering is obviously very posh so you have to pay squillions to camp there.
ReplyDeleteIt the only sandy beach around here, its very posh and expensive, Marlene, Poppypatchwork
DeleteIt keeps out the riff raff like me!😊
DeleteI should have drove my yellow Reliant Robin and worn my Titanic cap JayCee. Maybe I should have sang: " Angie"? Or " Love Changes Everything?". They know how to charge don't they?😎
ReplyDelete£26 to pitch a small tent for the night? I thought that mugging was criminal offence! As for Brexit, Johnson and Farage have a lot to answer for. They led this country up the garden path and their promises have not come true. Where's the £350 million a week for the NHS that Johnson had emblazoned on the side of the bus?
ReplyDeleteI found England very expensive and ten Pounds spend like a five Pounds note these days. Wetherspoon's, two Pounds bus and off peak train tickets and National Express coach tickets were they only thing reasonably priced. I see why people go to Spain and Portugal for cheap sun holidays. Brexit made England very expensive.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. A cottage by the sea would be perfect. Although I quite like the look of that wild camping spot. The soft golden sand looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteSummer campsite fees have become ridiculous, and that's if you've managed to secure a space without pre-booking. It's the reason I've not been camping in ages.
We have two of them in the countryside by the sea Jules. It was a lovely beach and people were very amiable and friendly.
ReplyDeleteThe people at the campsite in Wool were lovely and even told us they would have no hesitation in having us back any time. Sixteen Pounds a night with great facilities and even a charger that charged my phone for 20p at a time. I took my card this time because we have been refused cash in the past. The man near Cropredy village was also very kind to let us stay on his caravan site for a very reasonable fee. There are some good campsite owners. Can any bloggers recommend any good campsites or places to stay please leave a comment. Thanks.
Damn Dave, we could have put you guys up, or at least suggested much cheaper digs than anywhere near West Wittering. (And we have W'spoons, and bus and train stations, nearby too.) You've seen what is probably the best bit of West Sussex however. A lot of the best wild camping places are only open 60 days a year. It's all the law will permit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tigger's Mum. We wild camped at Chepstow last year.
DeleteNext time you come to England, please investigate Champing - whereby you pay a little to sleep in designated churches. I have no idea how much this costs.
ReplyDeleteChamping sounds like an Irish potato competition YP.
ReplyDelete