Peacehaven.

A great start to the day this morning. After a warmer night, the sun was already bright and the outside temperature a respectable 15c.

Although we were close to Chichester , we opted this morning to visit Dell Quay, a small port within Chichester harbour. The harbour itself is the smallest area of outstanding natural beauty in England, but despite this, it is home to 55,000 birds, 10,000 boats and 8,500 residents.

We have been here before many years ago, but never the less, we enjoyed taking a walk along the shingle beach, the glassy surface of the sea dazzling in the bright sunlight. The sea so still, the flotsam too lazy to move.

The heat of the autumn morning, a respectable 25c, brought beads of sweat to our foreheads. The continuing fine weather, makes us want to fire up Marge and just travel, travel, travel! To us, being away in Marge is a real tonic, we just can't get enough of.

Leaving the tranquility of Dell Quay behind, we journeyed towards Newhaven. We couldn't believe it was already nearly three weeks since we returned there on the ferry from France.

Looking for somewhere to stop for lunch, we noticed a field full of pumpkins, as we waited for the traffic lights to change at a road junction. We diverted into the car park adjacent, already busy with parents and children enjoying a half term activity of picking their own pumpkins at the 'Pumpkin Patch'. After a look around to marvel at the different variety of pumpkins on offer, we settled back into the van for our lunch.

This afternoon we went to view another campervan, which was the reason for our visit to this area. As nice as it was, and would really have suited us, we felt the corrosion on the underside, and a bit too much 'touching up', made it a no go. Further research into past MOT's did not prove to be reassuring reading. Back in Marge, we appreciated her finer qualities.

Tonight, we are staying behind the The Tavern public house, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven. There is another van here. The couple are booked on tomorrows early ferry to France. They are heading to Spain for the winter, flying home for Christmas. Then back to catch a ferry to Morocco. We could only be envious.

Before going into the pub for a drink (the requirement for parking overnight in the carpark), we took a walk out along the coast road to the supermarket. 

On our return, we were wowed by the dramatic sunset over nearby Brighton, promising a fine day tomorrow. 

Hunston.

This morning, we were greeted by a group of mature cyclists, gathered in the pub car park. As they left, wrapped up in a rainbow of colours against the early morning chill, we wondered where they were headed.

On route to tonight's stop, we called in at Poole, to check on our rental

properties.

We took a walk along the seafront to the quay, where we stopped for a while to watch the dredger in the marina, then off to the High Street, to visit the charity shops, to see if they had any Ercol furniture. (Not today).

After a quick look in the estate agents windows to check the house prices, and then a stop for a coffee, it was back to Marge for lunch.

From the van we enjoyed the views across the harbour, in the distance Corfe castle, barely visible in the watery light. On the beach, the oyster catchers with their vibrant orange bills were poking about in the crevices between the pebbles.

This afternoon, we joined the throngs of motorists, all in a hurry to be somewhere. For those stuck behind Marge it was a frustratingly, slow journey!

We are now at our overnight stop, behind The Spotted Cow public house at Hunston near Chichester, East Sussex. So another evening of drinks in the pub before dinner.

Tomorrow we will head nearer to Brighton, where we are going to look at a campervan (don't tell Marge).

(She's 16 years old, and the same price as Marge).

 It is purely to see if we need a larger van, or whether Marge is ideal for us. We'll let you know.

Norden.

Marge is on the road again!

This morning after topping up Marge's fluids, coolant for the engine, water in the tank and wine in the cupboard, we hastily packed a few clothes, our warmer duvet and essential food items, and set off for the south coast of England.

On route we passed a field of sheep, naked without their warm fleeces. We were also surprised to see lambs at this time of year.

After leaving the A34 at Newbury, we crossed country towards Andover, forgetting that Marge would have to negotiate the hill out of Hurstbourne Tarrant. The first time she climbed this hill, smoke emitted from her steering column, but today, toughened up by the mountains of Spain, the hill seemed little more than a bump in the road.

Heading towards our beloved Dorset, we bathed in the bright sunlight, and soaked up the afternoon heat. As we passed through Corfe Castle, the spectacular ruined castle, (thanks to Oliver Cromwell and a lot of gunpowder) showcase by a bright blue sky, stood proud over the village. 

Late afternoon, we arrived in Swanage, a town we return to again and again. Across the bay, we could see the seamless cliffs of the Isle of Wight blending into a sky of uninterrupted blue. After a walk around the town and along the seafront, the invading sea drove us to an upper level, where across the bay we could see the first signs of the sun dipping.

As we drove back towards our overnight stop, the opaque light, cast by the late afternoon sun, lit the heathland across Studland. 

The sight of vibrant orange pumpkins along the way, and with Corfe castle now bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, we could tell the night would be cold. 

Tonight we are at The Halfway Inn at Norden, just outside Corfe Castle.

It is a lovely, thatched, olde worlde pub, and a couple of drinks in their cosy bar were most welcome. We stayed here earlier this year in July, and we know we will return many times more in the future.

Tomorrow we will travel Eastwards along the south coast, our destination at the end of the week should be somewhere around Brighton.

Newhaven - Home

As we crossed the English channel yesterday evening, there was a beautiful cold purple sunset to the west.

Arriving at Newhaven, a large flock of seagulls flew back and forth across the bow of the car ferry, the spotlights of the ship lighting them, so they looked like giant snowflakes passing by the windows. Their attraction, the food source being churned up by the ferry's propellers.

As unloading of the vehicles commenced, we were a little envious of the young cyclists we saw, who had just returned from completing the Avenue Verte, London to Paris cycle way. Having cycled this route ourselves we recognised their elation at having completed it. As they bid farewell to each other, new friendships forged, we prepared to disembark behind them. Once off the ferry, we headed for our night stop, the staff car park, next to the lorry park at the front of the terminal. Living the dream, we had the comfort of the check in area with toilets and a cafe, so what was there not to like!

This morning, up early despite a late night, we set ourselves up with breakfast in the terminal cafe. Yet more cyclists arrived, on route to Paris, and there were even a few camper vans in the lanes waiting to embark. With the weather set for rain later in the morning, we stopped at a nearby B&Q to purchase some silicone sealant to put around the front of the van, just above the windscreen. Marge proved to be a little leaky when we suffered a thunderstorm in Spain, and not wanting a repeat of this, a temporary repair was necessary.

As we left Newhaven, a town of mist and murk, we were already missing the fantastic daytime weather of the continent. After a slow journey around the M25, Marge picked up speed as we moved onto the M40, in familiar territory she headed for home.

Arriving back early afternoon, the past month seemed like a dream. Over thirty three days, we had travelled a total of 3692 miles, and Marge had surprised us in her capability.

As we unloaded our stash of wine, we vowed to raise a glass to her this evening.

After emptying and securing the van, we set off to see our new grandson, now nearly seven weeks old.

Whilst the sadness, worries and problems that were with us before we set off are still there, we'd like to think that our trip in Marge has given us a clearer focus. We hope you have enjoyed our blog and have in some small way experienced our holiday with us.

Who knows, perhaps we'll manage another cheeky trip in Marge somewhere in England, before the end of the Autumn, and if we do, you'll all be invited along.