Half way through and time for a rest!
Started the day in Amberley, where we camped last night. Had a quick breakfast then decamped and hopped-it down into the village just in time to catch a train to Arundel.
Ticket machines broken and no conductor… bonus!
Snapped a picture of the old signalman’s house at Amberley. There’s something very ‘English’ about all these small, old country stations. Probably the same platforms and ticket offices that have stood since the railway was built in Victorian times, or whenever. So it’s sad to see them all closed up and totally unmanned now.
At Arundel station I left my big heavy pack in the waiting room of a taxi office, so I could have a little mooch around the town and get some postcards of the castle. (Because I know a certain little girl who will be very interested to hear that I’ve been to visit the Frozen Disney Kingdom of Arendelle!)
Also bought some Arundel fudge and ended up chatting with the girl in the shop for ages about the South Downs Way and about Sméagol. Everyone I meet has the same reaction to him. First, they think it’s an awesome name (I’ll take the credit for that one) and then they can’t believe his age when I say that he will be 12 this year.
Back on the train and it was then a long wait for our connection at Ford station. (I would have complained but then I did ride for free, so one mustn’t grumble!) Sméagol was loving the attention of two young girls who helped me by taking him so I could concentrate on wrestling with my backpack. Once on the train again, we met another dog that actually had the name ‘Yoda!’ As soon as I heard this I said, “I’ve just got to get a picture of Sméagol & Yoda together!”
We arrived in Goring by Sea, which is where my uncle & grandparents had all lived. Checked into our AirB&B just a short walk away, and then it was back to Goring to get the laundry done, stock up with more ibuprofen, and buy more dog food. Treated myself to a nice pub dinner, and then we took a stroll along the stony seafront as dusk fell.
Both of us all rested and itching to get back up on the Downs tomorrow.
Some Things Written 