The Arrowgroup

Day One: Tuesday 24th June

And so it is to the south coast the group head this year with a few days spent in Sussex and Hampshire.

The group duly assembled as usual, no hire car this year, they instead electing to use Chris’s car. A diversion due to traffic James meant an early breakfast at McDonalds in Ashby, finally arriving in Chichester at 2pm. Whilst in conversation, Mark is discussing extremist tribes and is thinking of Muslim ones. He hits on Wasabi. No.. says Mike: 'I'll think you’ll find that’s Japanese Horse Radish..'

Entry to our rented house ‘Steddles’ proved a little difficult, trying to find the array of key holders available to us. This was to prove so far the most expensive house we have rented, at £1800 for a week. Naturally it was then straight to the local Sainsburys for food stock up. The group then split somewhat with Mr Mark and Stuart on extended DSA and Mike and Chris having a walk around Chichester city centre.

A quick meal in Wetherspoons kicked off the evening with visits to a few of the local pubs as is tradition. One feature that kept the group amused was that Mark had a bad back after his heavy motorcycle fell on him, causing cries of ‘Ohh me back’ whenever anything caused him to move or jolt slightly, ie laughing at jokes, moving suddenly etc. This kept the group amused for hours and was kept up throughout the trip.

Day Two: Wednesday 25th June

It was up and out for breakfast to Wetherspoons, The Dolphin & Anchor, which was to be a feature of the early mornings as is usual now. Escape Rooms I hear you say? That’ll do nicely as the group had one already booked, ‘Room 13’. A murder mystery which we eventually did solve with some help.

After all that cerebral overtime a trip to Bosham Harbour would prove most relaxing. The tide was high so it was interesting to see the road covered with water. Obviously lack of walkable area meant a visit to the cafe there and some nice chat etc over tea and cakes. An amble then over to the church provided us with photo opps with the legend that old one in the eye Harold who copped it at Hastings was either buried there or wandered round there a bit..

The fun doesn’t stop there though oh no..there’s mosaics to visit in the form of Fishbourne Palace, where Roman remains were discovered in the 1960’s. An interesting layout undercover of various floor mosaics in situ which for some members proved less than interesting in actuality. ‘It’s just a load of old tiles’ came the withering response when asked on his enjoyment levels. That’s 2000 years of history down the drain then…

Some DSA followed back home, Mark and Chris getting some drone shots of the house before heading out once more for an Indian meal and drinks thereafter.

Day Three: Thursday 26th June

The day started cloudy with some light rain but that didn’t stop the on going fun. After breakfast the group walked around Chichester cathedral for some video opportunities and whatnot. All good and a most interesting entertainment.

After the group reconvened at the house a short while before heading off to Arundel Castle, they only too willing to furnish his grace the Duke of Norfolk with 30 of our finest British pounds. As one of the group is registered blind an attempt was made to reduce the cost by having a one of the group as a carer. Normally successful, the officious lady at the entrance office was having none of it, asking for ID etc, so the group fell at the first hurdle. Always worth a try though..

The castle itself was interesting, observing the Lordly fixtures and fittings, pictures of his family etc, like going round someone’s house in fact. Only bigger. A stop halfway through at the cafe proved a useful break. Stuart has ordered and sat down. Mike stays a while and sits down leaving Chris & Mark in charge.When they have the order, they walk off to find the pair but miss them completely and are only able to find them when they are shouted at. ‘We're here’ says Stuart.’Can’t you see us?’ ‘Yes’ says Chris ‘but we didn’t want to sit with you’. This brings an audible laugh from the guy on the next table. Whilst in the same café, Stuart is describing the paintings he has at home and reeling off a list of impressive artwork. "Have you got an Anna Kourikova " asks Chris to which Stuart says "I don’t know why I bother talking to you, you're a blithering idiot".

A tour after round the gardens admiring the greenery on offer brought us back then to the car and back home for DSA. Out later with a meal at an Italian before heading to the pub. They took part in a pub quiz at the Old Cross and came 4th amongst strong competition. That was the £72 prize gone..

Day Four: Friday 27th June

A trip out to Portsmouth today and after breakfast it was all systems go for Gosport via the Gunwharf Quays car Park. They got the Gosport ferry, Mark’s extra loud Ratting, still undiminished despite advancing years, attracting unwanted attention from a group of French school children. Serves ‘em right for coming within the Arrowgroup orbit. Members of the public do so at their peril and own risk..

An exploration of a submarine, HMS Alliance then commenced after walk to the museum which proved another interesting entertainment and enjoyed by all. More subs of varying sizes completed the experience and they headed back to Portsmouth back across on the ferry and to the Spinnaker, handing over the overpriced £15.50 fee to be taken up a lift to 370ft for a view over to the Isle of Wight, if you were to look in a south westerly direction from said viewing platform. Mic, not being able to appreciate the view in lieu of lack of proper vision, stayed ground side.

More snacks follow at the Cafe Nero at the base of the tower then the group walked across to the site of the pub they rested at before boarding a ferry to the Isle of Wight back on Arrow 8 in 1992, for a nostalgic visit. It’s now called the A bar. Gonna take you to an A bar, so the song goes. Or something like that..

Back home again then after DSA to for a Chinese meal which was OK, listening some Hooray Henrys about their private school life..after which it was the pubs once more, on their last night. The final drink was spent at the Eastgate pub where a live bandpass playing, the group sat outside with plastic glasses but it was very convivial.

Day Five: Saturday 28th June

It was time to leave sadly, being the last day. The group cleaned the house and locked up and off they went towards Oxford, their favoured destination, rejecting a trip to a medieval village as the alternative. An error of judgement as it turned out..

The group eventually arrive at the Redbridge Park and Ride in Oxford after a delay due to the A34 being shut meaning a diversion and traffic queues. Being in a car with no air-con, this was indeed most unpleasant as temps reached 28 degrees today. They then got the bus which was equally as hot and stifling into the city. It was packed with tourists which made moving around very difficult, so they abandoned a planned longer stay and got the bus back and back home.

And so another trip ended, the weather was fair throughout and very pleasant all round.