Monday 22
Arrived at 1230 at Rainham, outer NE London to pick up our home for the next 16 nights, a 4 berth campervan. After getting the run down on how it all works, we then headed to the shops to get supplies. It was decided not to go to far today as Fiona had to set up the camper.



Canterbury was chosen 30 miles away. Camping was on a farm that they have set up as a camping ground to subsidise the farm income or to finance his love of restoring his old cars. What a man!!!

Tuesday 23
Our aim was to look at 2 sites. First, the White Cliffs of Dover, a walk along the shore line was order of the day, very high and step white cliffs. The port of Dover was almost a large as the cliffs themselves, ships coming and going what seemed like every 10 minutes.



After lunch it was time to look at item number 2, the Secret War Tunnels and facilities constructed in the cliffs of Dover. This was where the evacuation of Dunkirk was run from, most interesting. Unfortunately,we weren't allowed to take photos inside the tunnels but this is part of Dover Castle which sits on the cliff tops above.



Then onto Battle, near Hastings to get a camp site for the night.

Wednesday 24
Our goal was to look at the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by William the Bastard from Normandy at the now Town of Battle. We walked the battlefield and listened to a audio recording of what happen on that day 14th October 1066 between King Harold of England and William, the Duke of Normandy, each had about 7000 men of which half died in the battle. Of course William was victorious and became known as William the Conqueror from then on, changing the course of English history. This is Battle Abbey Gatehouse



This is looking from the top of the hill occupied by King Harold of England's troops towards the other side where William the Conquerer's Norman troop were lined up. Remember all this happened on 14 October 1066 and apparently there wasn't as much forest or bushes around then. The hill is quite steep. If you remember, we saw the story of this battle in the Tapestry at Bayeux in France.



Then William built an Abbey on the site where Harold was killed. Not much of it remains today.



Then it was on the road towards our next stop over, unknown at this time. It appears that in almost every town there is a castle of some standing, this was defiantly the case in Arundel. After seeing it on our approach to town we decided to take a closer look and have a stop, revive and survive break. As time was late we did not have time to do a tour of the castle, just a talk with the man at the gate. As it turned out this is a very complete and original castle, first started to be built in 1067, with the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk living in it today. We may try and get back to have a closer look, as it is only 60 miles from London.

We made it to a van park in Fareham in Dorset west of Portsmouth for the night.
The weather has been excellent with day temps up to mid 20’s and the nights very mild. The country side is very green but locals tell me they need rain. The campervan is working out fine, taking a bit of getting used to. The bed is not as good as we had in the ute though, maybe we got spoilt. Well time for me to do the washing up now (John) because Fiona did the cooking.

Thursday 24
Not knowing what to look at today we hit the road at 0900 and headed towards Exeter. It was not long before we took a wrong turn and started heading towards London. Back on the correct course again we came across Romsey, a small quiet town. By now it was time for a break and walked around to see the town then on the road again. Then we saw a sign of a National Trust House “Kingston Lacy” so we decided to go and have a look. It was the home of the Bankes family for over 300 years. The House contains an outstanding collection of pictures including works by Tintoretto, Rubens, Titian and the astounding Guido Reni fresco, together with a collection of Egyptian artefacts. Words can not explain how grand the house, stables, wash house, outside kitchen and fern garden etc were. Again we weren't allowed to take photos inside.

This is the house overlooking the extensive gardens



This is the back of the house looking toward the kitchen and laundry yard



Drove 110 miles today, but it took 3 1/2 hours due to towns everywhere, roundabouts and narrow roads. Arrived at Charmouth, between Bridport and Axminster and stopped for the night.

Meanwhile, Fiona would have like to have stopped at the likes of Brighton Pier, Bognor Regis, Dorchester and a few other towns along the way, but time gets away. John picked up some brochures when we got to the camping area and discovered he had missed a Tank Museum at Bovington and now is considering going to back to it later on. Maybe!! He also said he had had enough exposure to military vehicles and museums for the time being. Obviously the time is up but not until next week at least.

We are heading towards Cornwall tomorrow and past Plymouth. Will have to examine the National Trust book to see where we stop for another break.