Breakfast was a mixture of buffet style and cooked-to-order with a toast-your-own-toast option. The latter was a little quirky as is often the case. Everything was good quality with the bacon standing out for a special mention; it was perfect in texture and taste.
Fuelled up with breakfast we walked to the nearby Wetlands Centre. It was a delight to hear a cuckoo along the way.
We saw many species of wildfowl and I particularly enjoyed the Dalmatian pelicans, kingfisher and sand martins. We took a trip on an electric boat with a knowledgeable guide who pointed out various wildlife features and creatures along the way as well as imparting lots of interesting information. We walked along the shady board walk and also took advantage of the various hides around the site.
We tried out the various binoculars that were on display before heading off on our return walk to the hotel. I was tempted by a couple of pairs of the binoculars and thought I might go back and purchase a pair.
Back at the hotel we freshened up and had a pre-dinner prosecco in the bar attached to the hotel before dining in the China Place Chinese Restaurant. We opted for one of the set menu meals and were treated with excellent service throughout our meal.
After dining we returned to the Red Lion for a night cap. The live entertainment wasn’t quite so lively as it had been the previous evening.
Tags: Arundel, Arundel Castle, Arundel Wildlife & Wetlands Trust, Vacation, West Sussex, Wildlife and Wetlands Trust, WWT
Before setting off we called in at mum’s to collect our anniversary card. She had been hoping to post it to the hotel until she realised we were stopping in two hotels.
Our journey ran smoothly although there were a few slow areas due to heavy traffic. We had lunch at the Granary Cafe at Watlington which was recommended in my recently purchased ‘Extra Mile’ book. Which lists delicious eateries as alternatives to stopping at motorway service stations. We had to wait a while for the food to arrive (crustless quiche for me) but when it did it was worth the wait. After lunch we enjoyed a quick stroll through the town to see the interesting architecture, including the Town Hall.
On arrival at Arundel, we found the tucked away hotel carpark and checked in to The Norfolk Arms. It was a lovely sunny day so we dropped our bags in our room then enjoyed a glass of wine (beer for Mr C) in the hotel garden area.
Later, our bags unpacked, we enjoyed dinner in the hotel restaurant. I chose guinea fowl with croquettes flavoured with truffle oil; it was delicious. We shared a desert; apricot and almond fool with amaretti cream. Yum!
We crossed the road to the Red Lion where we found that an open mike evening was taking place. We were treated to some talented singing and good old classic music before it was time to retire for the evening.
Tags: Arundel, The Granary Cafe, The Norfolk Arms, The Red Lion, Vacation, West Sussex, Witlington
I have now completed my pledge to walk 150 miles between the 1st May and 19th June in support of the School Readers Charity. I will be able to add a few more miles to the total milage of all participants before the challenge ends.
I have now had my interview that will hopefully lead to me becoming a School Reader.
Schoolreaders goal is for all children, regardless of background, to leave primary school being able to read well so they can go on to access their secondary education fully and maximise their future life chances.
Established in 2013, Schoolreaders matches volunteers to local primary schools – focusing on schools with the greatest need – where they give one-to-one reading sessions.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2023, Race for Reading, Race for Reading2023, Schoolreaders
The weather was kind to me allowing me to dine on the patio.
Tags: Cherie's Place, Dining, Patio, Youngs Salmon Fillet Dinner
But for now this is a taster of our Silver Wedding anniversary celebrations.
Tags: Anniversary, Arundel, Brighton, East Sussex, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Elements Autocreation, Portrait, Self Portrait, Silver Wedding Anniversary, The Grand Hotel, The Norfolk Arms Hotel, West Sussex
The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen that you bring up there.
Robert M Pirsing
Tags: Cherie's Place, Cherie's Place Thought, Ted, TedVenture, TedVentures
