24 July Arundel

Today I woke up feeling much better - although I still have the remains of the cold, which hits me in bursts every now and then (says she recovering from a bout of coughing). Still, I had decided that it was wise to stay a little closer to home for the day so we did a short bus ride to the local town of Arundel. Now this is not pronounced a-run-dell as we were informed by some very friendly locals at the bus stop, but aaron-dell, after the River Arun (aaron) that it is built next to. There is a rather large castle there, which this week is hosting a jousting competition - but instead I decided some fresh air and exercise would be best for us all. To that end I will let the photos tell the story of todays 3 - 4 hour walk.

You can just see the corner of the place we ate lunch on arrival (bread at home was mouldy!) This is the River Arun looking upstream

Looking downstream on the other side of the bridge. The cafe on the left is behind the local museum where we stopped to get a map of the local area.

Ruins of a Dominican Priory built in the second quarter of the 13th century. A tour group of teenagers from Europe (German or French) arrived just before us headed for the castle - another reason not to go there! We had to negotiate these sorts of groups in London and then again in Worthing yesterday

From the museum we walked along this tree lined path that follows a small creek

Playground that was visited, until Jacob jammed his finger in the swing!

View from this path as we walked

At a bridge we took a right turn to walk through the 'wetland' area.  The boys kept saying "What's that smell?" (My nose was blocked!) - guess what it was?!

The path had areas of light and then dense "jungle" (as the boys wanted to call it).

Inside the "jungle". The water is on our left at this stage.

As we emerged at the end of this path we met the River again and this view.

Looking down the river towards the Black Rabbit Inn.

The view back towards the castle as we emerged.

We walked along the edge of the river on this path which was freshly mown - the tractor was even out and still working as we came through.

From the Black Rabbit we had to walk along the country lane.  Was interesting to watch the cars try and pass each other.

At Swanbourne Lake (which was almost right back to the bridge where we  turned off to walk through the wetlands) we walked around the far side past the Pumping Station.

View across the lake to Swanbourne Lodge, which is a tearoom and where they hire boats for the lake.

Ducky friends that came to see if we had food!

Other friends from along the walk.

After walking around one side of the lake we climbed over a stile and into a farmer's paddock (he allows it - its a public footpath). From there we walked down this valley.

We then followed the path around and up the hill to walk for some distance back the way we came. The path we walked (from left to right) is visible in the middle of the photo

View across the hills

At the top of the hill was Hiorne Tower - "Our own little castle" as Jacob said.

We followed this road with well maintained lawns (the area on the left was electric fenced so people leave the sheep in peace). 

At the end of this road we passed this rather interesting little house with royal purple curtains.

The view as we walked included houses like this - they are guest houses where you can stay.

This is the Arundel Cathedral - of Our Lady and St Philip Howard.

Further down the road is St Nicholas Church. It was 'rebuilt' in 1380.

The castle. We could hear the sound of the jousts as we walked

The High Street

This area is part of the Duchy of Norfolk, as Earl of Arundel. This plaque expresses the towns gratitude to the Duke who was mayor in 1935-36 and lived in the town until his death in 1976.

War Memorial in the town square