Now in Tichborne Arms near Winchester.
This morning walked around beautiful Bicton Park Botanical gardens for an hour. Stunning but marred by the cold wind and rain. Every time I lent over for Sacha she was soaked by a deluge of water that had collected in the brim of my waterproof hat. The driving became worse with thick fog as well.
Having only had cold, leftover coffee I stopped in Waitrose for coffee and croissant and had a chat with Wendy who was my age and also a bit of a traveller.
After a short walk in New Forest made my way to Tichborne. A delightful thatched pub which was very busy considering the tiny village. Whilst looking for Tichborne Park I managed to trespass by the huge manor house which meant a chat with the owner who was polite and understanding. Oops.
Just enjoyed a delicious meal.
Have arranged a ferry for the day after tomorrow to Dunkirk.
The next day.
Rain rain go away!
Heavy rain in the night. Wet weather gear and muddy wellies!
Stuck in traffic jam on motorway outside Hove for 2 hours. Heard on the radio that there was an accident and an oil spill. Then another jam for an hour in the outskirts of Brighton. This mucked up my plan to visit friends.
Since writing this I have had trouble connecting to the Internet and getting phone signal.
The ferry to Dunkirk was pleasant with a calm sea.
Drove to a campsite in Westende in Belgium.
Still unable to get onto Internet as it was gone 5pm!
Sunshine at first but heavy rain by the evening. Walked to the shower block with the heavy duty raincoat and hardly anything underneath.
The next day I drove 300 miles. Most of it in atrocious rain and wind. You couldn't see with all the spray the lorries were creating and there were bits of trees flying all over the place. The Belgian roads are quite bumpy so it was a relief to drive on the smooth Dutch roads although the rain was still bad.
I had the radio on and kept hearing a beeping sound which was worrying. Then I realised it was my new whistle key finder that I had treated myself to.
Now about to wild camp in the car park of a museum dedicated to the Romans at Kalkries near Osbabruck.
Good old McD's! We have lift off with their Internet so can post this.
Now heading for Denmark today and the sun is shining.