Footpaths

 Judy. It's pretty common knowledge that England is noted for it's footpaths. Pick up any British novel, and a walk along a trail will show up somewhere in the story. And you know we love to hike.

Looks like an invitation to me!

The English Costal Path is about a block from our little Airbnb, and we were told it was a pleasant five-mile walk to the ancient town of Arundel, with its castle and cathedral, so we headed out early one morning. I can't say it's the prettiest hike I've taken, and it was quite overgrown, but it was a pleasant walk by the River Arun for awhile, before it ducked inland through some farmland. 

Ted checks out the river

A couple of hours in, we stopped at the Ship and Anchor pub for cider and beer and conversation with the owner before walking on.

A much-deserved break

Getting closer to Arundel

Arundel Castle is noted for being in the Howard family (Dukes of Norfolk) for over 900 years; remarkable, since they were Catholics, and managed to keep it despite Elizabeth I having Sir Phillip Howard killed. He was subsequently made a saint, and the Catholic Cathedral in the village carries his name. 

Entrance to the castle and gardens

We wandered the village, ducked in the Cathedral and the charming Church of St. Nicholas (Protestant on one half, Catholic on the other), and, deciding not to explore the castle, had lunch in The Red Lion Pub and tea in a lovely tea shop before catching the bus back to Littlehampton.

St. Nicholas Protestant/Catholic church

Tea and cake

The South Downs

So many wildflowers

Sussex is home to a huge national park, the South Downs, which is a series of rolling hills. It's a popular place for walks, and, although we decided not to do a long walk, we took on a shorter one. It took us up a steep hill with incredible views, all the way to the Channel and Arundel on one side, and farmland on the other. Sheep watched us as we ambled by, and the few hikers we met were cheerful and helpful.

Gorgeous views

Once we topped the hill, we took a shorter detour over country roads, and discovered a beautiful 12th century church simply called the North Stoke Church, which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book! Of all the churches we've seen here--cathedrals to chapels, this one spoke to us most clearly.  

North Stoke Church

Beautiful day for lunch outside

One of many thatched homes

Then it was on down to the  Bridge Pub for lunch, and a walk to the charming village of Amberley, noted for its thatched-roof houses. We stopped for tea, and chatted with our waitress, a huge Elvis Presley fan. Then it was back to the train for the ride home.

A major surprise awaited us at the station:

Bomb???

Evidently, this is not uncommon, as old bombs from WWII are still found all over Europe. This one was discovered as ground was dug for a new housing development. It was a poignant reminder that this country suffered greatly during that war, a suffering I hope we Americans never fully understand, although we appreciate it.