We've had a holiday day.

Tuesday July 7th 2020.

The hankering for the sea had become insufferable. The weather looked better down on the south coast so after much planning and umming and ahhing we threw somethings in the car and took off to Littlehampton West Sussex.

Littlehampton has 2 beaches either side of the river Arun. The east beach is a bit scuzzy, some amusements, people probably lots of people. Whereas the west beach is a nature reserve a pebbly beach and sand dunes. So we have options, at present we are not wanting to be anywhere near anyone else and don't want to make the drive all the way there to have to a swift turnabout if the beaches are crowded.

Clearing blue skies herald our approach and the temperature rises, despite making several wrong turns and adding some minutes to the commute and to the atmosphere in the car we eventually arrive at the seaside. Both are busting for a pee, the beach cafe is closed and as I walk towards the loos and see padlocks I fear a trip into the dunes. Tentatively trying the door whilst holding my breath (public loos can hold all manner of surprises) it opens and inside is clean, sigh of relief and then a greater relief.

Strong semi warm wind blows into our faces as we descend on the pebble bank. It is almost void of people only a few near to the entrance to the beach, people don't like to walk far.  The pebble bank is massive, multicoloured rounded treasures, I love looking for special stones and seem to have always liked foraging out that special one. It's not very often I come away from the beach without some little treasure safely tucked in a pocket somewhere. Over the ridge of the bank and down on to a sandy strip left by the outgoing tide, we stride along the beach and marvel at the colour of the sea, if you add a bit more heat into the day and erase the pebbles and shingle from the picture you could be somewhere in the Caribbean it it stunningly beautiful. Walking as far as we can on the beach we sit atop some rocks and drink our coffee whilst listening to the swish of the waves and feel the sun on our faces, until the tide reaches our perch and we have to dash back away from the waves.

Off the beach and out of the wind it is very warm and we stroll along the nature reserve until we hit the sand dunes. Fine soft warm sand trickles inside our shoes it is a very lovely welcome feeling. I don't want to leave here, it is peaceful a different world, natural and soul reviving. Down to earth as the car parking is about to run out and we are hungry.

We cross the river Arun and enter Littlehampton, some parts of it are very lovely and some parts are in need of some TLC. We queue for fish and chips at Oscas. Only 5 people allowed inside at any one time, queue outside once you have placed your order. Not many people here so felt safe, we did toy with the idea of going into a restaurant but neither of us felt right about it anyway you can only eat fish and chips out of the paper sitting outside when at the coast. Ian is hunched over the crispy battered fish fiercely guarding it as the gulls swoop overhead, I don't fancy the gulls chances much.

Feast over we depart Littlehampton and make for Arundel just up the road it has a beautiful castle and is a very pretty town. We pootle about there and visit a dress shop I like, then we have a cup of tea and share a scone before making the drive home which was much less eventful than the drive there. We had a fabulous day and it was like being on holiday.

We were supposed to be in Portugal doing a Trip down the Douro today but as things go this more than made up for it. We have also made plans to come a stay here for a few days when it is safer to do so.