We were up early this morning – we had a lot on our itinerary! We said goodbye to Highfield Cottage in Winchester and headed south. We stopped at Southampton to tour the Jane Austen sites that were relevant in her life after her father died. For a while, Jane, her sister and her mother lived with her brother and sister-in-law in Southampton. The house has since been demolished, but we were able to go to the Dolphin Hotel where she attended parties. We were brave and asked to see the old ballrooms! Around the medieval castle walls there were plaques about different places Jane would have gone. We also walked by the Titanic Museum – the ship did leave from Southampton - but didn’t have time to stop. Then it was on to Netley Abby and our first time in days to get lost – but that sucker was hard to find. Eventually we did find it and enjoyed the Abbey’s ruins. Jane Austen often visited the Abbey during her stay in Southampton – it is speculated that she drew some inspiration from it for Northanger Abbey. Our next stop of the day was Portsmouth. Jane Austen used Portsmouth in Mansfield Park as the home of Fanny Price’s family. O
n the way to Portsmouth, Daughter 1 saw a ferry liner to the Isle of Wright, so we said why not! So it was the first totally unplanned activity of the trip. We went to the ferry and bought tickets to the Isle of Wright! We had a great time! We rode a cute little train/trolley down the coast line to a café. We ate a yummy lunch sitting outside overlooking the water – it was another beautiful day! Then we walked 1.5 miles back to the ferry station, taking our time along the way. They were having a European food festival on the beach so we had to try some of the chocolate crepes for dessert! Once we were back in Portsmouth we went to the historic do
ckyards, just in time to be told we were too late! Just our luck! We did go and walk the old city walls and go up into the towers that were used for protecting the city. Exhausted, we headed to Bognor Regis – our stop for the night. This is a fun “tourist” town. Our hotel, The Royal Norfolk Hotel, is right on the water with great views of the beach. The hotel was built in the 1830’s for important guests visiting this area. After a quick sit down, we headed out for a late dinner. We walked home via the pebble beach, but were happy the tide was out so we could walk out on the wet sand. We had a great time taking pictures on the way home. Here the sun rises each morning at 5 and it is finally dark at 9:45 – this makes for long days – but we are grateful we can pack so many activities in! It is with great sorrow that tomorrow we say goodbye to the countryside and head towards London.
n the way to Portsmouth, Daughter 1 saw a ferry liner to the Isle of Wright, so we said why not! So it was the first totally unplanned activity of the trip. We went to the ferry and bought tickets to the Isle of Wright! We had a great time! We rode a cute little train/trolley down the coast line to a café. We ate a yummy lunch sitting outside overlooking the water – it was another beautiful day! Then we walked 1.5 miles back to the ferry station, taking our time along the way. They were having a European food festival on the beach so we had to try some of the chocolate crepes for dessert! Once we were back in Portsmouth we went to the historic do
ckyards, just in time to be told we were too late! Just our luck! We did go and walk the old city walls and go up into the towers that were used for protecting the city. Exhausted, we headed to Bognor Regis – our stop for the night. This is a fun “tourist” town. Our hotel, The Royal Norfolk Hotel, is right on the water with great views of the beach. The hotel was built in the 1830’s for important guests visiting this area. After a quick sit down, we headed out for a late dinner. We walked home via the pebble beach, but were happy the tide was out so we could walk out on the wet sand. We had a great time taking pictures on the way home. Here the sun rises each morning at 5 and it is finally dark at 9:45 – this makes for long days – but we are grateful we can pack so many activities in! It is with great sorrow that tomorrow we say goodbye to the countryside and head towards London. 
1 comment:
Wow - this is a really long trip. Aren't you two lucky. Sounds like you're having a great time. I love seeing the pictures of you two at many of the places that you're seeing.
Lisa
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