ENJOYING A WELL EARNED BREAK IN BOGNOR REGIS

Bit of a deviation from the usual football and horse-racing blogs this week, having the entire week off to try and rest and forget about all other problems. Things are not going too well so it's nice to have this opportunity to head down to the south coast for a few nights. Usually I would head off to Brighton but as I have a good friend down here in Bognor Regis making the detour along the coast and enjoying a few days away seemed like the obvious solution. 
The train is an easy option via Clapham Junction for me and by going down during midweek hopefully won't be too busy, the bad weather seems to have made that a sure thing too. We arrive into the station around lunchtime and make our way into town, while the station is fairly central it's a nice 10-15 min walk down to the beach. Although the station dates back to 1902 and pre-electrification time it's clearly had a face lift since then and still a neat terminus and plenty of sidings with a regular service back to London, Littlehampton and what appears to be a shuttle service up to Barnham for connecting services along the south coast to Portsmouth and Brighton. I can imagine this station being a lot busier back in it's heyday and the regular holiday traffic, in particular the Butlins resort, would see a fair few numbers when the sun is out. 

Staying in a nice looking hotel right on the sea front too. The oddly names Royal Norfolk Hotel, it's surely hundreds of miles off target, has recently been renovated and will be ideal for someone who is not very familiar with the location. Checking in at 4pm though so had a bit of time to pass first fortunately my lovely friend was able to collect us from the station and we can begin to catch up, there is much to catch up on too. Hotel room is fine for a single, and decent quality bathroom is also a nice surprise, while overall the hotel still seems a little dated, it's not that bad, and the receptionists and staff do a wonderful job with a smile. 

After checking in managed to take a stroll along the beach and sea front, not much on the pier and the town is still in need of a lot of renovation but it's clean, the sea looks better than at Brighton down the coast and there are not tons of seagulls stealing your ice cream either. As the sun was out every day the warm sea breeze made us catch the sun and I've not got a bright red shiny head that's still burning up now. 

Was picked up by my friend Sarah, she moved down last year but haven't had the opportunity to see her and the new home. After the tour of the home, and meeting the new 'husband to be' (Graham) who turns out to be a smashing fella, had plenty of time to chill out in the garden. Really peaceful, just a few birds in the sky the occasional light air craft and that's all. 

Lovely time had by all though. 

The return home was a trial of patience and keeping calm, a short formed train of 4 coaches, rammed with Army and Navy going to Twickenham for the Rugby today. Took us about four hours to get home, but all in all that didn't detract to a really fun few days away, I'll be back, initially for the wedding but maybe for another short break...but must pack more sun cream this time.