Poetry Emotion: Goodbye Chichester!

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war,

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea,

Which serves it in the office of a wall,

Or as a moat defensive to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England

                                                                                  — Shakespeare, Richard II

That may be overstating it a bit.

Still.

Chichester

My last morning in Chichester, here in the south of England. In an hour or so I'll head home, put the bedclothes currently in the washer/dryer back on the bed, finishing packing my suitcases, vacuum behind me as I back out the door, and head out to the Chichester train station, then the slightly awkward three-hour journey (with two transfers, with two suitcases and a back-pack) up to my hotel near the Luton airport. I'll have a lazy evening there, then another lazy morning tomorrow, before finally finally getting on an airplane back to Prague.

So goodbye to Chichester. My friend David's parents graciously invited me to stay at their beautiful two-bedroom flat in this lovely little town for the past two weeks, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Morning coffee and some work each day at Caffe Nero (one of the only places open at 6:30 am).  Afternoon runs up to and around Priory Park. Meeting up (four times!) with Oliver from nearby Portsmouth for challenging tennis. Occasional visits to The Old Cross pub for a pint or to watch a football game. Shopping for groceries at Marks & Spencer, or for clothes at FatFace and White Stuff. 

Watching episodes of the old British The Avengers show my Dad first introduced me to back in the 1970s.

Mrs. Peel — We're needed!

A long walk up to and around the Brandy Hole Copse nature reserve. Walking around town in the shadow of Chichester Cathedral. Finding the local bookstore, going in for one book, coming out with four. Buying fresh vegetables at the Wednesday farmer's market. Discovering The Park Tavern, stopping there for a small beer while I work. 

Park Tavern patrons taking their pints to the sunny side of the street

It was all great. Well, almost. There were some disappointments ...

It hasn't been the complete English experience, of course

Still. I'm reminded of William Carlos Williams, who famously called out the value of the unexceptionally simple. Or perhaps the exceptionally simple.

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white chickens

                                                                                 —"XXII", William Carlos Williams

That's the way I feel about these last two simple, easy, relaxed, calming, important, beautiful, green, and calming weeks in Chichester. 

Oh, and calming.

Anyway, great thanks to the Goodwins for allowing me to conclude this unusual three-month exile in such a wonderful way. Today: Up to Luton airport. Tomorrow: Home.