Month: March 2024

Despite being famished, before stopping at The Pass for a burger, I wandered up to Charlie Harpers to see what they were offering on their specials board.

[Edit] 11/05/2020 There has been a change of Chef at Charlie Harpers and with it the menu. Lunch is more quiche, pasta and chicken with cream teas, a little later in the day. Still good but different. 

Crispy belly of pork served with black pudding mash, apple cider and thyme jus, green beans and bacon.

More than enough to get me to a table and take out the newspaper.

Charlie Harpers is one of the best casual day restaurants in Chichester. Their specials board always offers something of interest at very affordable prices.

But it’s the Mexican burger at the Pass Street Food Cafe that I do more often than not. It is a rare pleasure to be served something bursting with flavour that needs no seasoning.

Again value for money.

The only restaurant where I order a burger. They also do a monthly special which is always ‘different’.

These two along with and De Levante in St Pancras are worth trying as is Crispins, St Martins Coffee and Common Grounds.

 

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I cycled out past Maudlin, Strettington and Westerton along quiet country roads. Quiet until I hit Clay Pit Lane and all the traffic out for a Sunday drive.

The attraction was the Goodwood motor racing circuit which is a destination for the breakfast/brunch riders.

As well as those out for a day drive.

The event was the ‘Breakfast Club’ which is a semi regular free to enter, and open-to-all gathering of drivers and riders who come to view each other’s cars and bikes etc. Each meeting is themed with striking examples of the days theme paraded on the start finish straight. It is held on five Sundays across the event season at Goodwood, on the first Sunday of the month, with breaks during Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival.

Goodwood Circuit is a historic venue for both two- and four-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. The 3.8 kilometres circuit is situated on the estate of Goodwood House, and completely encircles Chichester Goodwood Aerodrome. It became famous for its Glover Trophy non-championship Formula One race, Goodwood Nine Hours sports car endurance and the Tourist Trophy sports car race.

The last race meeting was held at the track in 1966, because the owners did not want to modify it with chicanes to control the increased speeds of modern racing cars.

The two main events hosted at Goodwood are the annual Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival events.

The Festival of Speed is an annual hill climb, held in late June or early July. But not at the circuit. It is held in the grounds of Goodwood House featuring historic and modern motor-racing vehicles.

Following the success of the hill climb, racing returned to the Goodwood circuit in 1998. The Goodwood Revival is a three-day festival held each September for the types of cars and motorcycles that would have competed during the circuit’s original period, 1948–1966. Historic aircraft help to complete the vintage feel. Nearly everyone dresses up in vintage outfit from mods and rockers to racing drivers and just smart period clothes.

The track is now used for classic races, track days, and try-out days.

Tucked away behind the Cathedral are the Bishops Palace Gardens

 

Two thousand years ago the Romans built a wall for defensive purposes around the city which is still largely intact. The Cathedrals Historic Quarter lies in the south-west quadrant and the gardens date back to 1147.

Contained within the city walls with the inspiring backdrop of the Cathedral and its spire it offers both residents and visitors an opportunity to relax and unwind.

There is a 16th century gateway off South Street into Canon Lane which gives access to the Bishop’s Palace and gardens.

St Richard’s Walk leads off the Lane to the Cathedral with a view of the Deanery which was built in 1725. It replaced the original Deanery which was damaged in the English Civil War.

Vicars’ Close with the remaining four houses of twelve which once housed the vicars’ choral, leads to the Vicars’ Hall. Originally there was another row opposite, but these were turned into shops facing out into South Street in 1825.

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How does one get a job as a multi-drop driver in Chichester?  The answer is with difficulty.

Like most things, it is not as straight forward as it could be.  Most drivers jobs are based in Southampton, Portsmouth and Littlehampton servicing the Amazon distribution centres .  Although Milk and More do advertise and there should be jobs delivering for the local supermarkets. But I have never managed to get a response from Milk and More and every advert I have replied to ends up at Amazon.

I used to do breakfast at Lakes Traditional English Cafe.

But they have sold and the shop is being refurbished. Stuck for choice, I eventually ended up in the other end of town, at Charlie Harpers.

I didn’t feel like a traditional breakfast and decided on the Black Pudding Hash.  Something I will do again as it was that good. They also offer Rooibos.

 

A well cooked, as opposed to a well done steak is difficult to find. However the steak I was served at Woodies is worth going back to for another look see.

Nothing particularly special about it.

Other than it being well seasoned, well cooked and well prepared. And besides the tomato, perched proudly over the accompanying mushroom. Suspect it had something to do with it being infused with Gin or possibly Vodka.

The Apple Cheesecake Crumble which followed was as good, if not better than my well prepared steak. A most enjoyable meal.

 

Chichester is a cathedral city with a rich history and culture. The remains of the original Roman town have been carefully preserved as well as the listed buildings that grew up within the ancient city walls of this important market town.

The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside in the foothills of the South Downs to the North and in the South the Chichester Harbour Conservancy and Manhood peninsula.

Centrally situated in West, the city provides excellent road and public transport connections to London and the South Coast

There are a number of excellent state and private schools as well as the Chichester College. The University of Chichester offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and is one of the top universities in the UK.

The Chichester Harbour Conservancy is an area of outstanding natural beauty full of wildlife and activities to suit all ages and abilities. Boating and sailing are popular with a host of local yacht clubs and sailing courses available. Walking paths around the harbour, shoreline, saltmarsh and mudflats showcase the sea bird habitat. The coastal path at East Head adjoins the famous Blue Flag award winning West Wittering beach.

Only a short walk from the town centre, the canal is a pleasant place to spend time hiring a rowing boat, booking into an organised canal boat tour, canoeing, fishing or walking. Chichester also has plenty of sporting clubs covering everything from cricket, football and golf to martial arts, swimming and hockey.

Good food is easy to find in the city, with many pubs, restaurants, cafes , bars and takeaway shops. Whether its Indian cuisine at Masala City, Turkish delicacies at Reina Kitchen or tantalising tapas at Viento De Levante, there is no shortage of superb restaurants providing food from around the world. Venturing out of the town to eat presents the opportunity to visit a cosy country pub with traditional food and real ale.

North, South, East and West Streets around the city’s market cross is the main shopping areas. These streets host popular high street brands and independent stores where you can buy fashion, books and gifts. There is also the modern Portfield supermarket and retail shopping complex.

A farmer’s market is held twice a month offering produce that traders must grow, rear or bake themselves within a 30-mile radius of the city.

Dating back to early Roman times the city is steeped in history and has a rich in culture. With its Victorian spire, original Norman features and striking stain glass windows the Cathedral is over 900-year-old. There are free guided tours for anyone interested in the medieval carvings, tapestries, tombs and cloisters. Situated within the City Walls, next to the Cathedral is a peaceful retreat for all to enjoy. The Bishop’s Palace Garden is maintained by the Council, together with the Friends of Bishop’s Palace Garden who have worked closely with the council to develop the project. New planting, improved access, and the creation of a wildlife friendly area are all included within the project. Water features, seating and a pergola walk have also been introduced.

Large-scale musical and theatrical productions take place at the Chichester Festival Theatre which is recognised nationally. The Pallant House Gallery houses modern art inside a listed early 18th century building. A fine collection of Modern British Art by Lucien Freud, Henry Moore and Peter Blake is on show as well as temporary visiting exhibitions that showcase national, international and contemporary art.

The Goodwood Estate provides fantastic entertainment and events throughout the year. It has a race course, organic farm, four restaurants, two 18-hole golf courses, The Kennels private members’ club, an aerodrome, a health club and a hotel. The most prestigious events held at Goodwood are the famous Festival of Speed, held over 3 days to celebrate motor racing, and the Qatar Goodwood Festival, 5-days of thrilling horse racing action.

Where can one find a cell phone charging point? A question that gets asked more times than there are answers.

I have started driving for Deliveroo.

The app one uses to fulfill the orders drains my battery and I am looking. Not only for a charging point I can use, I also need free parking. Somewhere I can sit, read a newspaper and wait.