Bosham

This little village is one of the prettiest villages just around the corner from us! With loads of interesting places and stories, too.
Just for clarification (because I always got it wrong in the beginning and the locals are fairly pernicular about the pronunciation of the name): it is pronounced like Bozzum and not like Bosh-ham!

Bosham Church

You can read a bit about the history of the church on the church's website.

(Ian and Elna)

View of church from harbour (Retha)

The 12th Century font (Retha)

Gravestones in churchyard (Retha)

It is said that the knights of the old days, when they returned from the Holy Wars, landed at Bosham and their first stop would be at Bosham Church. It would be unheard of to bring a sharp sword into the church but equally unheard of to leave the swords outside. So they would blunt their swords on the doorposts of the church door. The crosses carved in the stone can still be clearly seen.

(Ian and Elna)

The Green

One of the most beautiful trees grows on the green in Bosham. The green overlooks the harbour (or I guess if you want to be technical it is a 'hoe' or another technical marine term. It is not quite the open sea and has lots of sail boats in it, so to me it is a harbour!) and makes for some lovely views and photos.

The beautiful tree

View towards the harbour from beneath the tree

Some boats... pretty.

A different view of the harbour

Canal between the church and the green

An interesting thing about Bosham is that it has a road that floods each high tide. Yes, the water rises deep over the road and if you left your car there and forgot about the tide, you will find it floating in the Bosham Hoe! If you don't believe me, watch this video.

The warning sign, on dry land during low tide

The same sign under water at high(er) tide (Ian and Elna)

Sometimes the high tide goes up high enough to flood the second road too. The houses have flood protection to the doors. Here I am standing by the door of one of the houses where you can see the flood wall.

(Devirani)

Along this same road there is walkway (for when it is high tide) with houses facing the sea. I do believe you pay through your nose for one of these (or for one anywhere in Bosham!). But they have lovelyy gardens.

Odds and ends

My dad was very amused to find this sign in a rural village car park!
And in pretty Bosham of all places...

Thatched roof with pretty edging.

The old Mill (now Yachting Club House)

Chichester

It has been ages since I've 'blogged'... I thought this might be a chance to reminisce a bit about the lovely area that we live in. So I am slightly changing tack on my previous (and fortunately long forgotten) blogs.

What is on offer in our lovely city of Chichester? Well, plenty!

The Cross

The main meeting point in Chi is The Cross. As Chi has 4 main roads (North, South, East and West) that cross each other more or less in the middle of Chi, it makes sense to meet there!

Chichester Market Cross 2006

The Cross was built around 1501. Bishop Story paid £10 for the land it is built on. I have heard that he was fed up with the women of the city trading in the cathedral or on the grounds and built the cross to give them their own place to trade from.

Chichester Cathredral

Read more about the Cathedral in the blog 'Chichester Cathedral'.

Every 'tour' of Chi I've taken friends and family on, have included the Cathedral!

View of the cathedral from city walls (Ian and Elna)

Over the fields from Hunston

Building work on the cathedral started in 1076 and it was only in 1108 that Bishop Luffa was able to dedicate the building.
One thing that I find fascinating is that the spire had collapsed in 1861 and had to be rebuilt (completed in 1866).

The cathedral is a real treasure trove. Many pieces of art have been commissioned over the years. Here are some...

Miserichords (choir stalls)
As the choir members rest their bum on these, they often depict
monsters and demons or things that deserve disrespect!

The famous Chagall window

John Piper tapestry

'Do not touch me' painting
Apparently a lady objected to a painting of Mary Magdeline in the  church
and stuck her umbrella through the painting (the brown dot at the
bottom of the stairs, left)

The Bishop's Garden is beautiful and enclosed by the original walls around the city.

The walls

It is possible to walk around the city mostly on the original walls that were built in the Roman times.

Walls by Priory Park (Retha)

(Ian and Elna)

Priory Park

Another favourite place to visit,

View of cathedral, Guildhall and old castle (motte & bailey) from the walls

A spot of cricket, featuring DS and walls in background

A Medieval Festival in Priory Park with reenactments...

Heavy chain mail!

Other stuff

A few of the other interesting things Chi has to offer.

The original Shippams sign (Retha)

Old Cross Pub (Retha)

Used to be the MacciD's. Now Next. (Retha)

The Swallow Bakery has the best cupcakes in the world! (Retha)

Clarks shop sign (Retha)

Memorial Garden (Retha)

(Retha)