The day started with a minor crisis. The coach company had had a breakdown and our coach would be delayed as a result! In the end Phil arrived on time, and we were only 15 minutes late leaving Hayling.
We got out of the coach at the King Alfred statue into light rain and some of us were immediately distracted by the regular street market. When we eventually crossed the Cathedral green to reach the Christmas market, there were plenty of stalls to tempt the jaded Christmas shopper. Peanut butter flavoured with sea salt and black pepper – who knew?
There was also a variety of temptations for snacks, lunch and liquid refreshment, both at the Christmas market and back in the city centre.
Some of us took the opportunity to swerve the crowds, and find peace inside the Cathedral.
The rain finally stopped in early afternoon, but the weather was still a long way from the bright but cold conditions which the forecasters had originally promised.
We all managed to get our bags of shopping back to the coach by 4 p.m.as it was getting dark, and were back in Hayling by 5 p.m.