Tuesday 10th September

Running round town today, doing my errands, a yellow light came on my dashboard.  I thought it was telling me I needed oil or water, but Terry said it was a computer code, and to take it in in the morning so he can look it up and see what it is indicating.   Since when have cars become so computerised?   I thought they just broke down when something went wrong.   I hope it is not the $600 deal he warned me about a little while ago, or I might join the ranks of little old ladies who just stay at home and have meals on wheels delivered.

That will teach me to go running off on expeditions into other states.

I was thinking last night that is says something about the roads here that one can do a 300 mile trip in an afternoon;  that's like driving from Seaford to Lands End - that's 310 miles.

Just when I thought this rubbish couldn't get any worse.    I wonder what this tabloid has got against Camilla that it conducts this hate campaign against her. 

I got to the Pool about 7.30 this evening and there were quite a few children splashing in the walkway.  I debated whether to go in, but I was glad I did.  I got in the hot tub first, then the children's water attractions are turned off at 8 anyway, so I have the pool to myself for the last half  hour. I have to say American children are very courteous, if they think they are annoying you they apologise.

In preparation for my little presentation on Alfriston I was looking at smuggling, and it was very interesting.  Stanton Collins, the ringleader of the Alfriston smugglers, was deported to Australia - for sheep stealing.   I think he had too much cooperation from the local population to get caught by the excise men for smuggling.   The economy was in such dire straits that the local agricultural workers needed to supplement their incomes, and smuggling was a major industry.   3000 gallons of wine and spirits could be brought in on one trip.

The Smugglers Inn was originally the home of Stanton Collins.