Del Arun in Arundel: a postscript

I finally sold my house last week – many thanks to the always-cheerful folk at Glyn Jones & Co – which means it’s time for my alter ego of Del Arun to fade away into the sunset. Mind you, I’m not saying goodbye to Arundel completely; I can’t resist the Gallery Trail during the festival or Corpus Christi at the Cathedral… and I still haven’t been to a cricket match in town.

Anyway, thanks for reading and for your comments & support. If you’re curious about what happens next, you’ll find the ‘real me’ online at markbridge.info

Time to call it a day, Del

My house sale didn't happen because the buyer wanted to negotiate a substantial discount - and I didn't want to offer one. Well, that's not strictly true. I didn't want to offer another discount.

So I've found a tenant and have become an accidental landlord. Surprisingly quickly, too. Apparently there aren't many little houses to let in the middle of Arundel. And I've moved into my girlfriend's place, which is over the border in East Sussex. It's not very different from West Sussex, although my mum thinks there's a military checkpoint on the county line and we all drive Trabants here. (Given my history with cars, a Trabant wouldn't be a bad idea. But, as usual, I digress).

All this means I think it's probably time for me to say goodbye to Del Arun, what with me not being an Arundel resident any more. I'll still be reading my favourite PurpleCoo blogs but 'Del Arun' is taking a break. Thanks for all your support. Really - thank you.

Mind you, this doesn't mean that I won't ever blog again. I'll let you know what happens next!

Back to Square One

Anyone who's been watching the progress of my house sale - myself included - will have been getting increasingly concerned over the last few weeks. Well, pretty much as anticipated, the sale's fallen through. My buyer attempted a spot of last-minute gazundering (although the amount she wanted reduced from the asking price was hardly a 'spot') which wasn't acceptable. Neither morally nor financially, some would say. Still, there's also good news in Arundel. The baker shop has re-opened: it's now "The Baker Girls" and is staffed by a couple of lovely ladies who insist on offering free samples of their cakes.

What, you still 'ere?

Yes, I’m still here. This house-selling thing has moved beyond frustration into resignation. With any luck I’ll sell the house this month, although my buyer’s on holiday at the moment. I think my estate agent is the one who really needs a holiday…

Wholesale baking leaves a hole

Once again, the bakers in Arundel is closing. East West Bakery has been running the place for just over a year but is closing on Saturday 31st May to concentrate on wholesale baking. Which, as I've mentioned before, doesn't leave Arundel devoid of locally-baked bread... but it's still a shame.

Corpus Christi

As you walk up London Road, choral music fills the air. It's not coming directly from Arundel's Roman Catholic cathedral; instead it's being broadcast from a string of loudspeakers hanging from lamp-posts to entertain a small crowd. "Hallelujah, sing to Jesus...", the disembodied voices urge.

This is Corpus Christi: a celebration of the Holy Communion ceremony. It remembers the original breaking of bread and sharing of wine before the crucifixion of Jesus. In Arundel, a town that's known to many tourists for its castle and cream teas, the Corpus Christi celebration sees the town’s gothic-styled church – officially the Cathedral of our Lady and St Philip Howard - carpeted with floral decorations for two days. The celebrations come to a climax on Thursday evening with a church service and a procession through the streets.

After a final blessing, the singing turns to amplified shuffling before a collection of clergy, choir and congregation leave the flower-carpeted church. Following a crucifix and an assortment of celebratory banners, hundreds of people march with the Blessed Sacrament to Arundel Castle... before returning to the cathedral, where the now trampled-on flower carpet is soon swept up.

Slowly but surely

I’m still here in Arundel. As is the “For Sale” sign outside my house. But things are moving in the right direction. I have a potential buyer who’s not part of a chain, who’s arranged a mortgage… and whose mortgage company surveyor came to visit this week.

I’m starting to think about the things I’ll miss – although, to be honest, I’ll still be in a position to see most of them anyway. The Corpus Christi flowers, for example, which will be covering the floor of Arundel Cathedral next week. The Arundel Festival, scheduled for the end of August. And walks down the river to the Black Rabbit.

There’s also plenty of excitement ahead, too – so stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment from Del Arun!

Still standing

Well, my house still isn't sold. It's all a bit frustrating but at least I'm not part of a chain. I blame the property market, the weather and the slightly mercenary streak I have. Meanwhile I shall keep tidying the garden, vacuuming muddy footprints off the carpet and baking unnecessary loaves of bread. (Okay, I made the last one up!)

Arundal?

Top tip: double-check the name of your destination before printing the posters.

Arundel Museum

Arundel's museum on the High Street closed at the end of last year; the lease expired and the building has been sold. The current building doesn't have much gravitas...