We started our journey to the Arundel Fair at 2pm and we must qualify for the Guinness Book of Records because we didn't arrive until 11.30pm. The traffic jams were endless and we used a map that we had printed off the computer. It led us everywhere and we lost our way. We only stopped twice on the journey to eat and on one stop Keith bought me a huge soft dog with floppy ears and I kept hugging it and pretending it was Robbie. We had booked adjoining rooms at the hotel and when we did 'eventually' arrive there had been some kind of mix up and they only had one room. Keith asked at reception about this and they gave him another room but it was nowhere near me. The next day the person who had very kindly given Keith the room because it was there mistake had got into trouble with his manager. The manager asked to speak to Keith and told him he would have to pay for another room and keith refused because we had already paid. It isn't easy trying to sort a problem when all the staff are foreign and can hardly understand what you are trying to get over to them. All this didn't give us a very good start to the weekend ahead.

Later that day we made our way to see David, Russell and Hayley at C&S Collectables and then we began to enjoy ourselves. They made us feel extremely welcome and had made a small buffet for everyone which was a lovely unexpected surprise. We chatted with them for awhile and other people and then we decided to drive into Arundel town centre to have a look around. There were several craft shows being held in the castle by the Sussex Guild so that was like a magnet to me. I wanted to buy everything! but I had to be careful what I spent because I didn't know how much money I would need for the Wade fair the next day. On the Saturday night we went back to C&S for a fantastic buffet and barbecue, the food was delicious. At one point we thought we were on fire because the barbecue had to be done inside the marquee due to the rain(ha ha) There were tea-lights on each table which created a nice atmosphere. Jenny Wright from Wade Ceramics organised a quiz and David called the numbers for the bingo. That was fun, he is a lovely person and makes me laugh. The goodie bags were then given out and the pearl lustre Great Dane whimsies and I won Mr Bump in the word search.

Just when I thought all the excitement was over Jenny asked everyone to be quiet and I wondered what was going to happen next. Keith then got down on one knee and proposed to me. It was very quiet until I said yes and then everyone clapped and cheered. It was a lovely moment, one that I will cherish forever. I was embarrassed to say the least but Keith had made me very happy. Jenny then took a photograph, I hope it turns out well. Another lady named Caroline also took a photograph when Keith gave me a kiss. I was completely overwhelmed and still couldn't believe what had happened. I just kept looking at this beautiful ring and I joking with Keith saying I wasn't sure if the ring was genuine as I couldn't find the Wade England stamp on it(lol) Lots of people asked me to show them the ring and saying what a lovely thing that Keith had done. Keith had also bought a Prince Charming that he gave to me with my engagement ring.

All through the night it rained very heavily and the next day the fair had to be relocated from the big marquee to the smaller one at C&S because the field had flooded. It was a real shame because all the sellers understandably hadn't turned up due to the weather. Perhaps it was just as well because we were like squashed sardines inside the marquee. Unfortunately we didn't manage to get any photographs of the actual fair because there was no room to take them. Every year there has been lovely weather for this event and the one time we manage to go it floods! Nevertheless, Jenny David and Russell made it a fantastic event and made us feel very special. One extremely kind lady named Kath Golding won a Wade handmade black Horse Head Ltd Ed 20 in the C&S raffle and she gave it to us as an engagement gift. I have put a photograph of it on the slideshow. It was lovely to meet Ben Dawson again. Keith bought me a Betty Boop wall plaque and a seal corkscrew from Ben and a white gold nosed hedgehog for himself. Keith also bought a baby prototype hedgehog from C&S. I bought four Betty Boops, a Jet-Set Gingie Bear, Snoopy Set, Library Bear, American PA Bear, Puss In Boots Money Bank. I was also really pleased because bought a copy of The World of Wade Ireland. Keith had a grin like a Cheshire Cat because he got the gold Cocktail Felix in the bran tub. It has a gold bow-tie and a gold cocktail glass.

We also took a trip into Brighton one night. The pier looked lovely, completely lit up in lights but once again the rain stopped any photographs. We said our goodbyes to everyone on the Sunday and luckily David gave us different directions to head home. We started back at 1pm and stopped once for a meal and we arrived home at 7pm. That was alot better than the time it took to get there. We both got very upset when we opened the front door and there was an empty space where Robbie usually lay. It will 'never' be the same without him and we love and miss him 'so' much. We are now both looking forward to the Dunstable Fair but will have to start saving our money again. We hope you have enjoyed reading this and would like to say a big thank you to Jenny, David, Russell, Hayley and everyone else who gave us both a wonderful time. After the event my mum bought one of the white Arundel Doves as an engagement gift and we thought it was a lovely gesture to remind us of this very special occasion. Janice and Keith