Laurie Dooley met Richard Earl, Jane Marston Chris Maher, Chris Ray, Heather Lawn, Dave Taylor (with the only Ale Trail tee-shirt) and Malcolm Vernone at Chi Bus Station for the 11:40 54 bus. Stephen Cox had had three buses cancelled in a row so couldn't get to the Bus Station.

Getting off at Pond, it was a short walk to The Victoria Inn, where Brian Legge had already ensconced himself, waiting for us. At Victoria we had the options of Langham Hip-Hop, Harvey's Sussex Best and Flower Pots Gooden's Gold on handpump. Also available in keg was Budweiser Budvar Czech ale and Spud's Favourite (a house Helles lager brewed by Heineken). We all got our Passports stamped. A brilliant sunny day, so we sat outside.

Then the Book-a-bus app said our bus would arrive a few minutes late so we walked up the road to greet it. A very slow drive across country on extremely narrow lanes followed, so we didn't get to the top of the road leading to Royal Oak until nearly 2:00 and after a short walk, into the RO after 2:00 when the kitchen closed. But we were in luck, the staff took pity on us and allowed food orders.

Brian Legge was here again, touting for Membership. Langham Hip-Hop and Alaris and Arundel Castle on offer, but we were given the Ale Trail stamp to do our own Passports. We sat at unlucky Table 13 and Laurie got frantic here because RO is in the lee of the South Downs and the phone signal is appalling, so no update on the Book-a-bus app was possible. Brian drove to the top of the road where the next Book-a-bus was waiting, better signal here so that ride had to be cancelled and a new time arranged.

A fatiguing walk up the hill followed, but we got the bus into Chi, where we immediately made for the Hole in the Wall to get more stamps, then The Bell for even more.