Nicholson’s 2021 Summer Party

It was a very early start for most of us as we had to meet at Haywards Heath Train Station at 8.30am to get a luxury coach to take us to Chapel Down Winery in Kent. It took a good hour to get to the winery, so gave us all a chance to relax and catch up. When we arrived there the sun was shining brightly, it was such a beautiful day. We were given a guided tour of the vineyards with a very knowledgeable host who gave us lots of information about running a successful vineyard in England. We were also shown one of the huge grape pressing machines and were talked through the wine making process. We then had a wine tasting session where we got to try a range of their award-winning sparkling and still wines. Next, we popped into Chapel Down’s shop, and people were able to buy their favourite wine from the tasting session.

Later we were back on the coach for a short time to get to the restaurant. The restaurant was in Camber Sands, at the award winning Gallivant private members restaurant. It was such a beautiful day, we ended up eating outside, rather than the private dining room because the weather was so glorious! We had more wine and then some exquisite food.

After a lovely, long slow lunch with lots of good food and good company we all took a stroll along the beach. The restaurant is just opposite the sand dunes that took us to Camber Sands beach, where the sand is fine and golden, felt like we were on holiday!

At the end of the day, we got back on the coach, even merrier than before, for the 2hr trip back to Haywards Heath! Music playing, people singing, the odd person nodding off to sleep!! As we got closer to the station the weather took a turn for the worst and it started absolutely POURING with rain! When we got off the coach, we had to jump over rivers running down the road and got soaked running into a pub near the station. We then had some more beverages and some bar food before we got back on the train home. Can’t believe how lucky we were with the weather!