http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/south-east-england/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/south-east-england/the-river-mild-take-a-calm-cruise-on-the-thames-949537.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/south-east-england/the-river-mild-take-a-calm-cruise-on-the-thames-949537.html ]]> <p> The humpback bridge was certainly standing a century-and-a-quarter ago, emerging then as now from the profusion of branches and reeds to leap across the Thames and connect Oxfordshire with Berkshire. The traffic today is about as light as it was when Sonning Bridge was described as, "The most fairy-like nook on the whole river" by Jerome K Jerome in his marvellous maritime tale of the Thames, Three Men in a Boat. In the 21st century, though, Two People in a Hotel Boat is the way to see England's longest river. </p> South East England Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:03:07 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/south-east-england/portsmouth-raise-a-toast-to-the-coast-949530.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/south-east-england/portsmouth-raise-a-toast-to-the-coast-949530.html ]]> <p> It's hard not to feel smug when it's a glorious autumn day and your train is pulling out of London headed for the coast. The Thames may glitter prettily, the parks may be magisterial this Sunday morning. But while your neighbours dutifully attend a farmers' market in a primary school playground you, lucky thing, are going to a farmers' market by the sea – in Portsmouth, new foodie capital of the south coast. </p> South East England Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:01:18 +0100