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Isle of Wight, UK
Please read this with tongue firmly in cheek!
Just returned from an awesome trip to the Isle of Wight. Leaving work in good time and packing the car in double quick time, Steve, Claire and myself left the dog and guinea pigs in the capable hands of Sue our neighbour.
A short 2 hour car journey found us in a wonderful caravan site situated next to a dual carriageway in St leonards near Ringwood. The site staff had gone home for the night leaving us with a map and a key! We found the caravan (eventually) situated under a power line - not as bad the poor souls camping further down. On entering the fridge (sorry the caravan!) we quickly lit the fire and explored the ensuite and huge bedrooms and kitchen.
Leaving shortly afterwards in search of food, we took a wrong turn and ended up at Bournmouth airport - not far from the site and with planes taking off every hour! Finding a nice Ember Inn for tea, I ended up with the best choice pudding - sticky toffee pudding and custard with Claire having the short straw of a rather sickly chocolate fudge cake. Steves favourite lemon meringue pie was a dissapointing second place.
Carvan slighty warmer and with two quilts each, we retired to bed. Traffic and planes notwithstanding we all slept well and were up at the crack of dawn to catch the isle of Wight ferry from Lymington. Stopping at macDonalds on the way for breakfast we were in line at the ferry terminal at 9.00 a.m. I had to change our ticket to include Claire and whilst being served by a nice young man a rather old man released a lot of wind from his system causing a large fit of the giggles all round.
Driving onto the ferry, Claire noticed a sweetcorn fair advertised - we wondered what this was. The ferry was smooth and quick (half an hour) and we landed at yarmouth and turned right towards the Needles. We didnt stay long as the carpark was £4!! Driving round the South Coast were numerous cyclists and runners and the views were stupendous. Surfers were attempting to catch a few waves but we didnt stop to watch.
Claire wanted to visit a donkey sanctuary and as it was free we programmed the sat nav. what a dissapointment. About 50 donkeys in 2 fields and a very tacky souvenier shop. Onwards to ventor - my favourite place on the island - beautiful place and beautiful weather too - hot and sunny. Quick drink and off to the steam train - my choice.
on the way we came across the sweetcorn fair. Finding a carparking space was a task with the local 'lions' hindering and not helping! What a great place - terrier racing, army vehicles, steam engines, plant stalls, BBQ sweetcorn, pin a nose on a cob, wood carving, sweetcorn eating competition, dress up a sweetcorn competition - all very interesting!
Leaving the fair with some reluctance, we made our way to the steam train. Purchasing the tickets we had an hour wait for the train and had lunch while we waited - very nice too! The train was a little tame - only a 7 minute steam up the track and back again!
Onwards to visit a rare breeds farm (Steve's choice) we didnt even get through the gate - the carpark was full of weeds and nothing else (no cars!).
We carried on around the island and returned to yarmouth. claire and I watched a beautiful wedding where the bride and groom left the church in an open top vintage sports car - with the groom complete with goggles. The guests' attire was fantastic designer and the height of the ladies shoes was awesome!
A quick walk along a little wooden pier and watched some people catching mackerel and bream for their tea, we made out way back to the ferry and a 3/4 hour cruise back to Lymington.
Stopping at Sainsburys on the way back for food for tea, we settled down in front of the x factor and the slightly less chilly caravan.
The following morning and after a lie in and a warm shower - followed by a freezing moment getting dressed, we decided to visit Bourmouth.
Travelling through the suburbs and wondering who could afford such massive houses, we debatd the merits of living at the seaside and wondered if you would get fed up of the crowds and traffic in the summer. On Bournmouth beach, the annual lifeguard competition was taking place. we watched a couple of heats involving dinghys and rescuing people from the sea, before taking the 'lift' to the top of the cliff. We explored the gardens and admired the birds in the aviaries, listened to the band play and fed the squirrels.
We moved onto Poole for a walk along the quay and some fish and chips for lunch. We all enjoyed feeding the starlings and pigeons until the seagulls joined in!
Making our way back home, we were going to stop at Blandford or Shaftesbury or Warminster, but decided against this and got home by mid afternoon for a rapturous welcome from Misty, Curly and Fudge.
A wonderful adventure on the Isle of Wight without the use of a passport!
- comments
Claire Excellent blog Mum - I feel you highlighted the events of the weekend to perfection. Who needs to travel the World when you have everything on your doorstep. Donkey Sancturary - massive let down...
Nick Bennett Awww, I am so jealous... (Sarcasm noted!) But in all seriousness, good to see you lot aren't staying cooped up (quite literally) in the Bennetts household. Now you lot just need to get over the 'fear' of flying and get going abroad - I stick to my suggestion of a weekend in Rome or Prague!!! Nick x
Cathie Walsh Enjoyed your blog, remember with regard to the old man in the ferry queue you too will be old one day!!!!!