The Isle of Wight

[Daisy]

Yesterday we went on a day-long mystery tour of the Isle of Wight. It was organised by the pensioners' group OH belong to, and we only had to drive a few miles to a pick up point in a nearby town. The coach was very modern and comfortable - the outing was well-supported by members and their OHs so the coach was full. We went by ferry from Southampton to Cowes (famous for its sailing facilities). It took about an hour. From there we got off the coach and used the floating bridge operated by a chain mechanism, over the River Medina to East Cowes and had a wander round East Cowes before meeting the coach again and driving across the island to Totland and the Needles. The Needles is probably the most recognisable landmark on the Island - a row of vertical rocks stretching out into the Solent.

There is usually a small boat doing trips right round the Needles, but it was too rough for that yesterday. However, we love the chairlift down the sheer cliff face and had an exhilarating ride down and back up to the top. By then it was lunch time and we went into the Needles cafe for a welcome hot pasty and a cup of tea.

We then had time to go into the sand shop where we got some packets of various coloured sand and little glass hearts for the GDs to make into ornaments.

Back on the coach, we drove west and then south travelling along a spectacular coastal road. By then the heavy clouds from earlier had cleared and the sea sparkled in the sunshine. We got off the coach again at Shanklin in the south of the Island, and walked along the coastal path/promenade to Sandown. It was about 3 miles and the layers of clothes which were hardly warm enough first thing soon felt too warm! We felt we'd earned our delicious Kelly's ice creams before we got back on the coach.

There were more beautiful views as we made our way through Bembridge and back to Cowes to the ferry. The return crossing was calm with spectacular views of the setting sun over Fawley oil refinery on the mainland.

The coach dropped us off where we started and a 15 minute drive later we were back home, very tired but having had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

[Gemini]

What a lovely day Daisy
And what an adventurous group of pensioners!

I have never been to the Isle of Wight and don't know anything about it.

It all sounds good , but for myself I would have been a bit worried about seasickness. Despite my love of sea swimming I'm not too good ON the water!

[Oma]

That does sound a good day Daisy,
Like Gem I would worry about sea sickness , Im ok on big cruise ships but not small crafts.
I would love to see the needles however they are fascinating.

[Daisy]

Gem and Oma, the ferry crossing is only an hour from Southampton to Cowes and the ferries are well stablalised. Also the Solent is quite protected by the Isle of Wight itself, not open to the rougher water in the Channel. Even better, the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth is only 20 minutes. That's the way we'd usually go and it's nearer for us.

Oma, close up the Needles are very dramatic!

[Lizzie48]

Daisy, that must have been a lovely day out for you all. My neighbours brother lives on the Isle of Wight, she told me that she has visited him there.

[Plantaholic]

Gemini, as Daisy has said the ferry doesn’t go into the open sea so the crossing is fine and not long. It is worth a visit if you are ever down this way.

Daisy, I have a picture on my fridge of my GD and I on that ski-lift. The man at the bottom had to help me off or I would have gone around again.

[Daisy]

Lizzie, a friend of mine and her family moved to the Island some years ago, and gradually all the rest of her extended family - siblings etc - have joined her. They all love it. It's a slower pace of life, but sadly the economy of the island is never very strong.

[Lizzie48]

Daisy, how my neighbours brother ended up there I do not know, he did come back regularly as he has children here, apparently he isn't too well so can't make the journey anymore.

[Clover]

Glad you had an enjoyable day Daisy.That sounds like my ideal day out.
I’ve been to the Isle of Wight once. I remember filling a little lighthouse ornament with stripes of the various colours of sand.

[Daisy]

Daisy, how my neighbours brother ended up there I do not know, he did come back regularly as he has children here, apparently he isn't too well so can't make the journey anymore.

Lizzie, the fact that it IS an island is one of its assets but also a liability, especially for serious medical conditions. If St Mary's hospital in Newport can't handle a case patients have to be transferred to Southampton General. There's a population of about 130,000 spread all over the island and roads are mostly narrow and winding so not easy for emergency ambulances.

Clover, I'm sure you would enjoy it! The coloured sands are a very popular activity, and the different colours are amazing. It's changed quite a lot since I was last at the Needles some years ago, but is still a popular attraction.

Plant, I remember having to jump off the chair lift with GS1 when he was about 3 or 4 - not easy, but I was younger then.

[Sum1Ls]

What a lovely trip. We’ve spent a couple of half term holidays on the Island with DS and family and visited all those places you mentioned. The steam train was a highlight and so were the orchids that were abundant in so many places. We also did a couple of longish walks across Tennyson Down and around Bembridge Windmill.
Some friends of ours did a day trip on Monday to visit Osborne House and had an equally good time, but the day was very long travelling all the way from London.

[Daisy]

Sum1, I've only just seen your post - sorry. It is a very interesting island with a leisurely pace of life. I've been to Osborne House several times, but the most memorable was to see the ballet "Coppelia". We had a reception in Osborne House itself, followed by the ballet in a large marquee. It was mid-summer and the roof of the marquee was blacked out, apart from tiny dots of light which looked like twinkling stars. The magical surroundings added atmosphere to the ballet itself. I can't remember which ballet company it was! And, of course, there was the boat trip there and back to enjoy as well.