Isle of Wight Part One (East Wight)

Crossing the Solent from Lymington feels so much more pleasant and leisurely than Southampton, though I think we’d both have preferred to be headed to Calais and south through France again though. Hopefully later given Boris’s unlocking plans..

That said we enjoy the IoW and at least you do get a sense of overseas travel taking the ferry. It’s not cheap to get over though and, for me, the hold the operators have on pricing puts me off looking to move here, something we’ve considered. Prices have escalated over recent years in the prime spots, conversely the Island has areas less desirable (recreational drug enjoyment evident by the unmistakable odour wafting by as the Suburus scoot by)

The sun shone on the Friday for the journey and settling ourselves in at Southland CAMC club site at Newchurch, another favourite. A stroll down to the nearby Red Squirrel cycle track precluded a necessary pub stop at the Pointer which is conveniently nearby up a hill to justify refreshments.

Saturday was the day of the round island yacht race, I think 1500 boats starting from Cowes in waves from 6:30. We took the bikes out with the intention of the climb up Culver Down to a great vantage point, this turned out pointless as it happened as the cloudy day meant the hill was not visible. Changing the plan we headed out toward St Helen/Node Point via Bembridge, a route we’ve often walked. By the time we got to the beach the mist had cleared, blue skies and sunny so we spent an enjoyable hour watching the boats go by, and inhaling some more weed. Note to self not to camp at Node Point. Back in time for pre match drinks and dinner before the game England 4 Ukraine 0, onto the semifinals with Denmark on Wednesday. Another Column of Victory story hopefully,

Took the much repeated, but nonetheless enjoyable circular walk from the site down quiet lanes and footpaths (complete with a ghost dog following us) to the small, light aircraft, airport on Sunday. Obligated to stop for coffee and watch the world go by as is the tradition. Something about the place we like, nice just to watch planes come and go. Felt a bit out of place tbh as there was a “Scoobfest” in the next field, just turned my cap round and we were fine.

From there a wonder through the streets to Shanklin and a pleasant lunch stop in the gardens on the cliff near the Chine, again as has become a ritual. Raining! Met a chap from Ockbrook bizarrely, told us about the Goth hotel we sat by; no masks allowed and no “cultists” says their chalk sign. They’ve had

free publicity in the local papers; but given the announcement today Boris had buggered their business planStrange place. Walk progresses along Shanklin to Sandown prom, a nice stretch with dogs allowed on the beach and the tide was out; so Daisy was a happy pooch! Sandown has definitely been hit by Covid, was never great to be fair and we’re not keen on it but shame to see it declining more.

Monday saw incoming heavy rain, strong winds and a storm forecast forecast for the evening and into Tuesday so we decided on a bike ride whilst dry during the bulk of the day. We did just under 50 km following the Red Squirrel trail into Newport and then onto Cowes. From there the route follows the coast to Gunard, very pleasant and some upmarket beach huts along this stretch. Diverting inland then into Parkhurst Forest, with its network of off-road tracks where we inevitably got lost and went off piste through some muddy tracks, bypassing a prison stay.

Daisy dog received many oohs and aahs perched proudly in her Buddyrider again, even having her photo taken.

Tuesday is probably best forgotten, after a stormy Monday night we surfaced at 10:30, just in time for PopMaster, went shopping (beer, wine and rum smashing our allowance). Having lunch when Steve Wright is on, tells the story that (a) we got up to late and spent too long in Morrison’s and (b) I

listen to Radio 2. Nice circular walk in the afternoon, 7 miles to Rookley via many many muddy paths across pleasant arable land and acres of tomatoe greenhouses and mushroom growers.

Super 17km ramble on the Wednesday, with my constant reminders to Mrs H that we need to be back in time for a certain match this evening. A stiff climb up to Brading Common where there’s a lovely view over to Portsmouth and south across Sandown Bay. From Brading there’s a lovely path across to Bembridge windmill, coffee stop at Bembridge then the coast path back to Sandown via Culver Down with great views. A bus was caught to get us back in time for domestics and the game. 2-1 v Denmark, first final for 55 years. Post match day was a pleasant lazy one, sunshine was forecast but didn’t amount to much. Afternoon stroll to check out a CL at Alverston Ponds, one for the future. Friendly owner happy to chat and show us round. Daisy promptly threw up at her feet as we chatted, which was nice

Friday we took a bus to Ryde, to retrace a section of the coast path we’ve enjoyed before, to Bembridge. Easy walking but very scenic, lunch in Seaview chatting to a lady from Surrey who owned a second home there, course she did; it’s that sort of place. Serious cash here, bit pretentious. The beaches are very Mediterranean looking in the sunshine with blue seas and almost white sand. Facebook photos look impressive. The path we used to use through the woods hugging the cliff above Priory Beach has declined and was very very muddy and no longer used for the coastal path. As we negotiated this quagmire literally up to our ankles in mud in our walking boots and glad of our sticks we heard voices in the trees and were staggered to meet a couple carrying beach chairs, wearing flip flops and asking how to get to the beach. We had to abandon our search for a safe way down as we’d missed the steps onto the sand which is best accessible from the north end of the pretty bay.

Another section ticked off on Saturday from Shalfleet to East Cowes, returning over the floating bridge to fill in a missed section from last year near Queen Vic’s place. Drama on the bus as I left my phone on the number 8, helpful bus driver found it for us. Largely uneventful otherwise but had to contend with a few miles of dangerous road walking as the coast is not accessible then several miles of muddy path. Route takes you through Thorness Bay caravan park, which frankly is a shithole, each to there own. Later on the path we walked through Gurnard Bay with its £1m “beach huts”; very nice and a bit of a contrast.

Good to bump into an old work colleague from Balfours on the seafront at Shanklin on our usual well trodden circuit via the Airport and back by the trail. Happy travels Wally! Sunday night saw England lose to some unusual penalties, it has to be said, in the finals to Italy, enjoyed the first few minutes then edge of seats for the rest. Great tournament though, some achievement for the best England side I can remember. I was a one year old in 1966.

Our last day at Newchurch before moving was filled with a bike ride into Newport for an obligatory M & S shop for Mrs H, followed by an obligatory fall off her bike on the return journey. It’s quite unusual to go for a walk or ride without something happening to be fair. Grazed and bruised but otherwise

no serious damage to prevent a Morrison’s shopto stock up before we move on.