Bonchurch

Today we went on a Bank Holiday expedition to Bonchurch, in the south of the Isle of Wight.  When we arrived I couldn't believe that I had never been there before! A beautiful village.  We parked by the pond, which was full of large carp and hundreds of tiny fish, not to mention ducks and moorhens, then wandered up a lane in search of Bonchurch Pottery; this turned out to be right at the end (beyond a car park), right next to the beach.  And what a beach! There was a revetment that carried on to Ventnor, with wave-breaker steps leading to the beach itself. This was sandy, with large rocks, rockpools and not many people. Just a few dog-walkers. Bliss! As it was so sunny we paddled in the sea for a bit, and felt the sand between our toes.  We also poked our heads into the pottery and discovered lots of reasonably priced treasures. Must go back and buy something! After a while we wandered back up the hill to the village, discovered that the cafe was closed so went in search of the Norman Church; this dates back to about 1070AD.  It is located down a lane at the end of the village (lower Bonchurch) and is a fine example of its kind.  Tiny, simple and calm. Bliss. Everything I want from a church really.  We then headed back to the car, and drove up Bonchurch Shute (very steep) and stopped at the Smuggler's Haven Tea Rooms for a cuppa and an ice cream.  Fantastic view across the calm, blue English Channel from here.  We drove back across the Island via Shanklin Old Village to Cowes, deeply delighted with our discovery and determined to visit again.  Soon.