Flat Walk the Wight 2016

It's that time of year again when the Island community comes together to raise money en masse for Earl Mountbatten Hospice by taking part in Walk the Wight. There are several options, either walking the breadth of the Island from Bembridge to Alum Bay, going from Bembridge to Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke Castle to Alum Bay, or, for those less fond or capable of hills, the flat walk from Sandown to Shide. We chose the latter due to creaky bones, lack of training, and the presence of teenagers.

We met at the park and ride in Somerton and caught the bus to Isle of Wight College. The bus was free with our walker number. Nice! Here we boarded the shuttle bus to Sandown Bay Academy; now, this was an open top Island Breezer, and the weather was pleasant, some chose to sit on the exposed top deck. The views were glorious and the bus was aptly named. Along the route we passed other walkers doing the big walks and all waved merrily back and forth - very jolly. We disembarked at Sandown, and followed the road round to the start of the Red Squirrel Trail (Newport - Sandown cycle path) where the walk began, and joined crowds of other walkers heading back to Newport.

We had 'Goldilocks' weather; not too hot, not too cold, but just right, and were able to remove our jumpers quite quickly and enjoy the spring sunshine. The atmosphere was lovely, with walkers of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities taking part. We saw several people in wheelchairs, with mobility strollers, children on pushchairs, as well as three people completing the walk on stilts. Of course. Lots of people brought dogs too. The scenery was delightful, with wetlands to begin with, and Highland cattle, followed by more formal farmland and woodland. Spring was definitely upon us as the verges were full of wildflowers, and the trees were clothed in green. Along the route were several wooden sculptures, all interesting and with a nature theme, and many side paths that looked like they needed exploring in the future.

The walk ended in Shide, where we all received medals for taking part. My teenager had raced on ahead and saw a Samba band while she was waiting for us, but the band had gone when we caught her up. We ended by catching the shuttle bus into Newport and getting an 'artisan toastie' on a bread board at Skintrade Café in the square. Tasty!

Route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4318879.html
Distance: 8 miles
Fundraising: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Clare-Murray7

Highland Cattle

Horse Chestnut flowers

Railway Bridge