Godshill and Wroxall

I met up with a chum today and we headed to Godshill, parking in the  big car park there.  We had decided to follow a route found on 'Visit Isle of Wight', but swiftly went wrong. We made it as far as All Saints Church, on the hill (hence the name of the village I guess), then got a little confused. We walked along the lane, but couldn't see a footpath leading off it, so turned round and went the other way ending up back in the village. It was a pleasant detour, with lots of thatched cottages and few tourists. If we had carried on along the original path we would have got to our footpath. Ah well!

We decided to head through the village to The Griffin Inn as I knew there was a path there that led to Appuldurcombe House, where we wanted to go. This led behind the pub, across a meadow and into woodland, full of fallen leaves and sweet chestnuts. Lovely! We took the path to the right which came out by a deer park and led gradually uphill, coming out at a crossroads of paths. The one straight ahead led up the infamous Gat Cliff and the one on the right skirted round the base of it. I didn't want to go up the cliff as I was feeling particularly unfit today (what a wimp!), so we took the right hand path which eventually led to Freemantle Gate. We went through here and paused for a while to admire it, then continued on to Appuldurcombe House, where we paused to discuss its scandalous history and whether or not it was haunted, as is commonly believed. Onwards from here to the junction with Rew Lane and a brief jaunt into Wroxall.

Wroxall is not a village I know well, but it seemed pleasant and had an unusual church. After a while we found Appuldurcombe Lane and headed back across the fields to Freemantle Gate, pausing to admire a raptor in flight (still undecided on which one it was) and getting excited about a passing spitfire. From the gate we strolled down the lane to Godshill, passing a paddock of Shetland ponies on the way. We ended up in The Griffin for a bite to eat (nice baguettes), then headed to the Willow Tree Tea Garden for a coffee before heading home. Lovely day!

Intended route: https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/dbimgs/Walk_Appuldurcombe.pdf 

Actual route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4826342.html 

Distance: 6 miles.

All Saints Church, Godshill

St John's Church, Wroxall

Beautiful Brighstone

Well, I'm back in Brighstone again for an overnight stay and more dog-sitting. I have to say that I have completely fallen for this village; it is so peaceful in the cottage I stay in on the village outskirts, with more nature than you can shake a stick at just while you are having a cuppa in the garden. Gorgeous! Today I have seen a wren almost within touching distance, blue tits, pigeons, buzzards, wasps, at least three species of bumblebee and I'm hoping I'll see baby toads this evening (we were invaded last time!). Everyone that I have met in the village has been extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful too. 

After lunch I took the pooch for a walk, starting in Coombe Lane and wandering along the paths until we got back to the village centre, joining a large group of ramblers as we got there. We walked up towards the downs, then cut across a field following a path that gradually descended between walls of sandstone and earth, bordered with bracken and blackberries which came out on Upper Lane opposite the lane by the library. Very nice. Pooch found lots of things to sniff and had a thoroughly lovely time running about the lanes jumping at pigeons in the hedgerows.

In the evening I drove up to the car park at the top of Strawberry Lane and strolled up the down path while pooch ran after her tennis ball and explored. Glorious view from the top of the hill that I will forever adore.

Brighstone Down

After spending yesterday on the sofa under a fluffy blanket, listening to the rain, watching 'Call the Midwife', and eating biscuits and Welsh cakes, I thought that I ought to get some fresh air and exercise today. I set off for Brighstone and parked at the car park at the top of Lynch Lane, next to Strawberry Lane.

Coming out of the car park, I turned right and then picked up a footpath on the opposite side of the road and bimbled along it to see where it went. I hadn't brought a map. More on that later! I stopped periodically to gaze through my binoculars at hovering kestrels and soaring buzzards, riding the wind in the sky above me. Glorious. Wish I could do that! The path led on, passing Brighstone Forest on the left and showing glorious views along the west coast on the right. I never tire of that view. 

I paused for a while to sit on a stile and gaze across the countryside and seascape below, before continuing on towards a viewpoint showing the distance to lots of different places on the Island and around the world, and then past cattle sheds belonging to Cheverton Farm and a beautiful herd of cattle (all different colours), where I paused to lean on the gate and admire them for a while.  I was later overtaken by a family of mountain bikers and later I found a sign for the 'Devil's Spine', part of a mountain bike trail run by the farm. 

I turned back shortly after the cattle, and met a lady and her puppy; we had an interesting conversation about our mutual lack of skill at photography while her puppy bounced up and down next to me. Next, I turned along a footpath that led into the forest, assuming it would head for Lynch Lane. It did, in a roundabout way! I had no map, as mentioned earlier, and managed to get myself turned around. Having found a broader, stonier path than the rather damp one I was following, I began walking along it, not entirely sure in which direction I was going. That was fine; I was ambling up a hill and spotted a hare feeding on the grass and got quietly excited as I had never seen one before. Wow! I was glad I had the binoculars as I got a really good look at it without getting to close and scaring it off. Shortly after that I met another lady who informed me that I'd end up in Carisbrooke if I continued in that direction, so i turned round and found myself back at the car park fairly soon afterwards.

This was a lovely, gentle walk with magnificent landscapes, cloudscapes and seascapes, and lots of wildlife to spot. I saw several birds that I cannot identify, lots of insects, and there was an abundance of wild flora. I'll have to wander back soon and gather hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts. It was also good to see evidence of the forest being managed, with coppicing of sweet chestnuts evident.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4798056.html

Distance: approx. 5 miles

Wootton and Briddlesford

Three of us set off on a exploration of the Wootton area this morning, at crack of dawn. Not entirely sure why, but it seemed like a good idea. We parked the car in Fernside Way, strolled round the corner to Station Road and turned left and went in search of a footpath. We rejected the first one we saw and took the second, heading blindly on (we did have a map but, well,...) until we eventually reached Briddlesford Road. We turned right again and continued until we got to Knights Cross and turned left down a farm track, past Knights Farm, and an antiques emporium until we came to the delightful Trufffles Tiny Campsite.

This was the main reason for the walk, as we had read about the campsite on Twitter and wanted to check it out. We were beguiled immediately! This was proper, almost wild, camping. With Llamas. We were shown around by Marnie, and saw the compost toilets (fantastic) and the wood burner, sunken fridge (butler sink with a lid), woodfire and solar heated shower, and outdoor kitchen area. Amazing. I felt like I wanted to live there all summer! I hope that it works out well as it is a lovely idea.

Afterwards we walked to Briddlesford Copse with Marnie and Stewart (a wild camper), and said goodbye, and then continued on to Wootton through Fernhill woods, past the ice house and Hurst Copse, picking blackberries on the way, then stopping at The Sloop for lunch before going home. Lovely!

Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/660662
Distance: 4.5 miles

Compost Toilet 

Camp kitchen

Mooches with a Pooch

This week a friend and I are house and dog sitting in Brighstone so have been exploring. Walks have included:

Coombe Lane Loop 1

Start at Coombe Lane (off Lynch Lane), follow past the farm buildings then turn right through a makeshift gate and walk uphill. At the top of the hill turn left and walk towards the Ramblers gate in the corner. Go through the gate and follow the path to a junction and turn left, following the path gradually downhill to a turning on the left. This looks like a tree lined tunnel, with a ditch on the left and leads back to the top of Coombe Lane.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4784608.html 

Distance: approx. 2 miles

Coombe Lane Loop 2
Start in Coombe Lane, head past the farm buildings and take the path straight ahead (furthest left) and follow the path along, and around until you get to the upper end of the tree lined tunnel. Turn right here and follow the path uphill. Stay on the path, pausing to admire the view of the coast at the farm gate at the top, then continue downhill along the sunken path. The path ends on the main Shorwell - Brighstone road, where you should turn right and head back to the village, getting back to Lynch Lane and Coombe Lane via Upper Road.

Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/660659
Distance: approx. 2.3 miles

Totland Bay and Colwell Bay

We tried to park in Totland but all the side roads were being resurfaced it seemed, so we headed for Hurst Point View and parked there instead. We followed the road until it met footpath T1 and turned left towards Totland, cutting through One Horse Field on the way. This is a pleasant little nature reserve. We came out on a grass area and found a path that led to the coastal walk between the two bays, at the Pier Cafe. We turned right at the bottom and headed to Colwell Bay, marching along in the wind, turned round at the end and came back, pausing for a cup of tea and a doggie treat at the Pier Cafe. Lovely! Afterwards we continued along the seafront to the old Lifeboat station at Widdick Chine and followed the steps up to the road, back along Turf Walk and eventually to the car, via a run around the park.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/edit/route_4784619.html 

Distance: approx. 3 miles

Brighstone Down

Start in Lynch Lane and walk uphill towards Strawberry Lane, and then on to the National Trust car park on the left. Pass through the gate opposite the entrance and follow the path uphill. We continued until we were roughly opposite the Long Stone at Mottistone, then turned back and went home!

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/edit/route_4786520.html 
Distance: approx. 2.5 miles

Brighstone

Well, we have had weeks of unending sunshine so today my friend and I decided to go for a walk. It thundered and rained. Of course. However, the thunder was exciting and the rain refreshing so all was good. 

We started off in Lynch Lane and headed for the footpath to Moortown (I think that's right; on the right as you head downhill past Coombe Lane), and followed it towards and round Gaggerhill Farm, where we observed some noisy dogs and beautiful horses. The rain started just as we turned into the lane next to the house and we dodged right to a footpath that took us uphill under the trees towards Grammar's Common. This turned out to be a private ("This is not common land") woodland and red squirrel sanctuary, but the footpath went through and we enjoyed the peace and stillness within. At one point we heard a woodpecker and managed to track the noise to three possible trees but could not see the bird itself. Fun looking for it though!

The path led on, out of the woods and down to Strawberry Lane. Here we turned right and picked up a footpath that led to the Long Stone, alongside Castle Hill. We paused in the rain to admire the Long Stone, then detoured to the left and up to the top of Castle Hill to admire the view. One of my favourites, showing the coast from Blackgang Chine to Tennyson Down, even on a cloudy, hazy day like today. We then doubled back and followed the path down through the woods to come out by Mottistone Manor. The manor was not open to the public today, so we crossed the road and prowled around the churchyard, which is a thriving haven for wildlife, and had a look inside the church itself. This is a rather lovely example of a small, country church, and had an interesting display about 'Warrior', the horse that inspired the novel "Warhorse", as he belonged to local landowners. 

We had run out of footpath so we followed the road back to Brighstone in search of a cup of tea, only to find that the once famous cream tea shops had disappeared, so we had a cuppa in the Three Bishops pub instead, and bought an ice cream from the village shop. And a Belgian bun. Oops. We did have a slight detour on the way, having seen a signpost that said village centre half a mile; we followed it over a stream (played Pooh sticks on the bridge), and came out on a housing estate with no indication of where to go, so we retraced our footsteps to the main road. After tea, we decided to head back to Lynch Lane, and found another footpath that led over the downs and through a sheep field to Coombe Lane, which we followed passing several stone cottages until we were back in Lynch Lane. Lovely walk!

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4782839.html 

Distance: 6 miles

Pot Bellied Pig

Unusual clouds before thunder storm

Long Stone

Ordnance Survey Bench Mark on Mottistone Church wall

Brighstone stream

Ventnor to Shanklin

More travels with teenagers today. We were dropped off at Ventnor Botanic Gardens, left the car park, turned right and followed the road to the cricket pitch where we turned right again to go down to Love Lane. The path from here led us to Steephill Cove, where we walked above the beach for a while then along the shore path and up, steeply,  to Flowers Brook where we skipped down the hill towards the green and the pond, and continued along the path, up steep steps and on to Ventnor.

 

The road led along the seafront and we paused for a comfort break at the far end below the Winter Gardens. We continued along the seafront revetment  until we got to Bonchurch Pottery, and shortly afterwards took the path that led up through the woods to the church and East Dene House. The path skirted the edge of the grounds and led on to the Landslip, a local landmark which is heavily wooded. It was somewhat humid in the woods, and I suffered a bit. However, this gave me an excuse to stay at the back and mop up straggling students! We eventually emerged from the Landslip and followed the path past Dunnose Magna and on to Luccombe, from where we followed the road down to Shanklin, and then down on to the beach where we stopped for lunch and a well earned cuppa!   

 

I was absolutely exhausted by the end. This was a relatively short walk, but the heat and humidity combined with the ups and downs of the path made it hard going. However, we made it in one piece, and I finished the day judging a sand sculpture competition for another group of students from our school. Lovely.

Distance: 5.5 miles
Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4579407.html

Nettlestone to Sandown

Well, it's that time of the year where I help take 16 teenagers rambling around the Island. We were dropped off in Nettlestone, and wended our way towards Priory Hotel, round the side, and down to a footpath by the side of a caravan park. This led across fields to St Helens and the Duver, bone dry in the heat, and across the causeway to Bembridge. We then pootled along the Embankment and stopped for an early lunch and loo break at the café.  

 

After lunch we headed up through the village and along the road to the windmill, passing it on our right before plunging downhill into the woods and a break from the sun. We missed our turning here, but followed the road back round until we found our footpath, crossed another road and walked through another holiday park until we found the coastal path again. From here we turned right and headed along the cliffs and up Culver Down to the monument, had a brief pause and then leapt downhill across the downs until we reached Yaverland and Dinosaur Isle where we met the bus home.

Lovely walk on a beautiful day. The views across Sandown Bay were magnificent, and the water was so blue and sparkling. Gorgeous place to live!

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4776930.html

Distance: c 7.75 miles



Sandown Bay



Culver Monument

Summer Festival Fun

Isle of Wight Festival 2018

I went to the Isle of Wight Festival again this year; it was the 50th anniversary of the original IOW festival, and this one was sold out completely. Everyone baked in the extremely hot weather, and any spot of shade was immediately filled! The noise was immense - no quiet to be found anywhere; between the stages was the noise of funfair rides and 90,000 punters having a great time. There was food aplenty, as well as drink and the occasional whiff of weed wafting past. I note a few acts that I particularly enjoyed; Depeche Mode were great as far as I was concerned (lots of others not so keen), Feeder were fabulous, as were Nile Rogers and Chic. I watched, as is traditional, the Medina College Ukulele band in the Kashmir Café who were on top form. Mostly I pottered around, catching up with chums, and letting the atmosphere and music waft over me. Good times, despite the mild sunstroke.

 

Rhythmtree Festival 2018

Ah, I love Rhythmtree Festival! It is so laid back with an electric range of music on three stages, and filled with lovely laid back people too. I spent two days in the woods with the scouts throwing axes and making dreamcatchers and pipecleaner teddies, and listening to the music from the woodland stage. Lovely. The sun beat down on the main arena, where the grass had dried to straw, so we were in the coolest place. There was a good range of food (I highly recommend Tansy's Pantry vegetarian food bus), and we had several forays to the tea and cake shop next to the Frolic Inn, where we sat either on the squidgy sofa or hay bales. Nice!

Rhythmtree reminds me of a large, English summer fête really, with slightly random stalls selling all manner of strange things, music you wouldn't necessarily listen to on a normal day, homemade cake and tea, Morris dancers and carnivals (not sure you'd get that at a fête, but the articulated tigers were great, as was the mechanical horse). Great fun, and I highly recommend going.

Carisbrooke to Shorwell

Today was not the most salubrious of days for walking, being wet with the threat of thunderstorms. However, my friend and I set off optimistically, thinking that the weather would improve. Hmmm. Anyway, we parked in the car park behind Carisbrooke Castle near St Dominic's Priory, and strolled along the road to Froglands Lane. From here we walked up Dark Lane (one of my favourites), and picked up the Shepherd's Trail. We followed this trail for several miles, with the intention of ending up at Brighstone, but as ever with me, we got a bit lost.

 

The trail went through fields, along country lanes, past farm houses and manor houses, as well as going up and down a fair amount. The countryside looked scrumptious, glowing all shades of green on this warm, damp day, and with sudden bursts of wildflowers along the way. There were a lot of poppies. Gorgeous.

 

Delightful as this was, the grass and wildflowers were long and soggy, so before long we were similarly soggy (we forgot to bring waterproof trousers) and the walk turned into a squelch. We came eventually to a farmstead which had a paddock of unusual sheep - some were horned Jacob sheep- and followed the path past it to a crossroads. Our directions were a bit vague here, so we hoped for the best and followed a path that appeared to be going in the right direction. Bad plan. It led to a meadow of long, wet grass and thistles, with a plantation of native trees and shrubs, but no apparent pathway onwards. We followed the field round, found a footpath with no signage, so followed it to the top of the hill only to find we were back at the farm with the beautiful sheep! As we were really rather damp by now we decided to head back to the road, and followed it to Shorwell and the lovely pub, The Crown.

Once indoors we got hot coffee and a sandwich (yum), and I removed my socks and boots as they were sodden. We dried out a bit, then caught the bus back to Carisbrooke High Street, walked along Castle Lane past the ford, and up to the castle itself, around the moat and along another footpath and back to the car. We were going to have a brew at the Priory tea rooms but they are closed on Thursdays.

 

Another lovely walk, which was nice in the rain, but would be amazing in the sunshine.  

 

Distance (main walk): c. 7.5 miles

 

Intended Route: https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/dbimgs/13.Shepherds%20Trail.pdf 

 

 

Godshill

A friend and I fancied an afternoon out, rather than watch the royal wedding or the cup final, so we headed to Godshill and the Old Smithy car park. We then wandered across the road and into the first tea shop we saw, Old World Tea Rooms, and had a delicious cream tea. For lunch. Who cares, it was delicious and the sun was out.

 

Afterwards we walked to the side of the Griffin Inn and walked up the footpath and along the field, bordered by red Campion and horse chestnuts in full bloom. Gorgeous! The path led into the woods and uphill past the faded remnants of swathes of bluebells, through a field of sheep and lambs and down towards another, more gravelled, footpath. We had a choice of routes from here, and chose the one that led towards Appuldurcombe and Wroxall as we hadn't come out where I expected to. I had forgotten that I normally head up Gat Cliff and then down to Appuldurcombe, and had missed the turning in any case.

 

The walk to Appuldurcombe is lovely, passing through the magnificent Freemantle Gate, and into fields with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside; today we could see the seamark on the downs above Ryde, and Culver Cliff near Sandown.  Appuldurcombe was closed for a wedding, and we could see the party gathered about the ornamental fountain, and that they had two alpacas present. Unusual!

 

We walked as far as the road and the lovely Span Cottage, then retraced our steps to the junction and then down the path to Godshill, coming out just beyond the village on the main road. We headed back to the car park, browsed the Old Smithy shop then had another cuppa and a cake. Don't tell Slimming World...! This is a lovely afternoon's amble, particularly at this time of year.

 

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4742040.html
Distance: 4.5 miles




Freemantle Gate, from Godshill



Freemantle Gate, from Wroxall



Appuldurcombe House

April

Ryde to Seaview
A brisk impromptu stomp along the seafront to the Seaview Hotel, (stopped for a cuppa),  and back, with a friend, putting the world to rights. Lovely! Excellent views across the Solent too.

 

Cowes

A brisk walk through the town and on to Egypt Point lighthouse and back in the rain, stopping off for a cuppa at Coast. Lovely way to clear the cobwebs away.

 

Quay Arts

Popped in for lunch (lovely) and had a peek at the current exhibition. Definitely worth a visit. Excellent exhibition of body sculptures and art (Olympians and meta humans) by artist Louisa Giblin.

 

Isle of Wight Cantata Choir

The IOW Cantata Choir gave a strong rendition of Verdi's Requiem, ably accompanied by the IOW Symphony Orchestra and four superb soloists. Another excellent evening out.

West Wight

The sun came out today for the first time in ages so a friend and I headed to Freshwater Bay and sauntered up Tennyson Down. I had forgotten that the Down goes up and up and up, but luckily the views were worth it every time I had to stop to catch my breath (quite often!). We could see a long way down the west coast of the Island, as well as along the north coast with glorious views of the River Yar sparkling in the sun, Hurst Castle and Fort Albert. The Solent was flat as a pancake and very blue.

We continued to the Tennyson Monument and then down to the replica of Nodes Beacon and carried on for a while until the Old battery was in sight. We decided to head back then as we weren't sure there was still a cafe there and were getting peckish. We went back the way we came, admiring wildlife on the way; we saw a very tame robin, a kestrel, lots of small brown birds, gulls, and a very hairy brown caterpillar. There were also lots of solitary bees around, the occasional red-bottomed bumblebee and a few flies.

Back in Freshwater we had a cup of tea at a cafe but didn't fancy their sandwiches so headed down the coast to Isle of Wight Pearl, and were extremely satisfied by the food, and sorely tempted to try their cakes. We resisted, and instead strolled round the corner and walked down to Chilton Beach and along to Brook where we picked up the coastal trail and walked along the cliffs to the car park. On a couple of occasions as we walked along the beach parts of the cliff started crumbling; these were only mini falls of pebbles and soil, and we were glad nothing worse happened! The beach was, as ever, lovely and mostly deserted apart from the occasional dog walker. We didn't get back in time for cake unfortunately, but will definitely try again in the future!

View across Tennyson Down towards the Needles

Distance: approx 9.5 miles in total

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4717301.html 

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4717305.html 

Nottingham

Another trip to the north island, this time in a car and crossing seven counties and using several busy A-roads and motorways. The speed limit was definitely more than 40mph. Whoop! However, the trip still took ages as there were several hold ups along the way. Nottingham also has worse potholes in the roads than the Isle of Wight. Incredible.

 

On Saturday we pootled around the local area with a trip to Sherwood via the large park, which had the front half of a full scale model steam engine poking out of a disused tunnel, then popped into some shops before heading home. We had lunch then some of us pottered up to Mapperley Top, poked around the charity shops (lots of goodies!), had a cuppa and a biscuit before heading home again to eat homemade pizza and watch films. Good day.

On Sunday we herded the children into the car and drove to Rufford Abbey Country Park and spent a couple of hours wandering round completing the Easter Egg Hunt, admiring the birds on the lake (saw a Moorhen nest), playing in the maze and joining in the local sport of booing drivers who drove slowly through the ford, while cheering those that went through fast. The best part was when a slow driver was overtaken by a fast driver in a four by four. Hilarious. You probably had to be there...

We went home then and had a lazy afternoon followed by roast dinner and silly card games once the little ones were in bed. If anyone has a copy of 'Plague and Pestilence' that they would like to give me I'd be very grateful!



Rufford Abbey 

Final day meant heading back to the Island. We had booked a late ferry, but set off early and zoomed down the M1 (it's so nice to drive at more than 40mph for a sustained period of time), to Bletchley Park, where we spent a pleasant afternoon finding out about cipher cracking during both world wars, the bombe machines that were built to crack Enigma, and the people that worked there. Fascinating. They also make excellent chocolate brownies and cups of tea! Afterwards we headed home, and caught an earlier ferry which was then held up for an hour or so due to a medical emergency. Never mind, we were still home earlier than planned. Excellent weekend.

 

March

Snow Day
I had a pleasant amble around the town crunching through the ice layer on the snow and sliding on the ice patches on the hills. Good fun and very invigorating. Not quite the right snow for my sledge unfortunately.

Cowes
I needed a stomp after snow day so walked along to Egypt Hill, then up it and along Baring Road to the Zigzag and down, detouring through Mornington Woods and back along Queens Road and the lane behind Trinity Theatre before heading through town once more. Along the route were two of Paul Sivell's magnificent tree carvings; dolphins on Egypt Hill and Owls and squirrels at Mornington Woods. Lunch, prior to the walk, was at Tiffins, Lovely bacon and brie baguette.


Lower entrance to Mornington Woods

Lymington

We had a family day out to Lymington, travelling on the Wightlink ferry "Wight Sky", and noticing the penguin on the harbour wall as we passed. We then got the train to Lymington town, and meandered up the High Street through the snow, looking at the market and a few (warm) shops. We then had a lovely lunch in Prezzo before returning to the Island.

Isle  of Wight Symphony Orchestra

Another fabulous concert, with the orchestra playing 'Norwegian Dances' by Greig, a cello concerto by  Walton (not keen) with a fabulous soloist, Jamal  Aliyev, and then Dvorak's Fourth Symphony. Lovely! A very pleasant way to spend an evening. 



Mother's Day

I began the day with a fried breakfast in bed courtesy of the teenager, then I hoiked her out of the house for a stomp around Parkhurst Forest. I had forgotten that it was likely to be squelchy so my lightweight trainers got a bit soggy. Ah well. We had a good stomp around, starting by walking up to the squirrel hide and spending a few minutes sitting quietly and listening to the bird song. We then carried on and presently heard lots of whooping and yelling; this turned out to be a pack of adults running round the forest on a 'hash' looking for piles of sawdust to show them where to go, and blowing hunting horns as they went. Everybody seemed to be having fun, and it made us laugh. It appeared to be a cross between orienteering and foxhunting without horses or foxes.

 

We continued on, following paths at random, mostly keeping our feet dry, and commenting on how full the streams and ditches were. After about an hour we made it back to the car and then headed to Forest View nursery for a cup of tea and more nattering.

In the afternoon I took my Mum out for a cup of tea and a slice of cake at Isle of Wight Pearl on the west coast. The cake is to be recommended; I had the chocolate cake and Mum had coffee and pecan. We bumped into friends who were also very pleased with their cakes! We then drove along the military road to Freshwater Bay and back home. Lovely Island!
 

View from squirrel hide

Ryde to Seaview

I met up with a friend today, after we had planned to walk from Ryde to St Helen's and back. While I was waiting I watched the ducks and geese on the boating lake who were in full voice trying to woo each other and fight off competitors.  We walked along the seafront from the Duck cafe to Seaview, but the weather was against us so we called in to the bar at the Seaview Hotel to get out of the rain and have a coffee. We ended up staying for a sandwich too (yummy) before heading back into the drizzle and back to Ryde.

Despite the weather this was a lovely walk! The tide was out and the beach from Appley to Seaview looked glorious, and the views to the sea forts in the Solent were good. The  bar at the hotel was cosy and full of old prints of photos of the Island, and the sandwiches were generously filled. I shall definitely go back! 

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4697812.html

Distance: 4 miles

February

'Hidden Heroes' Exhibition
We popped into the Quay Arts Centre to view their latest exhibiton on 'Hidden Heroes'. This was about Isle of Wight people, and ranged from the last Jutish King on the 7th century who repelled the Anglo-Saxons, and ensured the Island was the last place in Britain to accept Christianity, to Andy Stanford-Clark, a Master Inventor for IBM who amongst many other things helped invent Facebook messenger. In between were people who worked on Thrust II, the Black Arrow space programme, Julia Margaret Cameron (Victorian photography pioneer), Isabella de Fortibus (last independent Lord of the Wight in the 13th century) and several others. Very interesting.

Ryde to Quarr Abbey
A brisk walk this afternoon from Spencer Road to Quarr Abbey and back following the coastal path. Stopped for coffee and cake, obviously!

Quiz Night
The scouts (Explorers?) that are attending the next World Jamboree organised a quiz at Corf Camp to raise funds. I joined some friends for the night and somehow we managed to win by a reasonable margin! I was somewhat delighted at the outcome, and the box of chocs that came with it!

Chilton Chine to Brook Chine

Today was an absolutely glorious winter day with clear blue skies, low temperatures and a slight breeze. Gorgeous! We were going to go on a hilly walk but the teenager wasn't feeling overly energetic so we headed to Chilton Chine and one of my favourite beaches on the Island. The tide was starting to come in but we had four hours or so until high tide, so we started down the steps to the beach (not for the faint hearted at the bottom) and strode off towards Brook.

There was lots to see; this part of the Island has amazing geology with crumbling cliff faces, and random boulders on the shore. We think we saw a cast of a dinosaur footprint but neither of us really know what we're looking for! The boulders are wonderful, eroded by the sea into weird and wonderful shapes, somewhat like the teeth of giants in places. I love the red reef here, punctuated by rock pools and stretching out to sea. The surf starts some distance out, and is good for proper surfing further up the coast. At one point we noticed somebody had been doing some extreme recycling; there was a rope ladder dangling down the cliff face with some plastic crates piled above in a crevice with ropes dangling towards them. Odd!

The coastal views are glorious, stretching to Freshwater Bay and Tennyson Down in the north and down to Blackgang Chine in the south. The crumbling clay cliffs are replaced by soaring chalk downs at Freshwater, making a stark yet beautiful contrast. 

Once we got to Brook Chine we paused briefly then headed briskly back, not wanting to be caught by the high tide. I think we had plenty of time, but it isn't a good coast to be caught out on. Definitely a walk worth doing regularly!

Distance: 3.8 miles
Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4691335.html 

Dinosaur foot cast?

Extreme recycling

Brook Chine

View to Tennyson Down

Chilton Chine

Cowes Cycle Track

We went for a brisk Sunday morning walk in the drizzle along the cycle track towards Newport today. This is a popular route with walkers, runners, dogs and, of course, cyclists. I do wish that the latter group would all get bells and use them as you can't always hear them coming up behind you. Mind you, when one did employ his bell I nearly jumped out of my skin and into the river! Didn't get run over though...

There were early signs of the approaching spring around, with many trees laden with catkins and birds tweeting furiously and swooping through the air between bushes. There were lots of swans and cygnets on the river and inlets too, with the occasional mallard or coot to be seen.

As we approached our furthest point, between Vestas and the big metal bridge over Dodnor Creek, we found that someone had made a discovery among the undergrowth and what had been scrub land was now an archaeological dig. This was the site of 'Mummies Caves', a local cement works from the last 200 years. Plenty of infrastructure is still standing and was fascinating to look at through the fence. We paused again halfway along the bridge then turned round and made our way back to Cowes and lunch.

Distance: approx. 5 miles

View towards Whippingham



Mummies Caves, Dodnor



Dodnor Creek



Disused boatbuilding dock



Dilapidated workshop, Arctic Road

Winchester

Today I accompanied my Mum to Winchester for the first of her expeditions for her new hobby. She has decided to visit all the English cathedrals (C of E predominantly). The day was gorgeous - beautiful winter sunshine - and we had a lovely train journey there. We meandered into the city centre and poked around a few shops and the concourse near the Great Hall before heading to the cathedral refectory for lunch. Oh my! I had slow cooked belly pork on mashed potato with cabbage and wholegrain mustard gravy and every single morsel was scrumptious. Mum had chicken pie, mashed potato and vegetables which was also scrumptious.

We then headed into the cathedral and were greeted by a friendly volunteer who let us know that there would be a guided tour shortly, so we hung around until it started. The guide showed us round and gave us the architectural history of the building - most of what we see is not the original Norman building, but the 14th century redesign. At the East end of the building is a portion that is in the original state, rather solid and with rounded arches piled on top of each other rather than tall pointed arches. He pointed out the font, made of a relatively soft black limestone with fascinating scenes from the life of Saint Nicholas. Some of them were a bit gruesome but still interesting. We saw Jane Austin's tombstone (of course) which doesn't mention her writing, and then onto the 'Holey Hole' where medieval pilgrims crawled to get close to the relics of Saint Swithun. There was lots of medieval tiling on the floor here as well as some more modern replicas. We also saw a chapel that had pre-reformation paintings on the walls that had been plastered over before the reign of Henry VIII. Rather lovely. Lastly we went to the flooded crypt and admired the Anthony Gormley statue that is down there,. The tour ended there, as part of the cathedral was closed for cleaning. Afterwards we popped into a small exhibition showing the Winchester Bible - a handwritten, illuminated edition in four volumes which was absolutely beautiful.

The interior of the cathedral is lovely, with elaborate chantries for long dead bishops, a magnificent stone altar screen, intricately carved woodwork, swooping arches and vaulted ceilings, decorative floor tiles in the older part, a wide variety of memorial plaques to local notables, gentry and military figures, and lovely side chapels some with stunning stained glass windows. The huge window at the west end of the cathedral is worth a look; it is a patchwork of stained glass. This is because Winchester was pro-royalist in the civil war and the rest of the county wasn't, so the original window got smashed to bits. Once Charles II was on the throne as many bits of stained glass as could be found were collected up and put back into the window any old how with clear glass to fill the gaps. Really rather a good effect!

We left late afternoon and visited the gift shop and then had tea and cake in the refectory, explored the outside of the cathedral and found a second hand bookshop that raises money for the choristers, then headed back inside for choral evensong. This was very calm and lovely, with a visiting choir, the Cheriton Singers. Talented bunch. We then headed back to the railway station and home. Pleasant day.



Statue in crypt



detail of carving




Cathedral entrance

Cathedral from the Close