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.