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.