New Year

I started the new year off gently by going for a stroll from Quarr Abbey to Binstead and back with a friend. It was a glorious winter afternoon, cold but dry and bright, and we caught up on all the news as we walked. Lovely. We stopped off at Holy Cross church in Binstead on the way back; this is an old church that I have walked past many times but never been in. It has a beautiful wooden 'boat' ceiling, which has Norman style wooden arches overlaying it. The stone pulpit is in just the right spot to survey the congregation and keep an eye on wayward choristers! The church was, unsurprisingly, very tranquil. Worth a visit.

Afterwards we stopped for a hot drink and cake at the Abbey cafe before wandering up to admire the pigs and then toddling off home.

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!

Firestone Copse, Quarr and Newnham Farm

Week two of the teenager's D of E challenge, so she decided a four and a half mile walk was in order. We headed for Firestone Copse near Wootton Bridge, and then stomped off along a main path before heading up a steep, muddy path on our right. This came out on another main path so we turned left and followed for a while before picking up a path on our right which led through the trees to the road. From here we walked back towards Wootton and came out on the main road to Ryde, which we crossed further up and picked up the bridleway that led eventually to Fishbourne Lane. Further along the lane, opposite the Fishbourne Inn, was another bridleway that led to Quarr Abbey. We paused here to admire the pigs (of course) and use the facilities, then walked through the woods to the main path to Ryde, followed this briefly, then turned right and followed the lane to the main Ryde road. We took our lives in our hands here - busy road - and dashed across when there was a gap, only to find an extremely muddy gateway to cross!

We navigated the mud, crossed the field, paddled through another gateway and entered woodland where we slithered up the muddy path. This led past a very large pond which was beautiful in the winter sunshine. There were a few ducks, coots, moorhens and cormorants on the pond. The path continued to be very muddy and ended in a gateway that was essentially in a pond. I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to try and get across with dryish feet by climbing round the fences that surrounded the gate. My first move was to stand on the lower rung of the gate itself, and this turned out to be somewhat unwise as I nearly fell off and into the water. The teenager found this hilarious... Anyway, I changed my mind and climbed through the barbed wire fence next to the gate, where the ground was drier, and got caught up in the process. The teenager took pity on me and freed my clothing and I climbed through, followed by her. 

The path led uphill past several majestic oak trees, and then onto a lane. We turned right here and followed the lane to Newnham Farm, through the back of the farmyard and a couple of fields, then squelched up a hill to the war memorial chapel at the top. The views here were magnificent and we could see as far as Portsmouth. The path led back downhill to the road, and we stopped at the Wight Milk shack to buy a pint of milk and some eggs, then followed Firestone Copse Road back to the copse, and followed some more muddy paths to the car park. Here things got civilised and I was able to buy a delicious coffee from 'Drew's Brews' coffee cart. Yum!

The weather was absolutely perfect today, and we both really enjoyed the walk. I was glad that I had put on my boots as the route was extremely wet and muddy for the most part.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4502120.html
Distance: 4.5 miles

Firestone Copse

Pond

Oak Tree

Memorial Chapel 

Quarr to Ryde

A quick walk on a bright but chilly February afternoon to get back in gear for walking. The teenager has signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and has chosen walking for her activity. As we have been spectacularly inactive lately we decided to start with something simple and headed for Quarr Abbey after stopping for lunch at Bluebell's Cafe (always delicious!).

We began the walk by stopping to admire the pigs, as is traditional, then strolled through the woods to the ruins of the medieval abbey and on to the main path towards Ryde. This took us to Binstead Church, and then the path cut through the golf course and up to the main road. We turned back at this point and returned to Quarr.

This was, as ever, a lovely walk. There were signs of spring everywhere with catkins on the trees, snowdrops in the verges, and blackbirds and robins twittering in the trees. Lots of families were out enjoying the sunshine, and everybody we met appeared to be in a good mood.

Quarr Abbey

Holy Cross church, Binstead

Quarr Abbey to Cowes

Another stretch of the coastal path today, starting with delicious tea and cake at Quarr Abbey Tearooms. My friend and I had been given a lift to the Abbey by my Mother, who also had tea and cake, so that we could walk back to Cowes.

Once the cake was eaten, and the piglets had been admired (obligatory), we set off along the path. This was lovely, and led eventually to Fishbourne Lane, coming out just by the pub beyond the ferry terminal, and then following the road to the next footpath on the right. This led into the village of Wootton Bridge, past a house being built near the pub which had lovely sculptures and shells set into the walls, rambled among the housing estate (where we took a minor detour due to an ambiguous signpost), and then onto the long and winding Brocks Copse Road. I had never been down this road, and we discovered some lovely Victorian lodges, a small road bridge over a sluggish stream, and a cherry tree bearing almost ripe fruit. We foraged briefly! We were also accosted several times by a lady whose sat nav was sending her everywhere except Osborne House; she was working here for Cowes Week, had to pick somebody up, and was getting very confused. We sent her in the right direction several times and guessed that she got there eventually when she failed to show up again.

Brocks Copse Road became Alverstone Road, and emerged on the main East Cowes road by The Forge at Whippingham. The coastal path led along the main road from here, so we continued along, stopping for a cup of tea at Osborne House, home of Queen Victoria, and then continued down into East Cowes, poked around the charity shops and caught the new floating bridge to Cowes. Another lovely, rather breezy and occasionally wet, walk completed.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4588940.html

           https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/dbimgs/6.Ryde-Cowes.pdf

Distance: 6.9 miles

Cat detail on house, Wootton Bridge

Lodge gate

Cowes Hammerhead Crane

Floating Bridge

Firestone Copse

Well, it was high time I got off my behind and went for a proper stomp again. With that in mind, teenager and I headed off to Firestone Copse near Wootton (on one of the hottest days of the year so far) and went for a shady stroll through the trees. It was lovely! Neither of us had ever really explored the copse so we went wherever a whim took us, turning right here, left there, and eventually ending up on the banks of Wootton Creek. Here the path was riddled with exposed roots and strewn with fir cones, with patches of golden sunlight streaming through. We were enchanted. I had only really seen the creek from the road or the ferry before, so this stretch was new to me. The path continued on and gently up, and we pottered along deserted woodland paths by the banks of dried up streams before eventually turning a corner and finding the carpark. Here we found lots of people returning from dog walking, or starting a family barbecue in the shade of the trees.

Our next stop was Quarr Abbey, where we stopped for a nice cup of tea and some people watching, before admiring the piglets (some very new born and exceedingly cute!) and heading home via the seaside where we stopped for a quick paddle. It's great to live on this Island.

Creekside Path

Quarr Piglets

Log piles

Quarr Abbey again

As it was a glorious spring afternoon the teenager and I  decided to get some air and headed off to Quarr Abbey near Binstead. We pottered about and admired the pigs and piglets, popped into the art exhibition, admired the updated shop (rosaries in all shapes and sizes), and looked round the exhibition about the Abbey's history. Next we strolled past the Abbey itself, and down to the woodland walk where we ambled in the shade, pausing at the wildlife shelter to see if we could spot any squirrels. No luck, sadly. If ever I get a large garden, or garden of any size, I would like a shelter like that to wile away sunny afternoons in. The path meandered on past log piles, and trees sprouting new growth, and came out opposite a paddock with some newly shorn sheep. We paused again and watched a pair of buzzards circling in the sky above, then strolled down the green lane between banks of hogweed and cow parsley, field maple, dogwood and wild grasses, spotting bees on the flowers.

The lane came out opposite a stone cottage by fields containing the ruined remains of the medieval Abbey, and more sheep. Another lane led on towards Binstead in one direction, so we pottered that way passing beneath a huge weeping willow and uphill to a gate. We turned around then and followed the lane back to the car and home. If I lived in Binstead or Wootton I think I would come to Quarr all the time; it is such a peaceful place with magnificent wildlife and beautiful surroundings. Glorious - I can see why the monks settled here.

Quarr Abbey

Wild Rose

Firestone Copse and Quarr Abbey

It's been a while since my intrepid walking partner and I went for a stomp, but today was the day. We drove out to Firestone Copse near Wootton Bridge and parked the car. Our route led us along woodland pathways, with carpets of daffodils and wood anemones to our left and right, until we reached Firestone Copse Road. Turning left we followed the road until it met Kite Hill Road, the main road to Ryde. Crossing with caution we continued our route, turning left down a path next to a post box, which led to Fishbourne Lane and past the ferry terminal. We turned right up a bridleway opposite the Fishbourne Inn and followed a broad lane until we reached Quarr Abbey, home to Dominican monks on the Island. We had a glorious view of the Abbey, and paused briefly to admire their famous pigs - beautiful but smelly!

The path led downhill towards the mediaeval ruins of the original abbey, where we turned right and followed another footpath back to the main road. Taking our lives in our hands we sprinted across the road between fast cars (well, fast for the Island, and fast enough for us) and passed through a gate to a very muddy field beyond. The path quickly dried out and led through some woodland and past a large, private pond. More of a small lakelet really. Rather serene and beautiful anyway. Beyond this was a field with several stately oak trees, which we passed between, and came to a lane.

The lane led to Newnham Farm, so we followed the footpath through the farmyard and two fields, and then up a long, shallow hill. At the top we found a shrine to a local man who dies in the First World War, and also commemorated the men of Binstead and Havenstreet who also died in the war. This was a rather lovely memorial, and most unusual, so we paused for a few minutes to admire it.

The path continued down the hill to meet the other end of Firestone Copse Road, which we followed until we reached the copse and followed more woodland paths to the car park. We finished our afternoon with a visit to Briddlesford Farm Shop and the Bluebells Café. Perfect!

Route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4502120.html

Distance: 4.2 miles

Quarr Abbey

Medieval Abbey Ruins

Pond

War Memorial, Newnham Farm

Concerts

I have been to a couple of concerts recently. The first was at Quarr Abbey, near Binstead, for a performance of Faure's Requiem and French Motets by Les Fauristes Chamber Choir, from London. The concert was to raise funds for the restoration of the Abbey organ, and was free with a collection at the end.

 

I have to say I wasn't overwhelmed. The soloist, Judith Charron, was jolly good, but the choir sounded out of tune in places which rather marred their performance. The organist, Hamish Dustagheer, was, however, excellent. The Abbey itself is austere but rather lovely and worth a visit if you are in the area.  

 

The second concert was by the Isle of Wight Cantata Choir, performing John Rutter's Magnificat and a selection of opera choruses. The venue was 'Aspire', Ryde, which is a former church now used as a community centre. It is in dire need of a lick of paint inside, but is a lovely venue none the less. I thoroughly enjoyed the Magnificat and thought the choir sang beautifully. In the second half they sang opera choruses by Bizet, Tchaikovsky, and Rossini, with solos by the talented Tressa Lambert. Tressa also performed a selection of solos by Flanders and Swan, and Gershwin among others. Finally, she performed the 'Flower Duet' with Rachel Tweddle, the choirs' conductor. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

 

Altar detail, Aspire.

Roof detail, Aspire.

 

Quarr Abbey and Ryde

I decided to go for a stroll, alone, and sort my head out a bit. I parked at Quarr Abbey, walked past the piggery (gorgeous pigs!), and into the Art Exhibition. This was a show of pottery and paintings from local artists. All rather pleasant but nothing that made me go 'Wow!'. I continued on, past the tea gardens, and followed the path to the ruins of the mediaeval abbey. I paused for a few minutes then continued along the path towards Binstead; the lane passed through a wooded area with lovely houses on one side and every so often there were tiles embedded in the road surface with poems engraved on them. Unusual, but lovely.

 

I followed the coastal path, and after a little while there was a side path leading down to the shore. I followed it, getting quite muddy in the process, and eventually came down some wooden steps to the shingled Binstead Hard. The tide was high so there wasn't much beach, but I was able to sit on a patch by a fallen, but still living, birch tree and eat my sausage sandwiches. Bliss. There was nobody else about. I returned to the main coastal path, followed it a bit further, along Ladies Walk, and turned left at a bridge. This semi-paved footpath came out at another beach, sandy this time, with a boatyard and the remains of a pier or jetty.

 

Back to Ladies Walk and I  followed the path past Ryde Golf Course until it came out near the main road. The coastal path turned left here and went down into Ryde along the back streets. I wandered along and was amazed at some of the architecture; there was a large stone archway with a stag on top and lions to either side, clearly the remains of an entrance to a large house, but now surrounded by bungalows. I walked on until I reached the esplanade then turned round and walked back to Quarr.

 

A lovely walk, and one to do again!

 

Distance: c. 5.5 miles

Footpaths: R45, R46, R48, R94

 

Quarr Abbey pig

View of the Abbey ruins

Derelict jetty near Binstead.