Headon Warren and Totland Bay

What a glorious day for a walk! We headed across the Island to Totland, getting diverted on the way as the Yarmouth road was closed for repairs. We parked next to the Broadway Inn on Madeira Road, asked for directions from a passing elderly lady, and headed off up the hill towards Alum Bay.

On the right hand side, after about half a mile, was a footpath heading onto the Warren. We followed this bumpy, sandy path between high scrubby hedges until we came out into bright sunshine on top of the Warren.  Headon Warren is sandy, flinty soil and covered in heather and gorse, with the odd stunted tree. The gorse was flowering today, but the heather looked as though it was dead; I expect that it will be covered in purple  flowers if we go back in a month. Part of the route was closed as there had been a landslip earlier in the month. We had a peek, and there was a sheer drop where the land had fallen away by about ten feet. Further along our path the land had slipped by about two feet. We didn't go much further! From this point there was a magnificent view across Alum Bay to The Needles. I don't think I've ever seen such a good view of them.

The Needles from Headon Warren

We headed back towards Totland, staying on footpaths rather than the main road. We were planning on going straight back to the car but detoured along a couple of footpaths we found and ended up on Totland Beach. the tide was right out so the kids went and played on the sandy beach for a bit, then we walked along to the pier (disintegrating), found another footpath and discovered we were back on Madeira Road. We admired the lovely houses then hopped in the car and went home.  Lovely afternoon.

Totland Bay 

Route:  http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_3807832.html

Distance: 3.7miles

Footpaths:  T20, T17, T14, T2, T33

Cowes Cows

It was beautifully sunny this afternoon, so we went for a late walk. When we got to the bandstand we poked around in the flower beds (not vandalising them you understand) and found a Cowes Cow that we thought was hidden there. Much whooping and gleeful jigging about ensued! Next we had to find a new hiding place, so we set off along the parade and poked the cow into all kinds of crevices and cracks until we found somewhere suitable, which was hopefully, but probably not, original. We took a photo for the Facebook page then headed back to town.

As we walked back, the light mist over the sea deepened rapidly into a thick fog and within ten minutes we could not see the ferry that we knew to be just a couple of hundred yards offshore. We could however hear the foghorn. Loud.  We stopped at Tottie's chip shop and had sausage and chips for tea in front of out telly. Perfect end to a pleasant afternoon.

Challenge 2014

Right, we have decided on a challenge for 2014! As well as continuing to collect footpaths on walking expeditions around the Island, we shall be tourists in our own back yard visiting local attractions, be they free or otherwise, drinking tea in local cafes and listening to live music down the pub or marina or seafront, or wherever it happens to be playing. Not planning on going to the major music festivals though as that is somewhat out of our budget.

East Cowes Boat Trail

Well it was a beautiful day so we decided to go for a walk. I downloaded the Cowes -East Cowes Boat Trail guide from the council website and we set off. First stop was the floating bridge; this runs across the River Medina between Cowes and East Cowes and is currently free to foot passengers. We got off in East Cowes, found the first knot sign of the trail and set off around the town. The trail led us past the site of the Grid Iron Shed, where the first seaplane was launched in 1913, then on to Trinity Wharf which used to be the dot for lighthouses and buoys. It was also Queen Victoria's choice of landing stage when she came to visit Osborne House. Next we saw the back of Columbine Yard where the hovercraft was developed. On the front of this is the world's largest Union Jack but we couldn't see that from this side of the river.

Around the corner were barracks and coastguard cottages and a giant propeller. There was also a plaque commemorating a local boy who had a fight with Prince Albert, son of Queen Victoria, and who was rewarded by the Queen in return! We didn't get a good look because there were road works and we couldn't get close.  We followed the seafront to Castle Point then had a muddy walk back through the woods, stopped off briefly at the playground (great for munchkins!), and then walked up Cambridge Road to see the shell house; this is an ordinary semi-detached house which has a mosaic on the side of a large sailing ship made entirely of cockle shells. Lovely. My daughter was tired by this time so we pottered back to the town centre hoping for a cup of tea and a sit down. We went into a cafe near the Co-op and were told that drinks were take out only. We left empty-handed and grumpy and went back to Cowes.

We ended a pleasant afternoon having a swift drink in Cowes Ale House listening to 2nd Time Around, a local folk band. We will continue the rest of the boat trail another day.

 

Distance walked: 4.5km

Spent: £2.20

The Table

My friend took me to the Quay Arts Centre last night to watch 'The Table' as a birthday treat.  This was a production by a company called Blind Summit and consisted of a trio of puppeteers operating a two foot high puppet called Moses.  He had a rag doll body and an intricately crafted cardboard head.  I spent much time pondering how to create it using mathematical nets! Moses performed on, and sometimes above or under, the table. The purpose of the show was apparently to tell the story of the last few hours in the life of the biblical Moses; this was interspersed with much improvisation and general hilarity. I laughed until I cried at points! The puppetry was superb and the puppeteers clearly knew their craft. One disappeared for a while and was temporarily replaced by a very able young man from the audience. An old man sat next to my friend, and as far as we coined tell he didn't crack a smile all the way through the show.

After the main performance the audience were invited back to view a performance that was in the early stages of production; this was a life-sized puppet of a man called Patrick. Patrick was a failed bass guitarist and somewhat dilapidated and .... odd. Yes. He started off as a young man giving au monologue about cancer being caused and cured by water and gradually aged.  This became gradually evident as the monologue progressed (increasing age was mentioned), and then his hand went back to rub his head and his hair fell back revealing a sparsely thatched scalp. Patrick's position on his chair became more upright and less lounge, but stooped like a tired old man.  I thought it was good, but rather disturbing. Not sure I would pay to see it.

After the theatre we headed for the pub, imbibed some booze and had a jolly good catch up! A good night out.



Dark Lane

Just a quick walk today to get us back into the habit.  We left the car at Carisbrooke Castle, headed along the moat then took a footpath down a steep chalk bank, along a path between two high hedges, across a field and past a chestnut tree then onto Froglands Lane.  We turned left and followed the lane to the end then turned right and followed the footpath.  This was rather muddy and led to Dark Lane; this is a deep, ancient lane cut into the chalk with high, wooded banks showing gnarly roots and stems.  The middle of the lane was clear, with debris washed away by rain from a recent storm.  There was the occasional large fallen branch to clamber round.  The kids had fun running up and down the banks and climbing trees.

Dark Lane emerged into fields and we continued for a while until we came to a junction; we turned left and followed another lane steeply downhill, emerging into the sunlight by a farm. We walked past, admiring rabbits in the fields, and came eventually to Whitcombe Road.  We turned left here and followed the road back to Froglands Lane.  Whitcombe Road was far busier than I expected and cars came down it at high speed.  There are no pavements, and only intermittent verges, so I don't recommend it if you are of a nervous disposition!

Route:  http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_3719835.html

Footpaths: N89,  N108

Fairlee Farms

I went for an amble while my daughter had her swimming lesson.  Getting off the bus at Medina Leisure Centre I walked up the road away from Newport. Turning left into Mews Lane I followed the track past Little Fairlee Farm, then on towards another farm, over stiles and along a path ankle deep in wet grass and weeds. At the farm there was a footpath on the right that led to a field of bullocks. They were large and started moving towards me when I opened the gate, so, like the wussie townie I am I beat a retreat, shut the gate and stared at them for a while. I bet the farmers were having a laugh at me!  

I  continued up the farm track and came to a junction of footpaths; the left turn took me towards Wootton (not today thanks), the right took me across another field of cattle, so I went straight on up Mews Lane and joined up with Staplers Road.  I followed this for a while, then turned right into the estate and wended my way among the streets until I found a small cemetery which I explored.  This cemetery was obviously a haven for wildlife, being unkempt though clearly looked after, and was a pleasant ocean of calm yards from the main Newport to Ryde road. Leaving the cemetery, I turned right and after a few yards  found another footpath, possibly the old railway line, going towards the Leisure Centre so I followed this until I found the turning  back to the main road. A pleasant walk!

View towards Fairlee Road from Mew Lane

Cemetery

Distance: 3 miles
Footpaths used:  N118, N117, N208, N208c