Monday 20 June 2011

Yesterday the weather was pretty encouraging apart from the cool wind but today loomed drizzly, cold and overcast. We tossed up what to do but decided to head for Ventnor as planned. Ventnor was only a few k’s along the coast and much of the distance was along the top of a cliff. There were occasional glimpses of settlements down by the water but the village itself is perched up high. We found a park and wandered around – found a café and ordered the requisite daily coffee. Every coffee is different and this one was no exception. Our double shot espresso was a basically a short black – but it was drinkable so we couldn’t really complain.

Our car park was a 30 minute one so we motored on heading for the beach. This was not the easiest thing to do as the road was one way, narrow and zig zagged its way down. We managed to get there in one piece and went for a walk. Ventnor is typical of these coastal towns with bath houses, a promenade and scattered with an assortment of cafes, shops, amusement parks and pubs. The weather was not great and my umbrella that I had lugged from NZ (never been opened before) – when I opened it up was all rusted. It did hold together but I doubt I will be taking it home at the end of this holiday. That’s what happens when you store something for years without using it!

Jo-anne our hostess at Fernbank (lodgings) told us to go back to Cowes (East side) to have a look at Osborne House. This was the home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and was where QV died in 1902. Prince Albert had Osborne House built and it was his pride and joy. The Queen and Albert had many children (9 we think) which was pretty good going as Albert died when he was 42! We toured the house and visited QV bedroom where she passed away and she had a photograph of Albert attached to the headboard of her bed where it had been ever since he died! Although theirs was an arranged marriage it was a very loving one and there were many lovely comments from Victoria’s diary to confirm it. There was also mention of Mr Brown the Highland groomsman immortalised by Billy Connolly in the film Mr Brown (I think that’s what it was called anyway). Osborne House is a wonderful place but we found some of the exhibits very dark and hard to see. There were many paintings with no description by them so we had to guess what they were. It was also not as well signposted as other places such as Hampton Court, so there were rooms where we had to guess what they might have been used for. Having said that, the decoration of walls and ceilings was magnificent and most lavish. Outside, the gardens were lovely and quite extensive. The whole property covers 342 acres and there are mini buses and horse drawn carriages if one runs out of steam. I’m happy to say we didn’t. We decided to join the English Heritage society as this gives us free admission to any future heritage sites.

Kev had the whip out once we got home as he wanted to go and look at the Shanklyn beach. We set off down a steep hill towards the coast. There was no way that Jannie was going to take the lift down to the beach level – maybe 8-10 stories so it was a walk down the zigzag. When we got there we decided to stop at a seaside pub for a beer and wine and spent an enjoyable hour watching the many boats in the channel. Straight out from where we looked was France – probably about 25 miles away! After our drink we wandered along the waterside and noticed several parked cars containing people asleep – 3 in a row would you believe. By the time we made our way back up the hill the rain was setting in again – damn it.

Sorry Stu we ran out of time to see the zoo! Did our best though. Didnt know you had been here and been yachting. Dad said to tell you there's been lots of harbours, fishing boats, yachts and submarines. Not sure what that's about!

Good to get your comments guys - we are now on tenderhooks to make sure we keep up to date! And Mary is coming out of retirement tomorrow as we head off to Lyme Regis via Salisbury (Stone Henge).

Talk soon. Love to all. J&K