10th August 09:20pm, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

The passage Portsmouth - Ryde: I would have really liked to travel by hovercraft but those depart from Southsea and cost about 20% more than the catamaran, which itself costs 20% more than the ferry. So I crossed the Solent on the 'Wight Ryder II', an obvious reference to Knight Rider for comic effect. The crossing, which took 15 minutes, was rather uneventful (duh, it was only a quarter hour, so what do you expect?). When I arrived in Ryde there was a train service from the end of the pier, where the catamaran docked, into the actual town.They do this because the pier is so ridiculously long (exactly half a mile: I measured!). It would've cost me £3 but I'm not stupid (nor filthily rich) and hence went on foot. I purchased a 7day buspass once again and off I went to Shanklin.

Once in Shanklin I first enquired at 'The George House', where I was welcomed by a grey-haired man in cycling clothes. I asked if he was George, upon which he seemed confused but he nonetheless offered me 4 nights for a good price. But, the gambler I am, I chanced it and declined politely and continued to 'Roseberry Guest House', where I was welcomed by a curvaceous young lady in a tracksuit (it must have been Sports Week, I thought). She could offer me a single room for up to 7 nights and it became cheaper as we went along. Staying seven nights and paying cash all leveled down the price. As it stands now, I pay £200 for 7 nights for a room with intact door-handles and breakfast included. Now do your maths yourself...

Yesterday my main activity was bus travel. From Shanklin to Newport to Yarmouth to Alum Bay, where I went to see the Needles. From Alum Bay there was another bus service up the hill to the Needles. It would've cost me £2.60 but, again, I'm not stupid (nor filthily rich) and hence went on foot. However, I think I missed the point of the whole thing: When you are standing on top of this hill you can't actually see the Needles very well (much like you don't see a great deal of the White Cliffs of Dover when you are standing on top of them). So the Needles proved to be a bit Needless and not all too spectacular. So I took a bus back to Shanklin. It took two hours exactly, mostly because the bus was jolting through Thorley, Borley and Chorley and because the roads are precisely 1.5 car-widths wide. Plus, these buses are perfectly designed to bring up your breakfast again...
Not that it would have happened to me or to anyone else on the bus. I'm just saying.

Today, after breakfast and doing the laundry in the bathroom sink I went downhill to the Promenade. I didn't take the LIFT (see photos). It would've cost me £1.50 but, for the last time I promise, I'm not stupid (nor filthily rich) and hence went of foot. I engaged in a round of pitch and putt with a couple from Bristol; I won by a narrow margin. However, I wasn't so lucky with my choice for afternoon tea. The cafe was alright, cream tea at a reasonable price, but I got into a group of American pensioners, who truely enjoyed the afternoon entertainment. I finished my tea and left, after having endured one hour of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como. I think I could've managed either Sinatra or Como, but both together, plus 40 American pensioners; you will agree that this is a lethal dose of sentimentality.

The next days I'll be traveling around the island. Tracksuit-girl from my hotel suggested exploring the island on horseback. I told her that I might try; at least it would be good for a laugh, wouldn't it?

PS: Remember Emma, The Lady Hamilton? She was of course the mistress of Lord Horatio Nelson, the hero of Abu Qir and Trafalgar. 10 points for knowing...

Keep walking...

johnniewalker