Isle of Wight in a Day

Having lived on the South Coast and been able to see the Isle of Wight from the shore most days I thought it was high time I payed the island a visit. James and I booked a day trip on the ferry from Portsmouth then did a search on their tourist website so we could decide what we could squeeze into one day.

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We started by turning left as we came out of the ferry terminal so we could drive around the island in a clockwise direction. The first stop was a windmill in Bembridge . Unfortunately it didn't open until 11am but we jumped the fence so we could walk around the outside. It has been reconditioned and was huge. It was perched on top of a hill so there was also a good view of the surrounding countryside.

Next stop was some disappointing botanical gardens at Ventnor. They were attached to a garden centre and a lot of it appeared to have died. From there were got a pub lunch of fish and chips before driving to see the Needles on the eastern tip of the island. We must have picked the windiest day of the year, it was almost impossible to hold the camera still. Whilst the Needles were good to look at there was an old 50's style funfair and some tacky tourist shops aimed at selling rock and filling glass bottles with coloured sand. It was a shame because it made the whole area look run down and slightly cheap.

From the Needles we drove into the centre of the island to Carisbrooke for what turned out to be the highlight of the day. Carisbrooke castle was interesting to look around and seemed to have been kept in good condition. Charles the first had been imprisoned there prior to being executed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell among others.

From Carisbrooke we went onto Cowes for a wander around the town and dinner before making our way back to the ferry port. Although it was a good day I came away with the feeling the Isle of Wight was a bit run down. A lot of work needs to be done to the worn roads and considering tourism is one of their main industries their attractions could do with some work too.

France 2010

On the 26 June James and I were lucky enough to set off for France to stay in Maison de Pruniers for the second time on the grounds of the Chateau de vigiers close to Bergerac. This time we were accompanied by Charles and Sarah. A lot of preparation had gone into the trip. As the boys had decided it was their opportunity to travel in style, though not necessarily in comfort, it was the goal for both of them to have fancy cars in time for the holiday. James sorted this out by February this year when he invested in his canon red Lotus Elise 111R. Charles however cut it close by finding his Mercedes SL500 at the end of May, it did however put a permanent smile on his face. We again took the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, this time fast cat, and true to it name it was. From Caen we drove to the house in about 9 hours which includes a few short stops and some lunch. Even though I knew what it looked like the house is still impressive and the surroundings beautiful. I think the others felt the same.

Pictures from France

Having spent so long travelling on the Saturday we decided Sunday was to be a day of rest. All we did was visit the supermarket to stock up on cheese, meats, breads and pudding of course. This seemed to set the tone for the rest of the holiday during which we all felt continuously full having eaten so much. The rest of the day was taken lazing around the pool, watching England crash out of the world cup and watching some of the tennis from Wimbledon. Such a hard life.

During the rest of the holiday we made an effort to spend lots of time in a similar way with many hours whiled away by the pool reading, playing cards and chess. We did however go on a few day trips. On Monday we made our way to Ste-Foy-la-Grande the local town for lunch and a stroll along part of the Dordorgne. On the Tuesday we drove to St Emillion to sample some of the local wine following a tour around an old limestone quarry beneath a chateau. The wine at St Emillion is so good because of the water drainage the limestone plateau the town is built on provides. However the limestone was also good as a building material so for many years it was quarried and shipped to Bordeaux until this was made illegal to protect the wine industry. The journey back from St Emillion was fun too. We had all squeezed into Charles car, and I do mean squeezed. It only has little seats at the back so the front seats have to be moved as far forward as possible to get everyone in. You then sit slightly wonky in the back to get your knees in. Whilst driving home Charles went over a hump back bridge slightly too fast and the roll bar on the back of the car popped up. I was lucky but poor Sarah got a thwack to the back of her head. At least it worked I guess.

On the Wednesday we went to the market in Bergerac. It was a large market surrounding the church in the centre and had everything from fruit and vegetables to meat, breads, clothes, jewellery and wicker baskets. From there we drove a little South to the Chateau at Monbazillac. It is a 400 year old house and was interesting to look around. We also tasted some of the sweet desert wine they produce there. Surprisingly even James liked it so we had to invest in a couple of bottles.

On Thursday we hired two canoes and had a paddle along the Dordogne from Bergerac to Gardonne. The French girl we hired them from apparently used to live in Bristol, a few doors down on the same road as Charles had when he was at University. Proof the world is smaller than it used to be. The canoeing was good fun though a little on the hot side. The whole time we were in France the temperature ranged from about 30 to 38 degrees. Hats and suncream have been a must and we have all come away with slight panda eyes from our glasses. For the most part we were able to drift along the river because the current in the centre was so strong. Along the edges of the river where there was shade the water was much slower so paddling was required. It was fun to paddle against the current in the centre of the river. With two people rowing as hard as we could we only managed to move a few meters up river.

Friday and Saturday were rest days. On the Friday night we caught the train into Bergerac for some dinner which we followed with amazing ice creams from a shop with almost too much choice. I went for the blackcurrant flavour in the end which was amazing. One I think I will try at home with my ice cream maker. Saturday morning Charles and I drove to the train station to collect his car. I was insured on James car for this trip so I could have a go. On the way back we found the road to be blocked by about a dozen horses which had escaped from a nearby field. As a result we took a long and unsuccessful diversion to see if we could find the back entrance to the Chateau. Of course we couldn't so had to go back the normal way once the horses had been moved by the police. We had been gone so long that we found James wandering towards the chateau entrance thinking I had driven his car into a ditch.

A few evenings we had thunder storms after dark, though it didn't really rain. We stood out and watched the lightening in the distance several times. Others nights it was so warm that we sat out and watched the stars, even watched the moon rise on one occasion. Jackets were not needed at all and it only got dark after 10pm each day.

Sunday we had to get up at stupid o'clock in the morning to catch the ferry at Caen in the afternoon. We made such good time that we managed to sit on the beach in Caen with a picnic before starting the trip back to the UK. We sat on deck with cocktails in the sunshine before having a posh buffet dinner. Traveling by ferry is far better than air travel I think. As we came closer to the UK the skies became overcast and the water more choppy. Easy to tell we were nearly home.

Tower of London

Yesterday evening James, Sarah, Charles and I started our holiday early. As Charles' dad is in the army we managed to get invites to a Champagne party at the Tower of London which is his base.

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We travelled up on the train with gin and tonics provided by Charles, then caught the tube to the tower. It was nice to go and see it all without loads of tourists around. It was also nice to have an excuse to dress up. After the Champagne we made our way round to St Catherines dock for a pizza dinner before getting a lift home with Charles parents.

Friends Reunited

This weekend Lucy, Lee, Jez and Ashmai came to Emsworth. It was the first weekend since the beginning of August 2008 that everyone managed to be free at the same time. Thankfully we have a big enough house that there was room for everyone. Lucy and Lee arrived first from Cambridge closely followed by Jez. We started with some welcome drinks before having a wander around the mill pond to show them the best of Emsworth. On the Saturday evening we went for dinner to Nicolinos the little italian resturant with mammoth portions. It was a leisurely meal that left us full to bursting point. Jez even treated us to some bubbles to celebrate our get together.

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On the sunday I woke early to collect Ashmai from the train station. When we got back to the house the others were just getting out of bed. It didn't take long to get ready though before heading off to West Wittering beach with a picnic. Jez had brought a frisbee with him which it turned out too windy for, but we did have a go. Whilst Jez and Lee went off to get a football James had a go at flying a kite and the girls had a good catch up. We were not expecting the huge red and black football the boys returned with. Only when they got closer did we realise it was a beach ball. That was also quite light and got caught in the wind, not before Lucy and I had a chance to show off our girly kicking skills, or lack of as the case may be.


Jez also had a go at flying the kite before challenging Ashmai to a run around East Head, the natural sandy Spit that makes up West Witting beach. Ash did really well and got all the way around only to let Jez do it a second time. Far too much energy for his own good.
After a few hours on the beach we headed back to the house to have a BBQ, not that we hadn't eaten enough already. Most of it was healthy though. Whilst I was getting the food ready James took everyone out for a ride in the Lotus. Better before they had eaten I thought. By the time dinner was over and we had taken a few photos it was quite late in the evening so I took Ashmai and Jez back to the station for their trip back to London. Lucy and Lee were staying another night so they would have a shorter trip to the airport the next day as they were off to Kenya for a week. We finished the evening in the Coal Exchange.

All in all a lovely weekend with good weather and great company. A far overdue reunion. We have promised not to leave it so long again and plan to see each other more regularly too.

Camping weekend

Having cancelled a trip to Croyde in Devon last year due to rain, James and I made it there this weekend. After two days we were joined by Stuart and Nick. We were lucky enough not to have a spot of rain so camping was good fun.

We stayed at the same campsite as a few years ago but this time we were joined by a group of ducks whilst setting up the tent. The first evening we went for a wander on the beach then ate an enormous dinner at the local pub before watching gladiator 2 (erm Robin Hood) at an old fashioned cinema in the local town.

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The next morning we woke early because it was so hot in the tent. Then following a breakfast cooked in the tent we drove to Woolacombe beach as Croyde had no waves. It was lovely and warm so it made for a nice afternoon. I had my first go at surfing in what must be around two years and managed to stand very early on so finished the afternoon feeling very chuffed with myself. James an I then climbed up a sand dune on Croyde beach to watch the sun set. About 9.30 we were joined by Stuart and Nick so had some drinks before bed.

On the Saturday we went to Woolacombe again to have a surf. There were very few waves but it picked up a little in the afternoon. I managed to stand several times again before heading back to the tent. After another enormous meal we caught a cab into Woolacombe again to visit the local club. Well the only club in Devon it seems. Not great to be honest but we did get to dance a little.

The last day we had to pack up camp by 11am. After this we had the mandatory pasty before sitting on Putsborough beach for the afternoon. Lots of sun but no surf, it was still a lovely afternoon. All in all it was great to get away. Although I have only spent 4 days in Devon I feel as though I have been away on holiday because the weather was so good. I have even caught some sun, can't quite say I am brown though.

Splashing about in the summer

We have finally had some reliable sun this year and as a result we have all made an effort to get out on the water. Having threatened to get a kayak for several years now I have actually got around to doing it. I bid on ebay and managed to win a bright yellow kayak.

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Apart from being very heavy and needing two people to carry it to the water, it is still good fun to paddle around. Though not always in a straight line.

Nottingham

It has been the hottest weekend of the year so far and James and I made our way to visit Joe and Durga on the outskirts of Nottingham. As we left after work we made a dinner stop approximately half way. The last thing we wanted to do was spend a fortune on some greasy food at a service station. Instead we took a random road off the motorway and drove until we found a village. We were lucky to find one with a quaint pub set outside a large cricket green. We ate whilst watching lots of small children having cricket lessons.

Click here for the pictures.

On Saturday we made the most of the sunshine and drove a short way into the Peak District to go for a walk. Joe has recently bought himself an old red lotus. We drove in a convoy of two Lotus Elise cars, one old one new, one bright and one dark red. We walked for about three hours in the peaks. We had deliberately chosen a gentle walk along a river so we could stay in the shade for a while. There was an old lead mine shaft which we stopped to have a look at. The owner of the mine had built his house above the opening of the shaft to stop it from flooding with rain water. This house is now a ruin but it was interesting to see. The highlight of the walk was finding a beautiful field that had been allowed to grow wild. It was completely covered in thousands of dandelions, a sea of yellow.

That evening we went for a drink in Nottingham. The weather made it feel more like being on holiday somewhere in the Mediterranean. Joe and Durga suggested a top floor bar that had a large balcony so we could sit outside. Of course once home the boys insisted in ordering giant kebabs, which in Nottingham you can get delivered like a take away.

On Sunday the weather was even better. We had lunch sitting in the garden of a pub then went to take the obligatory photos of the two cars parked next together. We then left to make the three and a half hour journey home. It was so hot we couldn't drive with the roof off for fear of looking like a beetroot by the time we got home.