Isle of Wight
We had intended to have another trip to the continent but unfortunately our multi-trip travel insurance has expired. We arranged it through the Caravan and Motorhome Club last year and our intention had been to renew it. Unfortunately the underwriters are not renewing the contract so we will be looking for new insurance. At our age that could prove difficult and expensive.
So, for the time being we will be taking trips closer to home, visiting our favourite places and including visits to friends and family and hopefully a trip to Jersey to see our grandchildren.
We also wanted to visit the Isle of Wight. John took a school party there forty years ago and I visited when I was very young.
Sunday 7th June
We packed the motorhome before heading off at noon. Being a Sunday there were virtually no lorries on the roads so we made good progress to our overnight Britstop, Four Marks Golf Club.
It was a very peaceful spot and we enjoyed a tasty evening meal in the club house before having a quiet evening.
Monday 8th June
We woke to very heavy rain so our drive to the ferry terminal for the Isle of Wight ferry was not easy. We stopped for an early lunch before heading to catch the 1pm ferry to Cowes.
The boat was busy and very crowded and with the very heavy rain we could see very little as we sailed down the Solent. The weather gradually improved and we had a glimpse of Calshot Castle on the New Forest bank.
From Cowes we headed to our pre-booked pitch on the Orchards Holiday Park.
Tuesday 9th June
After a quiet night, today dawned bright and sunny but windy. We headed to Carisbrook Castle where the approach was up a steep hill with a narrow section which was controlled by traffic lights.
The original structure was an Anglo Saxon earthwork built as defence against Viking Raids. About AD1100 a stone built Motte and Bailey castle was built within the existing enclosure by Richard de Redvers, Lord of the Isle of Wight. The castle was held by his family for almost two hundred years.
Charles the First was held at Carisbrooke after his defeat in the Civil War.
During Victorian times, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter used the castle s her summer residence - her garden can be visited.
Nowadays, the castle's donkeys take pride of place as they demonstrate the tread mill which once raised water from the castle well.
We enjoyed a very tasty lunch at the castle's small but very busy cafe. In the afternoon it rained heavily so we retreated to the museum established by Princess Beatrice in 1898, the oldest museum in the island. We were hoping to finish our visit by walking the walls but they were closed for safety reasons after the heavy rain.
So, for the time being we will be taking trips closer to home, visiting our favourite places and including visits to friends and family and hopefully a trip to Jersey to see our grandchildren.
We also wanted to visit the Isle of Wight. John took a school party there forty years ago and I visited when I was very young.
Sunday 7th June
We packed the motorhome before heading off at noon. Being a Sunday there were virtually no lorries on the roads so we made good progress to our overnight Britstop, Four Marks Golf Club.
It was a very peaceful spot and we enjoyed a tasty evening meal in the club house before having a quiet evening.
Monday 8th June
We woke to very heavy rain so our drive to the ferry terminal for the Isle of Wight ferry was not easy. We stopped for an early lunch before heading to catch the 1pm ferry to Cowes.
The boat was busy and very crowded and with the very heavy rain we could see very little as we sailed down the Solent. The weather gradually improved and we had a glimpse of Calshot Castle on the New Forest bank.
From Cowes we headed to our pre-booked pitch on the Orchards Holiday Park.
Tuesday 9th June
After a quiet night, today dawned bright and sunny but windy. We headed to Carisbrook Castle where the approach was up a steep hill with a narrow section which was controlled by traffic lights.
The original structure was an Anglo Saxon earthwork built as defence against Viking Raids. About AD1100 a stone built Motte and Bailey castle was built within the existing enclosure by Richard de Redvers, Lord of the Isle of Wight. The castle was held by his family for almost two hundred years.
Charles the First was held at Carisbrooke after his defeat in the Civil War.
During Victorian times, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter used the castle s her summer residence - her garden can be visited.
Nowadays, the castle's donkeys take pride of place as they demonstrate the tread mill which once raised water from the castle well.
We enjoyed a very tasty lunch at the castle's small but very busy cafe. In the afternoon it rained heavily so we retreated to the museum established by Princess Beatrice in 1898, the oldest museum in the island. We were hoping to finish our visit by walking the walls but they were closed for safety reasons after the heavy rain.
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Wednesday 10th June
Our first visit of the day was to Yarmouth, a small coastal village with a grid system of streets dating back to the time of the Normans. The castle was he last of Henry VIII's coastal defence forts built to protect the island from invasion by the French. The interior rooms contained detailed information describing their use.
Our first visit of the day was to Yarmouth, a small coastal village with a grid system of streets dating back to the time of the Normans. The castle was he last of Henry VIII's coastal defence forts built to protect the island from invasion by the French. The interior rooms contained detailed information describing their use.
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Yarmouth's wooden Victorian pier is the longest in England. For a pound (honesty box) the view from the end was impressive. Unfortunately the small hut at the end of the pier was locked so we were unable to learn more about the pier's history.
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down are National Trust and there are lots of car parks overlooking the coast. We stopped for lunch in a car park overlooking Freshwater Bay.
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down are National Trust and there are lots of car parks overlooking the coast. We stopped for lunch in a car park overlooking Freshwater Bay.
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After lunch we visited Mottistone Gardens with its colourful formal gardens and small Elizabethan house.
First mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, the manor as it stands today was created during the 15th and 16th centuries. Charles Seeley bought the house and estate in 1861 and it is still owned by the Seeley family. John Seeley's wife, Lady Vivien Nicholson laid out the vibrant gardens in the 1960s. Jack Seeley's horse, Warrior survived the First World War as a real life "War Horse".
First mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, the manor as it stands today was created during the 15th and 16th centuries. Charles Seeley bought the house and estate in 1861 and it is still owned by the Seeley family. John Seeley's wife, Lady Vivien Nicholson laid out the vibrant gardens in the 1960s. Jack Seeley's horse, Warrior survived the First World War as a real life "War Horse".
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During our visit it started to rain heavily. Time to head back to our pitch at Orchards Holiday Park!
Thursday 11th June
A wet, windy and cold day meant that we had a slow start. We went to Morrison's to do some food shopping and had lunch in their cafe. Pensioners Fish and Chip meal deal was amazing value! The rain had eased off on our way back to the campsite so we made a brief visit to Calbourne Water Mill, the oldest working water mill on the island and also mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Friday 12th June
A much brighter and sunnier day which we spent at Osborne House. Queen Victoria's husband Albert had tried to buy nearby Norris Castle but the owner refused to sell. As a result, Albert had Osborne House built with the help of Thomas Cubit in the late 1840s. This was to be their private holiday home where they could escape from court life in London. The Italianate style became known as tyhe Osborne style.
A tour through the many rooms of the house gave the visitor a sense of the house's treasures as well as an insight into the lives of Victoria, Albert and their children.
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We visited the Swiss Cottage, where the children were taught through play how to run a household, and wandered the gardens where they played.
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We completed our visit by walking to the estate's beach which the children often visited with their governess. We were grateful to find there was a shuttle bus back to the house as by then we were tired!
Saturday 13th June
Today dawned bright and sunny so it was a perfect day to drive the coastal route round the island. The road along the southern coast was very scenic and unexpectedly, not too busy. We parked with the intention of walking to St. Catherine's Oratory but the steep climb up to it proved too hard for us.
From there, we drove up the east coast which is far more built up than the other end of the island where we are staying. We were heading to Brading Roman Villa which has some rather fine mosaics.
Saturday 13th June
Today dawned bright and sunny so it was a perfect day to drive the coastal route round the island. The road along the southern coast was very scenic and unexpectedly, not too busy. We parked with the intention of walking to St. Catherine's Oratory but the steep climb up to it proved too hard for us.
From there, we drove up the east coast which is far more built up than the other end of the island where we are staying. We were heading to Brading Roman Villa which has some rather fine mosaics.
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Sunday 14th June
After a leisurely start to the day we headed to the Shipwreck and Maritime Museum located in Arreton Barns. The museum's founder was a professional diver who dived on wrecks as a hobby.
A very detailed introductory film explained the use of boats and ships from pre-historic to modern times and then gave an introduction to each of the museum's areas. We then spent almost three hours wandering the museum. Asa result, lunch was rather late!
After a leisurely start to the day we headed to the Shipwreck and Maritime Museum located in Arreton Barns. The museum's founder was a professional diver who dived on wrecks as a hobby.
A very detailed introductory film explained the use of boats and ships from pre-historic to modern times and then gave an introduction to each of the museum's areas. We then spent almost three hours wandering the museum. Asa result, lunch was rather late!
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Before leaving Arreton Barns we visited Wight Classic Cars, a dedicated classic car workshop, obviously closed on a Sunday, but parked outside was a 1950's Rolls Royce, a Triumph Herald, a Jaguar XJS, a mini-moke under a cover and a Volkswagen split screen camper van. We wandered through the tiny village and looked inside the pre-Norman church.
Back at the campsite it was warm and calm enough to sit outside for the first time. In the field next us there were some cows. I had to explain to John that they were not "Cowes"!!
Back at the campsite it was warm and calm enough to sit outside for the first time. In the field next us there were some cows. I had to explain to John that they were not "Cowes"!!
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Monday 15th June
A short drive back through Newport took us to the Godshill Model Village - an absolute gem. It was first established in 1952 and continues to be one of the islands most visited attractions. The gardens are a R.H.S. partner while the 1/10 scale models show life on the island as it was in the 1920s and 30s.
Not only are the models of the buildings in proportion, so are the plants and trees. A gardener told us that he trims hedges, lawns and trees at least three times a week.
The route through each area of the garden was clearly marked and there were seats for those, including John, who needed them! There was also a shelter in case of rain.
In the grounds of the Old Vicarage is a model of the model, 1/100 scale and within that is a model of the model of the model, 1/1000 scale!
Different scenes depict life in the village and neighbouring areas - Shanklin Chine, a railway (G gauge), airfield, cricket and football matches, golf and athletics.
A short drive back through Newport took us to the Godshill Model Village - an absolute gem. It was first established in 1952 and continues to be one of the islands most visited attractions. The gardens are a R.H.S. partner while the 1/10 scale models show life on the island as it was in the 1920s and 30s.
Not only are the models of the buildings in proportion, so are the plants and trees. A gardener told us that he trims hedges, lawns and trees at least three times a week.
The route through each area of the garden was clearly marked and there were seats for those, including John, who needed them! There was also a shelter in case of rain.
In the grounds of the Old Vicarage is a model of the model, 1/100 scale and within that is a model of the model of the model, 1/1000 scale!
Different scenes depict life in the village and neighbouring areas - Shanklin Chine, a railway (G gauge), airfield, cricket and football matches, golf and athletics.
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Before heading back to the campsite we visited Appuldurcombe House. This 18th century Baroque mansion, now a shell, was at one time, the grandest house on the island. Eleven acres of ornamental gardens, designed by Capability Brown, surrounded the house which was owned by Sir Richard Worsley, the 7th baronet, who gained notoriety for a 1782 court case in which his wife, Seymour, admitted to having had 27 lovers.
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Tuesday 16th June
Decided we needed a rest day today as tomorrow we head home and the next day we have a two hour drive to the Fiat garage in Norwich.
The motorhome dealer in Germany had insisted that our water ingress issues were Fiat's problem so we had booked in for them to have a look at it. Oakwell had agreed that we should do that first and then get back to them if necessary.
We went to Freshwater to fill up with diesel and buy food for today and the journey home. In the afternoon we relaxed back at the campsite.
Wednesday 17th June.
An early start. The Isle of Wight Festival starts tomorrow and by 10.00 a.m. the road to our ferry is closed! We decided to get there early and spend a couple of hours more at Osborne House. On our first visit we had viewed the house, Swiss Cottage and beach but not had chance to see much of the grounds around the house.
Decided we needed a rest day today as tomorrow we head home and the next day we have a two hour drive to the Fiat garage in Norwich.
The motorhome dealer in Germany had insisted that our water ingress issues were Fiat's problem so we had booked in for them to have a look at it. Oakwell had agreed that we should do that first and then get back to them if necessary.
We went to Freshwater to fill up with diesel and buy food for today and the journey home. In the afternoon we relaxed back at the campsite.
Wednesday 17th June.
An early start. The Isle of Wight Festival starts tomorrow and by 10.00 a.m. the road to our ferry is closed! We decided to get there early and spend a couple of hours more at Osborne House. On our first visit we had viewed the house, Swiss Cottage and beach but not had chance to see much of the grounds around the house.
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Headed to the ferry terminal and arrived just in time to be put on an earlier boat. A good journey home until we got to Cambridge. Then it was a slow crawl to Ely in rush hour traffic.
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