Looking out over the Solent towards Hampshire

Freshwater Bay

Yarmouth Bay

Yarmouth Marina

Colwell Bay, our local beach

Carisbrooke Castle

Site of the first Isle of Wight Festival, 1970

Above Yarmouth

Steephill Cove

Sunset from Colwell Bay

The path down to the beach

Saturday

Journey – traffic – lots of accidents listed on SatNav – thought we would miss the ferry, but arrived at Southampton at 1:33.

Sunny crossing, nearly sat at front of boat, third row back, but I found at the rear of the boat window seats. Emma and Nick sat in the front seats for a while and I sat opposite in front in the rear window seat. We were entertained for much of the journey by jet skies buzzing around the back of the boat like flies, one trying to lose his passenger, who was struggling to hang onto his standing driver. We were also entertained by two little girls coming to the window to look out with their dads. Half way through the journey, Nick realised that we could go out on deck and we went to the front and then the rear decks, the rear deck being the smoking deck, better to leave the smoke behind.

We arrived at 3;45, still in brilliant sun and heat to our holiday rental semi. Being hungry I walked with Emma to the local Co-op and we bought some scones and clotted cream realising, as we enjoyed these in the garden that we had missed lunch!

We all then walked to the beach though Lucy ducked out at the point of arrival and was joined by Nick. Emma and I had a swim, in fact I went in twice. What a great beach! The tide was fairly high, the sandy beach shallow and we marvelled at the clear water completely free of seaweed.

As Emma was taking ages to brave the cold water a woman walking deeper smiled at us and said a friend of hers had said to her yesterday to just keep walking. After our swim, the women eventually returned and Emma commented that she we had wondered if her friend had reminded her to stop walking, as she had swum out so far. It turned out she was local, having moved here 13 years ago. She seemed to swim out for miles and we were worried she would be okay. We stopped for a shared bottle of cider at the beach bar, getting a table outside overlooking Colwell Bay and the deep blue of the sea, sharing a bottle as it was after 7:00. Ringing home we agreed on Fish & Chips for dinner. Emma and I rang and ordered, which turned out to be a good plan as our local closed at 8:00. Nick and I cycled to pick up the Fish & Chips and a few bits.

Sunday

The following morning Nick went for a cycle ride, taking in Freshwater Bay and the road to Alum Bay and The Needles. Emma and I eventually made it to the beach for a swim, the tide was fairly high and the water a bit choppy. I went in for two swims, the second being really enjoyable, getting into a pattern of swimming between two breakwaters, as if lengths. We came back and Nick cycled out to get some goodies for lunch, including seafood sticks, and spinach for salad. Sat around in the afternoon feeling a bit tired, with the girls who were watching a very strange cartoon.

Sunday late afternoon we all drove down to Freshwater Bay for a look, having debated with Nick if it would be too hilly for me to cycle there. The shingle beach turned out not to be as nice as Colwell and the water also seemed cooler there. We drove on following some of Nick’s morning ride, as far as we could and on to a great view of The Needles, although only from the Alum Bay car park and tourist centre, and then on to Highdown Pub for a drink in their attractive garden full of flowers, with Berry Fruit Cider on draft. Inside the pub felt really comfortable and old fashioned with the World Cup on and a stack of papers to read and relax with. The decor with lots of objets d’art on painted dressers, wooden tables etc. We got home and cooked a late dinner of paella which was yummy.

Monday

On Monday Emma and I arrived at the beach to find the car park half empty. We were surprised until we remembered that it was a school day and we were on holiday during school time. Emma and I took a walk down the beach to see where was the best place for us to settle on the beach. We left our bags and walked to a holiday park. I wondered how long the whitewased wooden holiday shed/hut would last being only around three metres from the edge, although it looked well kept, even fairly recently painted. I swam and we were about to get an ice cream having missed this yesterday when Nick arrived and paddled with Emma while I swam again, and we then each had a double ice cream together, sitting on the wall in on the path above before heading back to the holiday home for lunch.

When we got back I cycled out to pick up some wholewheat rolls from the bakery. Eventually I went to the beach at 4:00, this time on my own and ended up swimming three times, using the breakwaters to swim between. Although I had said I would be back by 5:00 for a walk, I did not get back until six. The sea was still warm, but as the tide was coming in there were definitely cool patches. Met another couple in the water the woman seeing me swimming asked me if it was warm when you got in and I had to say warm with cool patches. They later told me they had retired to Ryde but came over to swim at Colwell Bay, telling me this it the best beach.

When I rang Lucy was in no rush to go out, saying take your time and when I rang again, Nick had just woken up. Nick is definitely catching up on both his cycling and his sleep here. I got back host before 6.00 and we went for a geocaching walk up to the fort on the hill at the other side of the village. This was a huge sunken hexagonal fort with large sash windows and corner doors hidden as if built in a moat with a central courtyard. Although I had changed into short leggings and a tea shirt it felt so hot walking there and still warm as we walked back to the cottage at around 8:30, picking up some battered chicken pieces (a reduced Chinese ready meal) on the way home, Nick rushing up yummy vegetable noodles to go with.

Tuesday

Tuesday was another beautiful day. We made a visit to Aunt Anne, taking flowers and cherries. This proved a really pleasant easy day. We arrived on the dot of 12:30 (mum) and were welcomed by an exuberant Aunt Anne. She was full of having been to M & S that morning and had bought a big lasagne, cous cous and salad, with fruit salad to follow. Aunt Anne was very pleased at having got herself a pale pink pleated gillet in a sale there. We chatted about Sarah’s wedding, my mum and various other relatives on her side, with mention of her connection to the Guinness family, must try to find out what that is. We were told we were sitting under a tree, a cutting having been give her 30 years ago by …. and having originated from ….. How nice to be sitting under a tree with royal roots! In the afternoon, we swam in Aunt Anne’s pool, even Lucy and Nick, Nick having to borrow Lucy’s man’s swim shorts! and then Nick and Lucy made tea which we drank under the tree, Aunt Ann making grateful comments on the good service provided. We left at 5:30, after struggling to get a good group photo, giving up on a pic under the tree, opting for a bench outside the house.

Wednesday

Weather overcast, although still really warm when taking in the morning. Nick again cycled to Yarmouth down the estuary. I was contemplating doing the same at my own pace, but then noticed that I had lost my expensive silver water bottle, realising I had left it on the beach when changing into a warm top – Bum! Immediately cycled down to see if, by any chance it was still there. Fruitless, although bit was already 10:00 – not telling the girls. Nick joined me, buzzing around impatient for his ride. No water bottle but I swam incidentally. Met a woman who had just been in, so despite it starting to rain, thought I could at least say I had swum in the rain and thought I might prefer this to cycling in the rain. It proved to be a shower that was gone by the time I had got into my swimsuit and the sky seem cleared offering hazy sunshine for a very pleasant swim in glassy waters. Just did two lengths between breakwaters, walked down to view the Hut restaurant where I saw you could pay up to £120.00 for a special cooked lobster, possibly for two.

In the afternoon we went to Carisbrooke Castle….

Strange grey mist that looked like rain over the sea and mainland, approaching inland. We stopped by Freshwater Bay, seeing divers and then home. Emma and I went to the beach at 7.00pm for me to have an evening swim. I was sure the dense grey cloud would come inland causing it to rain but it stayed on the horizon, the sun popping up to give me a hazy sunny swim. The water was dead calm and warm. I managed three lengths between breakwaters. Emma and I were concerned that we had settled near a blue towel, T-shirt and shoes, but could not see anyone swimming. As I got dressed we saw a swimmer in the distance. It turned out he had been to Totland Bay, about a 45 minute swim, depending on the tide!

Thursday

Went for yet another swim in the morning. The beach was a little cool and Emma and I both had goose bumps. I did go in for a second swim before we came back. We missed the wind break today; did not realise we had one in the car.

Came home and had lunch in the garden and sat about chilling.

Went out to eat at the Red Lion. Sat in the garden chatting until a table was available.

Friday

Woke to a beautifully sunny day, the temperature estimated to max at 26c and no wind! Emma and I went for an early morning swim ….actually going out at 10.30. The tide was out, the sea calm and the water beautifully clear again in a way that I have not seen in England before. Emma and I swimming together, although she spent some of that swim walking, not sure why. We chatted together then I went for second glorious swim. We stayed until nearly 12.30, returning so that we could go out to Ventnor and find the Crab Shed, a crab café somewhere on the beach front. As they only serve from 12:00 to 3:00 we agreed to try to go out at around one to one thirty. Got back shortly before Nick, had a quick shower and we all travelled the half hour there, taking the senic route across the plane, huge flat fields. Ventnor by contrast seemed to be built on steep hillside.

We drove through town, which was largely filled by quaint victorian houses , going to the wrong through the town only to find that we were at the wrong end. Asked a pausing cabbie the way and travelled out of town again, finally finding the route down to ‘Steephill Cove’ near the Botanical Gardens. Steep step, hand rail not helpful as leaning so far away from the steps.

Finally found the Crab Shed on a very quaint, designer run-down cove, full of café’s fishing boats and a small semi-circular beach, with huge rocks to protect the coastline. Has a delicious meal, reasonably priced at around £32 for the four of us. Nick had the crab pastie with salad, Emma a prawn and guacamole wrap, I had a crab sandwich, and Lucy a halumi wrap. We had taken our own drinks as Karli had suggested, but it turned out that we could only drink if what we consumed was non alcoholic! After our meal we ambled over to the beach and drank our fruit ciders, what a treat!

The water looked a little choppy, but was warm and Emma and I decided to try a swim. This turned out to be a really lovely swim, the water warm and glistening, not too choppy, one of the best swims of the holiday. Emma got into the water, but only swam a few strokes, not liking the gravelly stones underfoot, them hurting her feet and not being able to see through the water so well as at Colwell Bay where the water has been so pristine. Lucy went for a walk and then Nick took her for an ice cream. Emma was a little upset that Lucy has not joined in more and not spent more time with her during the holiday, but nevertheless, we all had a great day. Emma sunbathed, and looked gorgeous, especially when sitting in profile looking out to sea thoughtfully. We chatted about her trying to get on an Osborne book offer of a week’s employment that looks more like talent spotting that she intends to apply for. Lucy sitting for a while on a rock looking like a 1930’s glamour, in my sunglasses and M&S, tennis type hat, pony tail out. I swam again and then met the others up at the cafe, treating myself to a single scoop of ice cream in a cone (£2.30) possibly the most expensive ice cream I have enjoyed.

The wide open expanses coming into Compton offered glorious views that I wished I had thought to record, especially coming into the vally of Freshwater Bay, with deep blue sun caught rippling deep blue water, that should have been abroad. Came home for a fish cake and peas, then to the beach to catch the sunset. Went for a quick spin to check out the luxury holiday homes near the beach; did not see any luxury, no outside space; they had a small pool, but it closed at 6.00 and got caught by a bramble on the arm. Now both my arms look a bit of a mess … oh well, enjoyed my short ride and my hip hardly complained on the ride or the outing.

What a brilliant way to spend our last day here. We all really enjoyed the day.
 
Janie D, July 2018