Isle of Wight from Ryde to The Needles Park

We took a ferry to cross the strait known as The Solent to reach England's largest island, the Isle of Wight located in the English Channel.  Allison has been working at Ryde Academy so I spent a day in Ryde enjoying the sights while Allison taught at the Academy.  It's amazing how many people travel each day by ferry from the mainland.  Southampton to Ryde is a short 25 minute ride, but if you choose to bring a vehicle you take a different ferry which increases the journey to around 1 hour.  When we went on our sightseeing adventure of The Needles Park and Carisbrooke Castle we took a different ferry again which brought us to Cowes.  Many ferry choices to ensure your safe arrival on what is a very beautiful island.

I travelled across to Ryde via hovercraft.  The last time I was on a hovercraft was years ago when I crossed from Dover to Calais en route to Paris.   I'm not very good  with water travel so I was a bit apprehensive.  I was supposed to have gone with Al and Kat the day before, but because of the weather forecast Al suggested I go the following day.  It was a good decision as the day was overcast with periods of sun and the passage across was smooth.  Once on the other side we took a quick taxi ride to Ryde Academy.  Al went inside to start her day and I turned back towards town to start my day.

Al's teaching spot.

Hovercraft, deflated on the platform waiting to be boarded

Hover Travel brings us to Isle of Wight

Hovercraft on the move.

 I spent the day poking around the town of Ryde. I enjoyed the sights along the seafront, browsing through the quaint shops, eating leek and potato soup at a hole in the wall cafe and finishing the day with Al at a local pub.  I walked along the large and long esplanade area which provided me a view of the marina, the pier and the beaches.  I could visualise that this would be quite a busy spot during warmer weather.  Beyond the pier as I walked towards town, I was met with the distinctive architecture that defines England's beauty.  Like most towns, a church's majestic structure dominates the scene and Ryde is no exception.  The spires of All Saints' Church are visible from the esplanade and the church itself becomes even more impressive as you get closer.  Dating back to 1872, it's another example of England's rich history.

All Saints' Church

Focal presence in the small town of Ryde

Completed in 1872 

Spires of All Saints' Church in the background.

More pictorial evidence of Ryde's quaint beauty. 

Career change, Gail?

Street view from the Esplanade.

Views from the Esplanade

Views from the Esplanade

Is that a Christmas Tree?

Nope, my mistake seaside means palm trees.

Yup, palm trees.

After a day on the streets of Ryde I had built up quite the thirst.  Al and I had agreed to meet at a pub on Main Street at 3 pm.  I was at a Used Book store and as I perused their inventory I lost track of time.  I arrived at S. Fowler & Co. at 3:20 pm and Allison looking all worried and pacing, was ready to send out search and rescue.  It's ironic that here was the child worrying about the mother and here I thought only mothers had the licence on worry.

My next trip to Isle of Wight was by ferry to Cowes.  We travelled with Kat and her family, Dad, Annette, Steph and Adam.  Arriving in Cowes we had just missed the bus that would take us to Carisbrooke Castle and because we were on a schedule, we decided to walk.  Sure, what's a 25-30  minute walk, up hill?? Well it was sunny and given all the walking I had been doing since my arrival in the UK, this was not a problem. The castle was built in the 12 century.  Carisbrooke is a historic motte and bailey castle; a fortification with a wooden or stone keep (fortified tower) situated on a raised earthwork called a motte. It is enclosed by a courtyard or bailey and surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade (fence or a wall).  It was relatively easy to build and yet was still militarily formidable.  We walked all around the wall which considering its age is still in good shape and provided an amazing view of the surrounding countryside. There is a chapel within the courtyard and beside it a beautifully maintained English garden. Interestingly the castle was home to The Princess Beatrice (daughter of Queen Victoria) from 1896-1944.  Now it's a tourist attraction under the control of the English Heritage.   

Walking to Carisbrooke Castle.  Missed bus just ahead!

Sign along the way. Seriously?

View from the road as we walked higher and higher.

Met Max along the way. Boy did he love that ball.

Carisbrooke Castle

Chapel within!

Walking up towards the keep.

The Troll under the bridge.

The walkway provides some amazing views

Al and me

Castle with a View 

View keeps getting better.

and better

English garden

Courtyard with flair

Fish and Chips were terrific as well as the crab guacamole

Always more room for ice cream.

After lunch we hopped back on the bus and headed for The Needles Battery.   We stopped first at Alum Bay.  There we found a small amusement park with gift shops and rides.  One of these rides is a chairlift which operates from the park down to the beach. There had been some very high winds the weekend before so we were unable to go down to the beach, but the views from up top were simply breath taking.

The view from a top Alum Bay

Simply stunning

We got back on the bus and continued past Alum Bay and travelled towards The Needles Battery. The views from the bus of the coastline were spectacular.  When we were dropped off by the bus at the Needles we were amazed  by the wind.  The wind was so forceful it actually moved you as we walked closer towards the rock formations that form The Needles. 

Coast line 

View from the top

Coast view 

The 3 distinctive white rocks that form The Needles.

Wind was fierce, but that didn't stop Al and Adam

I on the other hand preferred to hold on to the rail, tightly!

Al and Kat 

What a fabulous panorama!  As we took in the views, some jumped for joy, some held on tightly, while others posed in front of the magnificent back drop.  The eventual arrival of the bus was a welcomed reprieve from the fierce winds. After all, there's only so much of Mother Nature and all her splendour that one can take in.     

Stay tuned for my next blog which takes place at Stonehenge.