The Isle of Wight, almost abroad!

For the first time in over two years, we decided to put together a small tour rather than what we have been doing recently, only visiting a site at a time.

We set off from MK on a Friday which was probably a mistake as traffic was heavy everywhere. Our first stop was in the New Forest. Rightly or wrongly, we decided to chance going through Lyndhurst which as many will know can be a major bottle neck. We were lucky as the queue only stretched out to the town sign so we had a minimal delay. Only eight more miles before we arrived at the New Forest Centenary Campsite which is apparently built on the site of an old WW2 airfield. No hardstandings available but fortunately the ground was quite firm despite a bit of rain.  My sister lives in Hamble and last November was her 70th Birthday. We have not seen each other since January 2020. She wanted to take us out for a meal, so on Saturday we were picked up from the site and whisked off to Barton on Sea where we had a really lovely meal at the Pebble on the Beach Restaurant.

Our inward and outward ferries to the Isle of Wight were booked Sunday to Sunday on the basis the roads might be a bit quieter. On our previous trips to the Island, we have always used Red Funnel from Southampton. By way of a change, we decided to use the Wightlink route from Lymington to Yarmouth. After an initial mix up with the route, I had a senior moment, we made our way to Lymington and found ourselves in pole position for the ferry. Because the ferry has to negotiate the Lymington River, which is quite narrow, the crossing initial is quite slow. Despite it being dull, but fortunately dry, there still seemed quite a lot of activity going out to the Solent. On the crossing you get a good view of the Needles to the west. You also get a good impression of how close Hurst Castle, on the mainland, is to the Island, close enough for a bridge? Once we had disembarked from the ferry, we had 15 miles to drive to the Club site at Newchurch called Southland, I always want to add an “s”!!! Newport is always a bottleneck on the Island with road works for good measure! It didn’t take too long to get to the site and we were fortunate that we were able to bag a hardstanding pitch. We were set up and sitting outside the van when a lady from a pitch nearby came over and explained that they were going to the supermarket and did we need anything. We didn’t but I thought that was so nice.

Monday was the start of the IOW holiday proper. It was also new territory to us as we decided that we would hire a car for a few days using the CMC arrangement with Enterprise. They picked us up from the site and whisked us off to Newport to their depot.  We had a bit of a drive to familiarise ourselves with the car. The next day we headed back to Newport so that we could visit Carisbrooke Castle which I suppose is as near the middle of the Island as you can get. A lot of visitor attractions now require you to book a timed slot on the internet before you arrive. We didn’t do this so I had to do it on my phone! Given the strategic position of the location it is possible some form of fortification existed during pre-Roman times. But it seems that it was during the reign of Elizabeth 1st that serious work took place because of the threat of a Spanish invasion. As castles go it is in pretty good nick. You can walk round the walls. If the knees can stand the climb! You can also get up into the Keep

On the Wednesday the intention was to explore the beaches of Shanklin and Ventnor but we discovered that it was so busy it was almost impossible to find anywhere to park! Some of the roads up and down to the beach would put Alpe d'Huez to shame!! We abandoned our quest to drive around the coast and instead headed inland to Godshill. This is a picture postcard village which is celebrated by the famous model village. It’s cleverly done. Another bonus as that in terms of costs it was a reasonable £6 each.  On the Thursday, our last full day with the car we drove out to Bembridge and around the harbour road and back to Sandown. It was also an opportunity to do any shopping we needed for the weekend. It was interesting having the car albeit quite expensive at just over £200. There are bus services from near to the Southland site but that does involve a walk along roads without pavements.  Having said that the bus service generally are quite good on the IOW. If we return it will be an interesting decision. Friday and time to return the car the hire depot and get a lift back to the site, all very well organised. As a bonus the weather was improving and our last few days on the Island were hot and sunny.

Someone said a week was a long time in politics, he could have added but short when you are on holiday! Sunday and it was time to retrace our steps to Yarmouth for our ferry back to the mainland. We joined the queue for the ferry whilst Margaret went off to find some coffee. The good weather meant lots of activity in the harbour at Yarmouth. The ferry looms over all the smaller craft as it makes its way gingerly into its docking position. Once on board there is the mountain of a climb to the sundeck, fortunately well named today. The Solent was busy with craft and people enjoying themselves. Once ashore on the other side we set off across the New Forest through Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst en route to the M27. This time the queue coming into Lyndhurst from the north seemed to stretch back half the distance back to the M27. Our final two day were spent on a private campsite near Stockbridge before our final journey home on the Tuesday.