Month: September 2020

We took Ellie for a walk along a section of the red squirrel trail . We had a little rain.

We then went into Shanklin and I managed to get Ellie 2 teddies from a charity shop. A quick pop in with a mask on and the lady let me have them for 50p each as she saw Ellie! Ellie will be happy. I used to get them from Demelza but as I am not going in at the moment, I haven’t been able to get any.

We were lucky enough to avoid the rain at lunchtime and eat out in the garden at Vernon Cottage. It’s nice food there.

The car park in the popular part of Shanklin is £1.50 an hour but if you park in the station car park which is a very short walk away. It is £1.50 for 24 hours!!

We went into Sandown but it was raining a bit heavier so we went back. We have been so lucky with the weather all week.

Thought for the Day – “Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.” ~ Buddha

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We have both been to Allum Bay before but decided it would be a nice day out. We listened to the sat nav and wondered why it was such a short distance and took so long. When we were 2 miles away and the traffic stopped we realised why! There was a 2 mile queue to get into the bay! We have found this all the time we have been here, everywhere is busy, so many people who obviously normally go abroad are having their staycations. I turned the car around. Seeing the Needles again is not that important!

We decided to stop at a pub and rethink with a coffee. We sat in the garden and they asked what we would like. Two coffees please. After quite a lengthy wait, he came and told us the coffee machine had broken down and would we like tea!  The day really wasn’t going as planned but we said yes that was fine. When he delivered the tea, he told us it was “on the house” because it wasn’t what we had asked for!! Nice man. Like many others in the hospitality industry he was unsure whether it should be mask on or mask off for him in the garden and whether we had to fill in the track and trace! This is why we sit outside!! It all gets too confusing.

We decided to move along to Freshwater Bay.

We had a lovely walk and a nice day as it wasn’t as hot as it had been the rest of the week. From there we had lunch at “The End of the Line”. Of course again we sat outside!

In the evening we went in for the entertainment and played bingo! This is for all the Parkdean sites and so the prize money is big. Someone (at another of their parks) won £10,580! We didn’t win. There weren’t many people in there.

Thought for the Day – “Peace begins with a smile.” ~ Albert Einstein

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We went to Apppledurcombe House. Sadly it has been left in a bad state of repair. Photos from the front look fine but it is falling apart behind that facade. In times gone by it used to be the “finest house on the Isle of Wight.”The grounds which originally were designed by Capability Brown have also been left unattended but it was all in a very nice country area.

From there, we drove into Ventnor and discovered that dogs are no longer allowed on the beach and also Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour, where we intended having lunch was closed! We just had a coffee elsewhere then drove back into Shanklin.

Mal knows how much I love crab and so suggested we went to the Pencil Cottage Tea Garden for a crab sandwich. What a good idea. When he went up to order, he decided to order the complete “tea” with sandwiches/cake/scones etc. The waitress who had just cleaned our table and chairs brought Ellie a bowl with water and a biscuit!

From there it went downhill. The sandwiches were minute and I can’t say much positive about any of it, what a shame!

It was still very sunny so we sat outside the caravan when we were back.

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We took Ellie for  walk along a very small section of the Red Squirrel Trail. They are very proud of their red squirrels and they only exist here as there are no grey squirrels on the island.

We then went into Shanklin for our Sunday lunch. We went to Holliers Hotel and sat out in their garden. We hadn’t realised they had a very talented young lad (Harry Lee) entertaining us with his music in the garden.  He played keyboards, trumpet and accordion. A very nice Sunday afternoon.

We then drove to the Garlic Farm, had a walk around and bought some things in the shop including some black garlic.

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We started the day looking for a pharmacy as the wound on my lip (it is not a cold sore) is getting worse and splitting open all the time and also sore inside my mouth. The village we went to, the pharmacy had closed down!  We then continued as originally planned by visiting Carisbrooke Castle. The problem with all these visits now is that you can’t do anything just when you feel like it, you have to book. Not only that if you want to go inside it is mask on again and it all becomes a pain not an enjoyable day out. The best things we found there were Princess Beatrice’s garden but that wasn’t spectacular although we did find a medlar tree. The other interesting thing for Ellie and us were the castle’s donkeys and the girls there wanted to keep Ellie!

From there we drove into Yarmouth and found a pharmacy but obviously I had a mask on and the pharmacist didn’t want to look at my mouth, just sold me some Cymex and told me to use it every hour! Ah well. Whilst in Yarmouth we went to  Nammett and had a delicious prawn sandwich and a coffee each. I don’t know anywhere else that you can buy a coffee for £1!! We felt sure they would have gone up by now but no.

We then drove to Osborne House.  It belonged to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  We have viewed the house before when the gardens were closed and so we really went to see the gardens this time and they are amazing!

It was a long day and I think even Ellie had enough by the time we arrived home.

Thought for the Day – “Always be a little kinder than necessary.” ~  James M Barrie

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After breakfast we walked along the Shanklin – Sandown cliff path.

We then went down next to the beach and back right along to Shanklin. We stopped for a coffee on the sea front and on reaching Shanklin went into the very pretty part of the village and had some lunch at Vernon Cottage. By this time Ellie was needing a rest but at least she had a swim on the beach. As I wasn’t driving I even had alcohol! A pint of Guiness.

Then we had the long walk back to the caravan park. We were all very tired.

There was a problem with the plumbing in the caravan, wash hand basins and shower not draining away, so we sent a text. The maintenance men arrived within 10 minutes and sorted the problem out for us. That was good service.

Thought for the Day – “When you learn teach. When you get, give.” ~ Maya Angelou

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We left the house at 6.30am on our journey to Portsmouth to catch the Isle of Wight ferry. We had a lovely walk around Creech Woods before going for the ferry.

When we did arrive at the port we were asked if we would like to go on the earlier ferry and of course we said yes. A lovely day for the crossing and also good for our well travelled dog!

We arrived at the caravan park much earlier than expected but now because of Covid, keys are left in the van and if it is ready there is a green sign in the window. We found it and yes it was ready. Mal unloaded our luggage and even though it all looked very clean, I did another clean with anti bac!

We are very impressed with the caravan. It is far more spacious than the one we had in Cornwall. There is even a large walk in wardrobe in the main bedroom.

Our plan was to go into Shanklin and eat outside a restaurant by the sea front. When we arrived it was very busy and so we changed our minds and took fish and chips back to the caravan!

Thought for the Day – “It’s not only our technology that needs a recharge, we all do.”