Author: Maggie Daniel

Again the problem with the car which had to be sorted.

This is the problem with diesel, if you do short trips it chokes up!!! If it ever did it at home, I take it on a long stretch of road, low gear and eventually it will burn off BUT all the roads in the Isle of Wight are narrow and windy!! I couldn’t drive it any more so we called out the rescue. They were useless and said they would book it in a garage on Monday!!!! We had to call the rescue back and they organised us being relayed all the way back home, on the ferry, everything. We then rang our garage and they are booked until 9th April!!!! So, even if I got the car home our garage couldn’t sort it until 9th. So  we then started ringing mobile mechanics. Of course many wanted a fortune for what we know should cost around 150.00. Eventually we spoke to a really nice man, Nathan, who came at 5pm l!!!! He said he knew exactly what to do and had a mobile diagnostic machine but as he was burning this off, it meant it would contaminate the oil, so an oil change and new oil filter. He was with us until 7.30. Mal was outside talking to him most of the time and learnt a lot from him (I have never owned a diesel before and probably wouldn’t again!!!)

Quite honestly a total waste of a day, trying to sort all this out. Thank goodness for Nathan is all I can say.

Not a good England game in the evening.

First no internet and this morning we read that there is a problem with water on the island! We had showers early just in case!

I can’t believe how lucky we are, we awoke to sun again and so had a woods/beach walk early. Just through the wood and on to the beach.

Ellie does make us laugh, once she gets on a beach she just keeps on walking. We were looking for sea glass but then had to catch up with her. Of course she is not fast these days.

She really is doing well just plodding along and a dip in the sea and roll in the sand.

She did sleep for quite a while when we were back in the lodge.

We then headed for The Blacksmiths Arms, our favourite place to eat when we are here but on the drive over there, my particulate filter warning light came on. If I am home I just run the car to Whitfield with high revs in a low gear. Not possible in the country lanes here. To be honest it spoiled our lunch as I obviously had to drive back to the Bay. I did have my favourite dessert, no one makes it like they do…..white chocolate and raspberry creme brulee. It always has a lot of raspberries in it.

We called a mobile mechanic who hopefully will come out tomorrow. This is the one thing I hate about diesel and I am seriously thinking of getting another car…petrol!

A sunny day but so windy and cold! We went to Osborne House. They only open downstairs in the house this time of year and anyway, dogs aren’t allowed in the house. The gardens are always beautiful and you can see why Queen Victoria loved this place.

The Swiss Cottage was closed as well, opening next week so maybe when we are back later in the year.

What a surprise when we returned to the lodge, the internet was back on!! Was it just us that complained or maybe others did as well.

Not such a bright day. A short walk for Ellie first thing, I think we wore her out yesterday. Then we headed for the Garlic Farm to replenish our supplies of garlic pickle. That has gone up 25p a jar since our last visit!

And they even have Garlic Beer!

From there we went on to the  Donkey Sanctuary. Ellie loves the donkeys.

On the way back we stopped in Shanklin and for the second time this trip, went to my favourite shop, Crafty Days. Michelle the owner is a really lovely lady and  has really great craft items for sale. Sadly she has a problem with her shop front, some is collapsing and she has been waiting for the workmen to arrive and she also has the council on her back as it was unsafe for a while. Meanwhile she is trying to run her business. What a mess. I really feel for her.

When back in the lodge, we discovered we had no internet yet again (now two and a half days). This should be included in our deal. Mal contacted reception and the receptionist who claimed to be the manager was actually quite rude to him so he then phoned Hoseasons complaints. Didn’t get very far but at least “Rob” was civil. Although you book through Hoseasons, it is owned by Darwin Estates. confusing. Mal made sure he knew we would be making a complaint with Resolva.

 

 

 

Another lovely sunny day. We drove into Ryde but sadly all the shops I wanted to go to are shut on Mondays! But the shops we did go into they all offered Ellie treats until she just didn’t want to move and when I found I was bribing her to come out of them, we moved on to Quarr Abbey where we had some lunch.

We went into the art gallery there and also the shop and bought some garlic pickle, desperate for it and yes we will be going to the garlic farm another day!

On the terrace for the rest of the day and Mal cooked a roast.

 

We had breakfast watching all the birds coming on to the terrace and then a red squirrel arrived!

A nice sunny day and so we drove into Shanklin. Ellie had fun on the beach.

We then went into The Steamer for lunch. Sad to say their fish chowder wasn’t as good as usual but Mal had a nice shredded beef and Guiness pie. It was so nice though sitting outside overlooking the beach.

Then back home and Mal said we should watch Spurs rather than Hammers. Not much difference they both lost. Spurs an appalling game.

 

We left home and had a couple of stops on the way to the ferry, mainly because of horrendous traffic jams and also a lot of Police blue lighting down the middle of the road. No idea what that was all about!

When we arrived at the port they let us on the earlier ferry..last car on!  There were a lot of dogs up on deck, some quite nasty, growling and barking!

Of course it is a very short and expensive crossing! We drove straight to Woodside Bay. We were two hours early but they gave us the key.  We unpacked the car and then walked through the wood and on to the beach. I think Ellie would go on her own, she knows it so well.

It was nice to be back, listening to the birds and watching the red squirrels.

Ellie even had her own pack in the lodge!

A rope was included in it!

I had a Sainsburys delivery which arrived at 5pm. All sorted.