Monday 7th October 2024

We have never been to the Donkey Sanctuary before, so decided this was the day. It was such a nice day and the 99 donkeys there are so well looked after.  They are all rescued and surprisingly entrance is free. In our minds, the fact it is free admission we decided to sponsor a donkey. There was a donkey there called Elvis and so we decided to sponsor that one for Mal’s sister for Christmas. This is Mal with Elvis….

They really are so well looked after there. There is also a huge picnic area and dogs on leads are allowed everywhere! Ellie just loved them and wanted to run around the fields with them. She stood sniffing them and wagging her tail.

There is a shop and a cafe there. We went and had a pot of tea for two…£3! Bargain.

I wanted to return to Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour, so we headed that way for a late lunch. It is right on the sea front in Ventnor. Easy……no! We just kept coming across closed roads! We ended up taking about a 10 mile diversion and then having to walk down  extremely steep paths. Even the walk down was difficult as the paths were so steep and then of course we had to get back up.

It was well worth going there as after our food Scarlett’s daughter came and sat and chatted to us. This is her 14 year old dog Ruby , she sits in the doorway, bless her.

Scarlett’s daughter made such a fuss of Ellie and gave her two treats. She had already been given three at the Donkey Sanctuary!

 

Sunday 6th October 2024

As our intention, a very lazy day after walking Ellie. We just had a short drive into Cowes to get some supplies and Mal decided he was going to cook a Turkey roast!
Our lodge is so quiet and peaceful, just the odd bird or red squirrel on our verandah. Of course a blackbird to sing!

Ellie chilled as well!

Saturday 5th October 2024

We left home and drove to Portsmouth. We stopped at our favourite coffee shop at Ripley on the way. The journey was fine until we actually arrived in Portsmouth on a busy Saturday afternoon and the traffic was horrendous. We did manage to get to the port and they put us on the earlier ferry. Ellie is used to all sorts of travelling and so doesn’t seem that bothered.

She had a lot of attention from other passengers.
We arrived at Woodside Bay earlier than the 4pm check in for our lodge but it was ready, so they allowed us in early.

We unpacked and then walked Ellie in the woods.

It is so nice here just a short walk through the woods and you are on the beach.

Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Yesterday was the first beach dog freedom day! Dogs are now allowed on the beaches, so we took Ellie to Minnis Bay. Rain wasn’t forecast but we got very wet! It didn’t matter, Ellie loves going in the sea and really enjoyed it.

Thought for the Day – “Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” ~ Bob Marley