We had mixed feelings about going away in March; it felt wrong to be enjoying ourselves when there was a war going on in Europe, but then if we have learnt anything in the last 2 years it is to grab every opportunity that you get because you don’t know what is around the corner. So on that note we packed up Lizzie and headed to the Isle of Wight for 2 weeks.
We took the Wightlink ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth (caravan and camping club members can get up to 50% discount or ask your campsite as they may also be able to get you discounts).
The Isle of Wight is a very seasonal place with many things opening up at the end of March / early April – including campsites. We stayed at the Riverside Paddock touring park just outside Newport as this is one of the few with hardstandings open early March. It’s right on the old Cowes – Newport railway line, now one of the many cycle routes on the island and a pleasant walk along the Medina River.
After our first day being a washout due to heavy rain (a day of puzzles, DVDs and books), we set about exploring in what turned out to be a gloriously sunny, warm, blue skied fortnight – not expected in March!
As well as walking to Newport and then Cowes to surprise an old friend Helen (producer of yummy chutney under the name Borneo Pantry and wonderful grazing plates under the name Cowes Grazing and can also be found at the Cowes Compass Bar), we bought Southern Vectis Freedom bus passes (7 day but you can get different versions). This enabled us to easily explore the island from Ryde in the East to the Needles in the west and Ventnor in the south to Totland in the North of the island and lots of villages in between! We visited well known attractions such as Quarr Abbey, Osborne House (EH) Queen Victoria’s summer home, Carisbrooke Castle (EH), Mottistone Gardens (NT) and the New and Old Batteries at the Needles (NT). And walked about 101 miles (according to Andy’s app!) along beautiful lanes, cycle paths, parts of the coastal path and some of the various Downs. Cycle and footpaths are really well marked throughout the island making it very easy to explore.
Lots of birds and wildlife spotted, including 5 red squirrels, lots of Blue Jay’s and bullfinch and although it was early spring there was lots of colour with many gorgeous magnolias and camellias in flower.
Oh and of course we had to sample some of the Islands locally made alcohol!! Mermaid gin – the pink is delicious. And then Andy rather liked the Wight Gold Ale and I liked the Planet Lager.
We loved our time on the Island and hope to revisit, maybe in the Autumn to see it in a different light – thank you Isle of Wight and the lovely friendly people we met along our travels.
#meanderingmumfords, #motorhomelife, #borneopantry, #cowesgrazing, #compassbarisleofwight, #southernvectis, #englishheritage, #nationaltrust, #mermaidgin, #wightlinkferries, #isleofwight.