Monday, October 20, 2008
20th Oct Murky Monday
Murky Monday - very murky as we hit the evening of the day.
Saturday, though, was sunny.
We sat outside on the car ferry in the sunshine and enjoyed views back to Portsmouth and all the yachts in The Solent.
Our first plan had been to get some shopping in - Lidls in Newport.
But we failed.
Newport is a mass of one streets and a busy road that whizzes round the outside.
Give up - we thought.
And so we headed towards the south of the island stopping at Godshill for a light lunch.
Why oh why did we not stop where we went with Ashley and Ecky?
We chose another place and the woman in a angora sparkly cardigan, tried to be helpful, but matched the tackiness of the place.
The vegetable soup was too salty as well.
We shopped in Ventnor. After wards we realised the small supermarket in the village was a much better shop.
The village was a welcoming home and the cottage, just superb.
The owners live in Salisbury and use it often for them selves. They have our tastes.
The kitchen has shelves of things that I might have had for sale myself - and did have in Rocking Horse. Lots of 1950s and 1960s things. There are lovely pictures and photographs on the walls.
It is warm and cosy and we have all we need.
Sunday was a bright and breezy day - actually very windy at times.
We parked up in Lower Niton and walked to the lighthouse of St Catherine's Point on the lower cliffs - yes there are 2 levels of cliffs here!
Lovely views.
Then we drove westwards - not too sure what the day would bring.
The chalk cliffs out towards The Needles shone bright in the sunshine.
WE decided that as it was sunny we would head for Freshwater Bay.
As with so many sea side place and particularly out of season - it had a faded air.
But it had once appealed to the arty famous types - Tennyson had a home there.
He was joined by others, including the Victorian photography pioneer, Julia Margaret Cameron.
It was to her house that we went for lunch.
WE sat and enjoyed hot and exceedingly good crab soup - I of W crab.
Gentle modern jazz played in the background and we were surrounded by cabinets full of old cameras - some newer too for it was a record of the history of Cameras.
Then we paid to view the museum, which was really interesting.
There was one room with dressing up clothes and hats and murals on the wall so that visitors could take photos of themselves in the old style.
Interestingly there is a section on modern rock start for the I of W rock festivals took place close by. There is a statue of Jimmy Hendrix in the grounds.
Monday.
Rain was forecast - what could we do?
Museums seemed goo.
The one on postal history and post boxes seemed to suit us but it is a private collection and you have to reserve a time.
I phoned but there was no reply.
And that was the story of the day.
Anyway we headed back to Newport for the I of W history museum.
Could we find a car park - not on the first time round the town and finally found somewhere out of the centre.
The first sign post was followed by no more helpful signs.
The museum was a disappointment- 2 rooms. It was tastefully done but there was not enough. The labelling was attractive but with not enough information.
That was Newport.
We had read of another place - The Orrary in Ryde.
There would be a cafe with planets revolving over our heads etc etc.
But it didn't get finished in time for this year!
We bought some trainers in the shop next door.
WE sat in a place to have a light lunch - but the soup had run out.
So that was Ryde - we got lost in Ryde too - one way streets and no signs.
We decided to go to the place in Godshill where we went with Ashley and Ecky.
It was raining really hard by this time.
The owner of this cafe had decided the place was just too dead and he was shutting up at 3 o'clock.
Failed again.
So we drove back to Niton and bought a few bits in the shop and have had a picnic by the fire in our cottage - eating at about 4 o'clock!
Then we came out in the pouring rain to write this - something to do! We are in the library. A little square room that used to be the telephone exchange.
WE will hurry back to the cottage soon.
I hope the weather will be better tomorrow.
We are meeting Bill's sister Ros for a meal tomorrow evening at a place called The Dairyman's Daughter.
We'll do The Needles and Alum Bay on Wednesday - supposed to be clear skies.
My health has settled - still rather weak, but coping well. Just hope I don't get a cold; sore throat threatens.
Ashley is in a bad way with broken finger. Was back at hospital and hasn't got the splint because he was severely allergic to micropore. He now has big blisters on his finger.
I hope the fracture clinic can help him better tomorrow.
Right - must stop now.
Won't blog again until Saturday when home.
Goodbye.
Saturday, though, was sunny.
We sat outside on the car ferry in the sunshine and enjoyed views back to Portsmouth and all the yachts in The Solent.
Our first plan had been to get some shopping in - Lidls in Newport.
But we failed.
Newport is a mass of one streets and a busy road that whizzes round the outside.
Give up - we thought.
And so we headed towards the south of the island stopping at Godshill for a light lunch.
Why oh why did we not stop where we went with Ashley and Ecky?
We chose another place and the woman in a angora sparkly cardigan, tried to be helpful, but matched the tackiness of the place.
The vegetable soup was too salty as well.
We shopped in Ventnor. After wards we realised the small supermarket in the village was a much better shop.
The village was a welcoming home and the cottage, just superb.
The owners live in Salisbury and use it often for them selves. They have our tastes.
The kitchen has shelves of things that I might have had for sale myself - and did have in Rocking Horse. Lots of 1950s and 1960s things. There are lovely pictures and photographs on the walls.
It is warm and cosy and we have all we need.
Sunday was a bright and breezy day - actually very windy at times.
We parked up in Lower Niton and walked to the lighthouse of St Catherine's Point on the lower cliffs - yes there are 2 levels of cliffs here!
Lovely views.
Then we drove westwards - not too sure what the day would bring.
The chalk cliffs out towards The Needles shone bright in the sunshine.
WE decided that as it was sunny we would head for Freshwater Bay.
As with so many sea side place and particularly out of season - it had a faded air.
But it had once appealed to the arty famous types - Tennyson had a home there.
He was joined by others, including the Victorian photography pioneer, Julia Margaret Cameron.
It was to her house that we went for lunch.
WE sat and enjoyed hot and exceedingly good crab soup - I of W crab.
Gentle modern jazz played in the background and we were surrounded by cabinets full of old cameras - some newer too for it was a record of the history of Cameras.
Then we paid to view the museum, which was really interesting.
There was one room with dressing up clothes and hats and murals on the wall so that visitors could take photos of themselves in the old style.
Interestingly there is a section on modern rock start for the I of W rock festivals took place close by. There is a statue of Jimmy Hendrix in the grounds.
Monday.
Rain was forecast - what could we do?
Museums seemed goo.
The one on postal history and post boxes seemed to suit us but it is a private collection and you have to reserve a time.
I phoned but there was no reply.
And that was the story of the day.
Anyway we headed back to Newport for the I of W history museum.
Could we find a car park - not on the first time round the town and finally found somewhere out of the centre.
The first sign post was followed by no more helpful signs.
The museum was a disappointment- 2 rooms. It was tastefully done but there was not enough. The labelling was attractive but with not enough information.
That was Newport.
We had read of another place - The Orrary in Ryde.
There would be a cafe with planets revolving over our heads etc etc.
But it didn't get finished in time for this year!
We bought some trainers in the shop next door.
WE sat in a place to have a light lunch - but the soup had run out.
So that was Ryde - we got lost in Ryde too - one way streets and no signs.
We decided to go to the place in Godshill where we went with Ashley and Ecky.
It was raining really hard by this time.
The owner of this cafe had decided the place was just too dead and he was shutting up at 3 o'clock.
Failed again.
So we drove back to Niton and bought a few bits in the shop and have had a picnic by the fire in our cottage - eating at about 4 o'clock!
Then we came out in the pouring rain to write this - something to do! We are in the library. A little square room that used to be the telephone exchange.
WE will hurry back to the cottage soon.
I hope the weather will be better tomorrow.
We are meeting Bill's sister Ros for a meal tomorrow evening at a place called The Dairyman's Daughter.
We'll do The Needles and Alum Bay on Wednesday - supposed to be clear skies.
My health has settled - still rather weak, but coping well. Just hope I don't get a cold; sore throat threatens.
Ashley is in a bad way with broken finger. Was back at hospital and hasn't got the splint because he was severely allergic to micropore. He now has big blisters on his finger.
I hope the fracture clinic can help him better tomorrow.
Right - must stop now.
Won't blog again until Saturday when home.
Goodbye.
