Hooning around

Godshill

Jane likes a good tea room

Protecting the gate at Carisbrooke Castle

The Needles

We will do anything to get a photo

A medal to prove we went on the chairlift

Ventor, showing the type of roads we
 hooned around on

Its Sunday morning so lets go to church, to be precise Godshill church that is very old and built on a pagan ground. High on the hill in amongst thatched cottages in the early morning sun it is a gorgeous site. We only came here as everyone keeps telling us about the gigantic meringues in a nearby shop, they are now a distant memory. Back down we go and the shops have started to open, Jane goes into hyperventilation mode with all the crystals, our bags are going to be a lot heavier on the way back home.

Next stop is a detour to Carisbrooke Castle, this is where Charles I was imprisoned and tried to escape from, Beatrice (my fav of QV’s children) lived and about a zillion other bits of history happened. The best bit is getting to be a guard in the watch tower.

Back into Victoria we go and we are heading south, over dale, around sharp corners, over crests, more pushbikes to overtake but with Janes expert navigation we arrive. We are at the very point of island where a rock formation called The Needles, extends out into the water. Now I know what is coming next, but Jane doesn’t. Will she do or wont she. She says that is all ok, shes in. No need for champagne, let’s go on the chairlift. I am a worried about me getting on and off the contraption let alone Jane. But a big muscley guy throws us both into our seats and we are off. Now Jane realises just how scary this is and is hanging on for dear life with eyes shut. But after a few minutes realises it is all ok and then can enjoy the magnificent views. Sort of. Two muscly men to get us off at the bottom and we are done. Not sure Jane can actually stand, but before she can get her wits about her to say no we are on a boat and heading for the needles. The boat is calm respite from the chairlift adventure and a great way to see all the colours in the rocks up close. After about 1,000 photos each and exploring for fossils on the beach its time to head up. Would you like to walk up the steps or take the chairlift? No choice really. So back we get on and make it to the top and receive our medals for conquering the chair lift. How good is this!

Now we are going to take the long way back around the coast, I can even drive at the speed limit now. There are hardly any cars this way and we explore every little hamlet along the way. Some of the roads are so windy you hold your breath as you go around each corner. I would like to shut my eyes as well, but that’s probably not a good idea.

We pull up in Ventor and Jane finds the best place on the whole coast for a creamed tea, Queenies.

We finish the day with our biggest challenge yet, finding a petrol station.