An earlyish start for us today as we head to the ferry port to catch the 9am Red Funnel ferry to East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. We arrive by 8am so plenty of time for a cuppa and a slice of homemade Barra Brith as we wait for the ferry.
It’s an hour crossing to East Cowes on a lovely sunny but cold morning so just enough time to wander around the deck for a few photos.
It’s then a short journey to Osborne House our first stop on the Isle of Wight. It’s an English Heritage property so we decide to join for the year as there is more than one site we want to visit.
The house was built as a summer home for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert between 1845 and 1851. Albert designed the house in the style of an Italian palace and the builder was Thomas Cubitt who also built the front of Buckingham Palace. Many family holidays were spent here by the royal family and Queen Victoria died here in 1901.
We enjoy a wander around the walled garden followed by the house and then outside to the Italian gardens and finally down to the beach for a hot drink and a shared piece of shortbread overlooking the very calm Solent.
Next stop is the Southland campsite in Newchurch. It’s very difficult to get to as both access roads have closure signs on them but thankfully a friendly local points us back to the one we are supposed to ignore! We can see the site entrance but we have to wait 10 minutes whilst a cement mixer fills a large hole in the road but at last we make it.
After setting up and settling in around 5pm we decide to take the bus into Sandown, the nearest seaside resort. Its rather rundown but has a lovely beach. The pier is actually a large amusement arcade full of noise and colour but there’s also a bar with a fabulous view over the beach and promenade where we enjoy a drink.
We find an unusual pub called the Castle which sells real ale and is extravagantly dressed for Halloween. A couple of drinks later we take the bus back to the van and eat pate on toast for dinner. Gourmets we are not.
A full day and lovely intro to the island.
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