The new computer is finally up and running. B managed to restore the old one but as we've had problems twice this year and, as it ran Windows XP we were having problems reinstalling some programmes, we decided to buy a new one. Must admit I much preferred the set up of the old one not to mention the keyboard and cordless mouse and the ease with which photos uploaded but that's another story!
So back to the Isle of Wight.
We decided on the Tuesday (was it really only two weeks ago?!) that we'd go on a trip on one of the Breezer Open Top Buses. There are two of these Tours on the Island and the idea is that they do a circular route and you can hop on and off as many times as you like as the tickets are valid for 24 hours. We've done both the tours in the past - one covers the Needles region and the other the Downs. Must admit I was hoping we'd go on the Needles bus but yet again I was outvoted and we went on the Down's Tour which we went on during our last holiday on the Island.
The circular route visits Ryde, Brading, Sandown, travels over the Downs to New Church, Arreton, Wootton Fishbourne and Quarr Abbey and back to Ryde. We parked at Arreton and got on the bus there. Last time we got off at Newchurch, Ryde and Quarr Abbey but this time we spent most of our time in Ryde.
The Breezer Bus
I went inside this beautiful church at Newchurch last time whilst the rest of the family went to the pub!
You can see a lot more of the countryside from the top deck of a bus! Various views of the Downs.
And into Sandown - I've included this photo that D took of some ships (oil tankers?) out at sea. We thought they looked rather malevolent and it reminded me of a scene from Daphne du Maurier's "Rule Britannia".
The beach at Sandown
Red and Culver Cliffs - I once persuaded the family to go a walk along the beach here towards the cliffs - the geology is just amazing :)
Finally, we arrived at Ryde which B,D and E just love. I have to say Ryde is a lovely seaside town but walking along a seafront is not exactly my idea of fun :( (You can see why I would have preferred the Needles Tour!
The flowers are very colourful but I suspect they wouldn't be attracting many pollinators!
The Edwardian Pavilion is a Grade 2 listed building - as its an interesting example of rare cast-iron seaside architecture by a famous firm well known for work of this sort.
D's lamp-post photo was a lot more imaginative than mine!
This shop sells some of the best chips I have ever tasted.
Back on the bus then and back to Arreton Barns Craft Village. I must admit I love it here and, as we were back earlier than expected, I was able to spend a bit of time browsing in the craft and food shops. I could have spent a fortune here - its worth visiting Diamond Isle Glass (I bought a glass badger :) ) where you can see pieces being made and also the pottery called Ceramic Crafts.
Missing out again on an icecream I went to have a look round the Church of St George
There has been a place of worship on this site for over 1000 years. Arreton Manor and a small wooden church once belonged to the family of King Alfred. (We once went on a brilliant organised ghost walk by Marc Tuckey round the grounds of the Manor, church and village).
The cover of the font is made from an oak beam which came from an old barn roof at LongdownFarm. The carvings were done by a Miss Carol Escort, from a design by a Mr Christian, Architect of the 1886 restoration.
Sorry about the reflection on the font cover!
These are the stone remains of a 13th century font said to have been unearthed in the churchyard.
The Burma Star Memorial Window
This bell which was cast in 1699 was replaced by the casting of a new bell to celebrate the New Millenium.
Sadly, I didn't really, as always, have long to look around, and, as usual, missed many of the important features such as the brass of a headless figure that fought in the battle of Agincourt, a 17th century church warden's chest, the remains of a medieval wall painting, the tomb of Oliver Cromwell's grandson and the tomb of the Dairyman's Daughter.
The Dairyman's Daughter was Elizabeth Wallbridge, who lived locally and died in 1801. She was made famous by the book "Annals of the Poor".
Just had time for a brief look at the Medieval Carp pond mentioned in the Domesday book.
I love this photo D took of giant leaves by the pond especially the effect of light on the leaves.
Day 6 will include a visit to Hurst Castle and I finally get to look for butterflies again at Newtown Nature Reserve (just don't mention the heat!!) :(
