Sunday was even hotter about 32 degrees centigrade.
We had discovered there was a free Pirate Festival at Appley Beach, Ryde. My family love Ryde and decided they would make their annual visit there to coincide with the Festival. (I must be honest here and say that, although I have nothing against Ryde as it is a lovely seaside town, there are far many things
on the Isle of Wight I would rather be doing!)
We could only find a parking space some distance away from the beach in question and we walked back along the seafront.
B and E were not pleased to find their favourite seafood cabin closed!
Timothy was feeling the heat in his jumper! and
here he is with Tennyson who was also too hot!
The Hovercraft which travel backwards and forwards between Ryde and Portsmouth. A few years ago we caught this and went to visit the Mary Rose and HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Boatyard.
The Spinnaker Tower at Portsmouth
Finally we reached Appley Tower and Shipwreck Isle on the beach.
The Tower was built by Sir William Hutton in 1875 - the gothic tower (also known as the Watch Tower )is all that remains of his mansion. It was designed by Thomas Hellyer of Ryde, a local architect, and constructed by Isaac Barton a local builder. Sir William Hutt also arranged for Hellyer to design and construct the coastal revetment protection followed by a coastal promenade for the public.
The pirate festival was good although by this time I was feeling very hot and bothered! The festival included live music, stalls, Punch and Judy, a pirate play and hidden treasure to find. It wasn't easy to take photos as there were so many people around.
Thankfully clouds were developing which did cool things down slightly.
After a packed lunch we made our way to the peace and tranquility of nearby Quarr Abbey which I will write about in my next post.
*D - Photos taken by D with the Canon SX50hs bridge camera
All other photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
