Monday 13th August - Isle of Wight
We had the alarm set for 4:15am and were both awake before then.
We made good time and were on the road at around 05:45, well before the 06:05 planned.
Just acouple of wrong turns in London and we soon making good progress. Only around 40kms before the ferry we stopped for a light breakfast at a service stop,
We made good time and were on the road at around 05:45, well before the 06:05 planned.
Just acouple of wrong turns in London and we soon making good progress. Only around 40kms before the ferry we stopped for a light breakfast at a service stop,
The GPS guided us to the head office of the ferry company rather than the ferry. The ferry was only just around the corner, so we arrived with a good while to spare. So much in fact thatwe were asked to park up until 09:10. We walked back towards the ferry to see what facilities were there when the staff said they were now taking vehicles for the 10am sailing. We arrived back in the car and after waiting in the queued line-up area for around 30 minutes we were signalled to drive on up the ramp. We were the first vehicle on, driving right to the far end of the ship, ending up on an open deck with the nose of the car against a gate that looked suspiciously like a gate where they allow cars off the ferry. It was - and we were first off too. It looks like one of those ferries that sails in both directions without turning around. We went straight to the Signature Lounge that we paid 10 quid each for when booking. This was really good value. We will actually look forward to the return sailing based on just this room.
We drove down the middle of the island to the Shoreside Inn in Shanklin. This place is absolutely waterfront. Lovely B&B, hosts and location. After resting up we did a quick walk along the street we are on. The range of services is pretty typical of an English holiday location. Grant had a paddle in the sea, just 'cause. We later drove out into the more secluded parts of the island, stopping off at a quaint little place called the Smugglers Haven. This was an old house on the side of a slope operated by an old couple. It was fine and we had a cuppa, a cold drink and scones. An even longer drive back had us visit many winding streets, tiny villages and the "old town" of Shanklin. When we arrived back the hosts were waiting to talk to us. Well, they thought we were their next guests, so they had to make do. They offered to book our dinner for tomorrow night at a place they recommended and we saw on our travels today.