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Isle of Wight
  • Martin and Debbie Kinally

Isle of Wight

Bertie's first overseas trip. Read more
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    May 18, 2023
    Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Bertie ventures abroad!

    May 18, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We have decided to try out the name Bertie for the motorhome. As it's a Autosleeper Worcester model (older readers will get the link, you youngsters won't have a clue, OK? so prove us wrong?). Here is his first post........

    Well hi there me maties, this is me first go at this bloggin lark so be gentle with me. So I've ad a couple of outings with him and her an they seem all right, but got a feelin who's in charge, and it ay him! So wim off to the Isle of Wight and managed to get on the way before schedule, which for them is a big thing apparently. The weather is good and traffic not bad, down the M5 and then mostly windy roads, so far so good. We mek it to Lymington ferry terminal ahead of time so managed a cuppa before boarding the ferry. Good crossing on calm Solent water thank god cuz I hear she ay good on water unless it's got a double gin in it! . Only a short journey to our first site just outside Newport.
    Wim staying at a site called The Last Post and it's a museum of the Post Office, we are surrounded by Post Boxes of all descriptions. Yeh I know it's nuts. We had a chat with the guy who seems normal and we are the only ones here so all good really.
    It's her birthday today, so after opening birthday cards and presents they go for a slow walk (ers got a dodgy knee) to the nearby Marina, (Isle of Wight is boat crazy) where unfortunately the pub had closed down (I've already sussed they like, a drink or three), and bizarrely found the bus used in the Spice Girls movie, which is now available to rent as a holiday let. An amble back before partaking of an M&S birthday tea, very nice too.
    He then spent most of the evening playing with his I. O. W. Vectis bus app and she inspected her eyelids after an intake of summat called Black Country Gold!    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Cowes

    May 19, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today after a leisurely breakfast theym off to catch the bus outside our site to Cowes. First of all they have to perilously cross the road outside, it must be the busiest road on the island with a constant flow of traffic going in to Newport.
    After arriving at East Cowes they tek the moving floating bridge to West Cowes. (Another sort of boat for her to fret over)!
    West Cowes is full of independent shops and they find a lovely Butchers shop to buy huge steaks for Saturdays tea.
    They ambled around with himself trying (and failing) to steer her by shoe and clothes shops and eventually extreme thirst came upon them so of course a pub visit ensued as he had to sample the local ale Goddards, and very nice it was too.
    The sky is getting darker so they headed back to the floating bridge before it rains and bus it home.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Newport

    May 20, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Well they'm getting later getting up today, too much time spent reading in bed.
    They decide to get the bus to Newport as he decides he might need some new shorts for his next holiday, nothing like leaving it till the last minute, he's only got about 3 weeks.
    When they arrive they head straight to M&S but no luck on the shorts front.
    The town itself isn't much to write home about, like any other town centre these days with it's fair share of closed down shops and charity shops. Time to rehydrate so it's into the Weather spoons, a converted church, for a rest and a pint.
    There's also a micro pub to try out, very popular just managed to get the last seat before sampling a bag of chips on the way back to the bus station.
    Back at base and they have a sit in the sun with their book, well might as well make the most of the good weather before getting the BBQ out to cook the steaks for the first time this year.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    I've got a ticket to Ryde

    May 21, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Well he's all excited today as they're off to Ryde on the bus , again, but not only that they're actually going to the Bus Museum which only has an open day with free rides on vintage buses. He's in seventh heaven!!
    Top floor of the double decker again so the days starting well.
    They arrive at Ryde and decide to walk along the pier, this is being refurbished so the pedestrian walkway is out of use as well as the train, yes I did say train, there is a passenger service to the end of the pier.
    While walking along the Hovercraft blasts up it's engine and departs from the seafront heading for Portsmouth, he ain't hanging about.
    He can't understand why car's are being allowed to drive a long the pier but all becomes clear when they get to the end, not only a train station but also docking for the catamaran over to Portsmouth. As one arrives whilst they are taking a shufftie they wait to watch it depart, and boy he wasn't hanging about, not quite such a calm sea as the other day so it's a good job her indoors isn't on it.
    Back along the pier and they decide it's time for a cuppa, he's looking up the times of the bus to the museum when she's spots an old bus parking up near the Ice Rink just around the corner so they decide to go over and see if they can hitch a ride to the museum. 'Jump aboard' the driver says, only front seats, he's loving this.
    On arrival at the museum and after checking the timetable they hop aboard a double decker for a trip to Seaview. Blimey these old buses are slow and just about make it up the hills in first gear, news on the grape vine is two have broke down while on route. Back to the museum for a quick shufftie around and a burger from the cafe before catching a slightly newer vintage bus back to town.
    Home in time to catch a bit of sun with his book before sorting out the route for tomorrow, moving day.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Osborne House

    May 22, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Well it's moving day today glad to say as me tyres am aching with this standin about, so them up with the larks , well for them it's early 9.30, and they get ready to decamp.
    Wim moving to St Helens not far from Bembridge, only about 12 miles, so on the way they visit Osborne House, holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, using The English Heritage card this time, they also find out if they flash their cards at the till they get 10% off which comes in handy later when herself decides to buy a bottle of local Gin and of course the obligatory cuppa.
    The house itself is beautiful with some very ornate ceilings and an enormous amount of painting's, many of Queen Victoria's 9 children, it's a sign there was no TV in them days.
    After walking round the house they then venture into the Walled Garden, but that's another story.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Osborne House, The Walled Garden

    May 22, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    After looking around the house they teks themselves off to the Walled gardens for a nosey round.
    He's jealous of the size of their Rhubarb, storks as thick as Mollie's arms. Beautiful Peonies and Iris then there's the couple of plants they have to check the name of on their phones, what would we do without the Internet. One was Kiwi vine and the other was Poached Egg plant, that was full of bees.
    They then visit the shop where she buys some Gin and then into the cafe for a scone for him and a soup for her and a cuppa.
    After filling their faces we head off to Cowes for some supplies before venturing on to our next site in St. Helens.
    Nice little site on a bit of a farm, Sheep, Horses, Emus, Cows and Doves, it also has a view of the sea so her indoors can sit and watch the ferries and boats float by to her hearts content.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Sandown to sunset, not likely.

    May 23, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Well after they've had breakfast, another cuppa, sat in the sun and read a bit they finally decide to do something.
    Them off to Sandown on the bus which runs outside for the afternoon. The bus teks um all round the houses, literally, going up the same road twice just to service a little estate, they even went passed the 'Airport', anyway they get there eventually and get off to walk up the prom like old gits do.
    Oh dear at least 3 of the large seafront hotels have been closed and left to deteriorate, one has even lost it's roof. Unfortunately this seems to be the pattern for the rest of the town. As per the norm these days, lots of empty hotels, shops and just charity shops. The sandy beach looks OK, but not many people about really on a super sunshine day.
    They decide to go in search of the micro brewery he's read about, it looks closed but when they try the door its open just no lights on. They ask for a couple of pints of the house brew, but 'computer says no' the bar person turns on the pumps but the beer is frothy and warm not saleable. This day ain't goin so well.
    They leave and head for what seems to be the only other pub open, Flannagans on the front opposite the Pier. Two pints of Goddards and lunch on the patio in the sunshine helps to improve the day.
    After another walk along the prom and along the Pier avoiding all the amusements crap, they catch the bus home, Sandown is officially a 'shit ole' and certainly not what it was when they last visited but that was over 40 years ago!    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    A day at leisure, bike ride to Bembridge

    May 24, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well the sun is fair burning me bonce today, it's a bit of a scorcher.
    They've decided to give the bus a miss and stay on site. They're sitting outside with their books reading and guess what they've forget to apply the sunscreen, they'll pay for that later methinks.
    Anyway afternoon and they manage to get up and go and have a look at the various farm animals, he was talking to the owner yesterday and apparently this used to be some sort of petting farm, they have sheep, cows, Shetland ponies and a field of emus, and up until a couple of months ago they even had a buffalo here. The farm also seems to be a graveyard for defunct Land Rovers. (Just for you Mark, fancy a project? )
    He decides he's had enough reading and is going for a bike ride, he asks her indoors but she's too comfy and he said he could go further without her so that's settled that!
    He's riding just down the road to Bembridge for a look at the harbour and the beach. Beach looks good with a short prom for him to tear-arse along on his wheels scattering the old gits left and right. Ride along the breakwater and then round the harbour, lots of houseboats of all sizes it is such a lovely spot, best part of the island so far. And wot do you know, at the far end is the Wight Knuckle brewery tap, a definite refreshment stop if ever he saw one. Hazy pale ale, doh mind if I do!
    Finally back at base and they're beginning to realise the perils of not wearing sunscreen, her shoulders are sore and his legs look like a lobster, they'll never learn, thank goodness for after sun, if only they could find it.
    An evening stroll into the village to check out the pub to see if the beer and menu is OK, as apparently it's his birthday tomorrow and she said she'd treat him to tea. All is good so table is booked.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Ventnor Botanical Gardens

    May 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well today's a special day so thems teckin me for a ride, after sitting here for a couple of days scorching in the heat. Oh yeah I forgot it's his birthday as well, the big 70, can you believe it, it went off very low key after the fuss he made when he turned 60 and he thought the world was ending, he seems OK about being 70👍.
    Weem off to visit The Botanical Gardens in Ventnor, they don't fancy goin on the bus as it's a bit of a way, 12 miles, and a bit all round the houses and a bus change as well.
    £10.50 to get in, so off they go for a walk around. It's very green as in not as many flowers as her would have liked but pleasant enough. They find the oriental themed garden, and he pipes up 'Fi & Mark got more in their oriental garden than this' which she did have to agree with.
    They pops into the Hot House, boy was it hot in there, it kept steaming up the camera lens, but again not much colour, she did manage a picture of a Bird In Paradise flower but that was about all and the algea growing on the pond was unbelievable, you wouldn't have stood for that Mark, you'd have been straight in there in your underpants.
    They stop off at the café for a cuppa before heading to Ventnor hoping to find a big enough car park and not teckin a wrong turn down to the prom which has a steep hill and a hairpin bend, so nah not fer me.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler
    1

    Ventnor Town

    May 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    So after checking with the Internet where the best car park is we set off for Ventnor town and find the car park OK. He parks me up in the coach park bay as instructed and goes to pay, what a palaver that is, you can't pay in cash but you can download the app and pay that way, or go to the other car park get a ticket then come back to display it. He's not a happy bunny.
    A lovely walk along the cliff top then down to the beachfront, not as sandy as Sandown more grit bordering on pebbles. They treats themselves to an ice cream and sit down to eat it while people watching then she noticed that the town must have known they were coming as they've put the flags out to wish himself Happy Birthday.
    They walks back through the town, slowly as her legs now hurting, an then we trundles back to our farm site.
    Tonight she's treating him to a meal in the local Vine pub, well you've got to celebrate his milestone birthday some how ain't yer?    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Another day at leisure

    May 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Well it's another scorcher here again today and thems decided to stay here, read their books and soak up the sun. Her even goes and gets the picnic blanket out so's she can tan her back, she only goes n falls asleep.
    Afternoon comes and he decides to go for a walk, he even takes Stick with him.
    There's not much more to report really as they've done bug.. er all.
    She did sit and watch 3 cruise liners float across the bay.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Shanklin Old Town

    May 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Well today is moving day hurrah so it will be good to get me wheels moving. We're off to Freshwater Bay but weem going via a farm shop and Morrisons to top up provisions and booze of course, they doh arf put it away!
    We arrived at Arreton Barns first, a craft centre with it's own pub and restaurants. They have a look around, there's some lovely stuff and the hand made glass is fabulous, her indoors really liked it but with a small vase working out at over £250 pounds I doh think she'll be getting one.
    Just a roll down the road now to a brand new farm shop that's just opened, and they buys loads of stuff here including huge steaks for tea tonight and the biggest slice of quiche I've seen, which he sets about eating while still on the car park as its lunchtime.
    Off to Shanklin Old Town now via Morrisons. They managed to park me up in the car park but have to pay coach rates, coz I'm a bit of a big boy don't you know!
    They bog off towards Shanklin Chine, a steep ravine and garden with water features, but it's down a bit of a hill which irritates her knee, so before paying they asks how steep, but its got 60 steps to go down before getting to the garden then it's downwards to the beach and of course if you go down you've got to come back up, so they give that a miss.
    They walks around the town, but apart from the picturesque tea rooms it isn't all that great so we get going again and head towards the next site at Freshwater Bay alongside the golf course, a beautiful view with the Solent in the distance at only a tenner a night but no leccy. Hope me batteries last em for the 3 nights wim here!    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler
    1

    Freshwater Bay

    May 28, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Well them getting later waking up as this holiday goes on, God help um Tuesday when they've got to set the alarm clock, whose idea was it to catch an early ferry.
    Well they eventually get their backsides in gear they head off for a walk down to the beach.
    Beautiful little bay with a small prom, and a pebbly beach but it's quite busy with paddle boarders, sun bathers and swimmers, you wouldn't catch me in there, looks a bit cold.
    They wander along the prom and down onto the beach to get to the rock pools on the far side. They sit watching the boats bobbing up & down and have a little chuckle at the toff in his posh boat trying to get his anchor to hold, eventually after 3 of um having a go they then decide to open the garage and get the dinghy out, yes I did say garage. They jokes that he's praps going ashore for an ice cream but it's stranger than that he drops the wife off on the quey and by the time they've walked back to the prom she's just getting back in the boat after having gone and fetched a dog. Off he zooms back to the boat ups anchor and thems away. There's none so queer as folk.
    They fancy a cuppa, well actually they fancy a pint but there's no pub, it's shut down for refurbishment, there is a travelling bar in an old double decker bus but it's not open, typical. The sit in the tea garden and get ready for the uphill jaunt back home and what you know the beer bus has only gone and opened, talk about timing.
    Back home for a read and After a while his lordship gets itchy feet so off he goes on a bike ride round Freshwater, including a refreshment at an hostelry (I reckon the only reason he goes meeself) no pictures but he enjoys himself and best of all manages to bike all the way up the steep hill from the Bay, them new bikes are marvellous.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler
    11

    Yarmouth

    May 29, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Well it's the last full day of the holiday and it's another sunny day but rather breezy. Thems off to Yarmouth on the bus today so they manage to get out a bit earlier.
    He's a bit disappointed, first time this holiday they haven't managed to get front row seats but the bus is full of tourists off to see The Needles, OMG well that's changed since they went, it's like turning up at Disney Land, people everywhere, amusements, eating cabins, gift shop etc, it's not for them, but at least they can now have front seats.
    Well Yarmouth turns out to be one of the nicest towns on the island, they start by going round the Castle where they watch the ferry arrive, then a stroll round the town, 'that's a nice little alley' she says, 'let's go down there' so they do and find The Wheatsheaf Inn it's only got it's own Beer and Cider festival on, over 20 Ciders and I don't know how many Beers, well it would be rude not to pop in. After asking the barman's advice he ends up with a flight of Ciders, one of them 8%+ and she's got some Tiny Rebel beer. They head out to the garden where there's live music, what a way to spend the afternoon.
    Another wander around taking in the pier with great views of all the boating activity, it's a busy little port.
    Back to the town and it's gotta be Fish and Chips at the King's Head, and very nice they were too. An ice cream for pudding as they wait for the bus back, and first on with their tradional front row seats.
    All in all a very pleasant day to round off the holiday.
    Isle of Wight, you've been great, hopefully it won't be so long before we come back.    Read more

  • Martin and Debbie KinallyIsle of WightTraveler

    Homeward Bound

    May 30, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Well weem on our way home, early start, well for them, 10 o'clock ferry, looks a bit choppy out there cause we've still got a bit of wind. Better out than in eh Mark 😂😂.
    Anyway it's not too bad when they gets gooin so she's OK, the journey backs okay very scenic but a bit bumpy due to road surface, me wheels are getting right shook up.
    I gets um home mid afternoon safe n sound and I must admit they've been very good and behaved themselves. I've enjoyed me first overseas jaunt so I thinks I may tek um again.
    This is Bertie signing off, ter rah a bit.    Read more

    Trip end
    May 30, 2023
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