• Day 2

    Isle of Wight cycle

    September 26, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Our beautiful UK trip kicked off on the quaint and historic Isle of Wight, The Island was formed at the end of the last ice age. It’s South of England about 1.5 hours drive from London. The island is only small so ideal for a three day cycle through the pretty villages and quiet, narrow, winding roads through the countryside. Our first night was in the seaside resort town Ryde and it was raining quite a lot so a great opportunity to sample the English ales at the local pubs on the esplanade. Simon orders the pints - I have half!

    Day 1 : Ryde to Yarmouth cycle. We cycled 44km
    on a self-guided trip which allowed us lots of freedom to stop and explore many beautiful tiny villages and old churches. Some highlights were the visit to Quarr Abbey - home to a small community of monks and some friendly pigs!
    We cycled on to St Mildred’s church where we discovered the tombs of Prince Louis & Princess Victoria of Battenburg - Queen Victoria’s family. So amazing and humbling to see their graves in such a small graveyard. We continued on cycling the narrow lanes and peering over the hedges to view the cows or sheep grazing. Finally arriving in the harbour town of Yarmouth. We stayed in the main square upstairs at The Bugle Coaching Inn.
    After a 44km cycle often in somewhat windy conditions we enjoyed a pub meal of steak pie with a fine red wine. 🍷 Felt like there should have been a warm fire 🔥 to sit by but it’s only the start of autumn here and 13c temps might be considered too warm for a fire.
    Early to bed tonight to prepare for a 38km cycle tomorrow. Fingers crossed for sunny conditions.
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