Friday 25 January 2013

Are we nearly there yet?

Himself had his seventy-first birthday this week so we took the Red Funnel ferry across to the Isle of Wight to celebrate. In his childhood he had spent happy summer holidays in a flat above a boathouse on the beach of Seagrove Bay. A trip down memory lane was on the cards! I had never been to the island but I'd heard about his holidays; the flat with its big bay window facing the sea, the hours spent exploring the rock pools or pootling about in a rowing boat.
In this cold, inhospitable month we took the precaution of booking a hotel that had a pool, a sauna, steam room and hot tub, and we made good use of them all!
The weather was unkind. Where looks more desolate than the English seaside in winter?


On the plus side we had no problem parking and the single track road winding down the hill, past the pretty houses of Bonchurch, was easy to negotiate. In summer it must be well nigh impossible.


It took a bit of searching to find our way to Seagrove Bay, Himself was unable to recognize anywhere. Eventually we arrived, but just a little too late. Oh, dear! Scaffolding and a pile of stones stood on the site of the fabled boathouse.


We drove on to Ventnor and consoled ourselves with a good cup of coffee and lunch. From our comfy window seat we had the pleasure of watching nothing at all happen on the seafront promenade.




Unfortunately Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home in East Cowes, was closed for the winter, but all about the island there are delightful examples of  Victorian architectural styles.



The sites of many old houses appear to have been taken over by much larger, modern, multi-occupation dwellings.
Slap bang next to a charming little seashore delight on Seagrove Bay
a huge modern monster has been built.
We wonder what is going to rise from the rubble of the old boathouse that had held so many happy memories.
 In Ryde I spotted this collapsable tray table. Everything in the shop had a nautical theme.
And when we crossed the estuary on the chain ferry to Cowes
it was still all about boats.





When we got back to the mainland the sun  was shining on a dusting of snow
and it was an easy journey home.

16 comments:

  1. So ften our memories don't match up to recent reality. Sorry to hear about the boathouse. It was a lovely trip around the island Rosemary, and seen through similar eyes to my own. Now I want to pay a visit of my own!

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  2. I am sorry the boathouse was under construction, but it does sound like you were able to salvage the day. Please wish himself a wonderful birthday and a good year ahead. Bonnie

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    1. It's a prime site so we expect that six flats may well rise from where once there was one!
      I've passed your good wishes on to Himself.

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  3. Hello Rosemary:
    We have visited the Isle of Wight on many occasions and it always seems to us to be a somewhat bitter sweet experience. There are memories of carefree childhood holidays in Sandown and exciting times watching boats in Cowes but, also, seeing a number of rather run down areas that desperately require revival. It is a pity that those glorious Victorian holiday times have not quite returned to their former splendour.

    Thank you for your comment on our recent post to which we have made reply.

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    1. I suppose there is something to be said for not revisiting the past but most of us have a sentimental streak and cannot resist it!

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  4. Oh that did look very cold and bleak - as you say,not the best time to visit the English seaside. But a change of scenery is always a good thing. Never been to IofW hope to give it a go one day

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    1. Yes, a change of scene is good, if only to appreciate how nice it is at home! (If you go to the IoW choose better weather!)

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  5. The architecture is so interesting and all those wonderful shops. Your lunch and cup of coffee was more than earned after traipsing about in all that damp and cold but what a lovely way to celebrate Himself and his 75th. Happy Birthday!

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    1. Don't rush him, Hostess, 71 is quite old enough for now!

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  6. It is 40 years since I visited the Isle of Wight.... and despite the changes....some things just dont change do they ? Some fabulous nostalgic images, of what I am sure was a tremendous trip. J.

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    1. It was fun to poke about. One of the nicest things was how friendly the people were, leisurely, pleasant conversations with locals in shops, cafes and the chain-link ferry!

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  9. I love your blog : ) Looks like you had a lovely trip! I too like to post about my adventures! I bet it was a fantastic birthday!

    -Nico

    www.SatinAndSalt.com

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