The interior of the isle of Wight was idyllic. Lush green fields, tiny tree lined lanes, thatched churches, old rugged castles and more. We chatted with Kevin and heard lots of data on the Isle of Wight. Such as the island is loosing 20 acres per year, both to sea level rise and subsidence of the land. The population of the island is 140K but in the summer that number doubles. Back in 1970 there was a music festival that was attended by 600,000 people! At that festival Jimmy Hendrix played one his last concerts, dying just three weeks later. There was a small statue of him out at the coast but it passed before I could get a picture. We crossed the island diagonally and got to a farm stand where we bought some produce and some small bottles of gin. Our next to last stop was the Isle of Wight distillery where we purchased more small bottles of gin and a full sized bottle of navy strength HMS Victory Gin. Finally we drove up to Osborne House where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert lived. Although the website says the hours are 10:00 - 17:00 the gate was closed at 16:06. We tried the intercom and announced that we had tickets, but we were not allowed in! Big grrrrr! So Kevin took os to the ROyal Chapel. It was delightful but it was disappointing all the same since we were still smarting from the denial at Osbourne House. Kevin then floated the idea that we could try to sneak in from the parking lot os a boutique hotel that is adjacent to he grounds. One old college try later we were still on the outside. We took the ferry across to the West Cowes and boarded the ferry for home.
A ridge of chalk hills on the Island
The island is the smallest county in England during high tide but the second smallest at low tide
A wonderful was to spend a day
Old houses all along the way
Next to the tidal flats
was this beautiful little cottage
So cute
Another fine garden
Grey squirrels were introduced from North America and unfortunately they carry a squirrel-pox virus that is harmless to the greys but kills the red squirrels
Small scale castle in the small town
A bit taller in the bigger town
Yarmouth
The moat around Carisbrooke Castle
Through this gate Charles I passed through and was imprisoned
It is located on Castle Hill
The construction began around the year 1000
A small village just downhill
Leaving the center of the island we continue east
Passing ,ore churches and fortresses
In the agricultural center
This cannon was too big for the building that it was first installed, it shook the building so much they had to remove it
Fine horses
The only thatched church on the Isle of Wight was built in the town of Freshwater to honor Alfred Lord Tennyson
Tennyson was the poet laureate for Queen Victoria
The funds to build this church came from the US
Simple but elegant
Off we go!
Arrenton Valley
Our farm stand is quite large and professional
A side of beef getting processed
Hmmm, Villainville? What sort of villain might live there
The distillery is decorated with a seahorse, the symbol of the Isle of Wight
Our offerings
After showing off my Gin Book, I was rewarded with extra bottle hangers and gin related swag
Mermaid Gin, regular, zest and pink
The HMS Victory is framed within a cutout og the Isle of Wight
Very nice graphics
Driving through Ryde on our way to the Osbourne House
Edwardian houses
All lights indicate go!
Big buildings for smallish towns
A nice walkway
Queen Victoria placed the corner stone of the family chapel
After being rebuffed by Osbourne house we visited the Royal Chapel
It was delightful
Surrounded by an old cemetary
Princess Charlotte is buried here
So many spires
We tried to sneak in the backway into Osbourne House
Past that hedge row are the grounds, but there was no way to get in
Waiting for the ferry
We had a 10 minute wait
On we go
A funny name for a ferry
Back in West Cowes and done with our tour
It has been 1 year and 11 days since we began our Migration
