Mike & Jon on the Isle of Wight 2021

A day of visiting local attractions. We cycled to The Needles and Old Battery (rocket engine test site), met Douglas from East Kilbride, and then walked across Tennyson Down past the monument (which was crowded due to a school outing) and down to Freshwater Bay. Had a cup of coffee at Dimbola and hung out with Jimi. Then the excitement happened. As Mike was cycling past some parked cars a driver opened his door and Mike went into it - almost ripping it off it’s hinges. Fortunately Mike was OK other than a big bruise on his upper arm. His bike was undamaged. Douglas from East Kilbride (who we met earlier) came over to help and Brendan from Belfast kindly took Mike and his bike back to the apartment. Brendan has a friend who originally hailed from the IoW and now live in Kynton. The are a lot of kind people in the world, but there are muppets too.   The Old Battery (Rocket Engine Test Site) The Needles Cows on Tennyson Down Mike on Tennyson Down The Tennyson Monument Freshwater Bay C...

Still a little windy but not as bad as Tuesday. Headed down to The Needles and took a left onto the bridle path over the golf course. Very overcast so no good photo opps. Somewhat hard going - a rutted gravel path with randomly strewn rocks. Once back onto the road we headed to Pyle and then to chillerton. By this point Mike, who had not been feeling particularly well from the off, decided to call it a day - so a welcome rest while we tried to find a taxi who could take a bike as well as a passenger. No easy job, as it turns out. Continuing from Chillerton to Newport and then to Yarmouth and back to Totland. The incline coming out of Yarmouth was somewhat challenging! After a shower we had a couple of games of chess (Mike won) and backgammon (Jon won) before settling down to watch the semi-final of the euros 2020 (Eng-ger-land!) with some supper: bean salad, potato salad and rice salad. Can’t beat a good salad. You can find our route details  here. Our trusty steeds View to Hannove...

Far too windy for cycling today so mooched around Totland: shopped for provisions, visited The Needles, made curry…. The Pier from the north View to the east Steps from the Coastal Path Local church The Needles Totland Bay from the south Sunset for tea :-)

 

A wonderful route (selected by Mike) utilising the Red Squirrel Trail that was mainly off road.  A circular route from Wooten Bridge, via East Cowes, Newport, Brading, St Helens, Sea View and Ryde. 32 mile at a leisurely pace with probably more stops that we planned (missed turnings, views, asking directions, usual stuff) and a welcome coffee break at the Peddlar’s cafe. Chips and beer for supper - shared with the black headed gulls (the chips, not the beer!) The route is here:  http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MTk5MzU0MTc=

A bit windy but beautiful sea views!

Packed and ready to go? Maybe. Last visit to the Skype Arms (the progenitor of this unholy outing) to make sure that we haven't forgotten anything.... Probably won't take my gi......