tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31214452475045400062024-03-06T00:13:09.048+00:00Wightstay BlogWightstay is probably the most well-established guide to accommodation on the Isle of Wight. It has been helping visitors find accommodation and attractions since 1996.
Visit our blog regularly to find out what's happening on the Island and get more information and views about the place we think is the UK's top holiday destination.Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-12932370918914863772013-04-22T12:07:00.001+01:002013-04-22T12:11:39.952+01:00The Dunkirk spirit lives on in Cowes!<h2>
On Saturday afternoon I was waiting to cross the River Medina from East Cowes to West Cowes.</h2>
The usual crossing vessel, the chain ferry, had over-run it's annual maintenance period and was parked (with nobody working on it), so we were using the alternate Jenny passenger launch.<br />
Unfortunately, it broke down and was taken out of service. The spare boat was in Portsmouth, two hours away according to the crew who took away their broken boat and returned some time later with the Cowes Harbour pilot boat to use as a ferry.<br />
This can only take 12 passengers and no buggies or prams, so was of very limited value and consequently the queues on either side of the river were growing ever longer.<br />
Help was at hand - the local water taxis came to our assistance and a flotilla of little boats were soon running a shuttle service picking passengers off the pontoons and taking them across the river.<br />
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If you want to see the chain ferry in action take a look at our time-lapse video here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JJ3rMMpLZY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JJ3rMMpLZY</a><br />
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<br />Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-84190699714258206412013-02-18T13:29:00.000+00:002013-04-22T12:11:00.845+01:00February Half Term walk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjKC-8Ueo1MERvNlB_5jwez_bELIzrht4V7FbTrME-hRW0bYO6zE8549pPIDvCHOx1B57O2cO6NSvQQZFXV8Sc7p6Gm3aSmxIalVvCSdJ5BNlHwosBvscECSIxG34xhYmqNDjNkdkImuE/s1600/needleshurst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjKC-8Ueo1MERvNlB_5jwez_bELIzrht4V7FbTrME-hRW0bYO6zE8549pPIDvCHOx1B57O2cO6NSvQQZFXV8Sc7p6Gm3aSmxIalVvCSdJ5BNlHwosBvscECSIxG34xhYmqNDjNkdkImuE/s200/needleshurst.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b>What do you do on a Sunday in February?</b></h2>
Well, if you are on the Isle of Wight, you go for a walk to enjoy the magnificent scenery. There is so much choice - over 500 miles of waymarked footpaths, beaches, fields, forests and downs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_C9fa50mo_baABbHZIc3sOHJ_meRhBwIRzWfr8-jjKwOQDWhfYaK5tMFyXU7ohMIc4NPPSKOr9TsUcuJiLKoG0ar_LJp6L20zPACCDke7rf4lCnRyOrLq4AEWH1Ne0Al7FvTjnBffWkv/s1600/needlesbay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_C9fa50mo_baABbHZIc3sOHJ_meRhBwIRzWfr8-jjKwOQDWhfYaK5tMFyXU7ohMIc4NPPSKOr9TsUcuJiLKoG0ar_LJp6L20zPACCDke7rf4lCnRyOrLq4AEWH1Ne0Al7FvTjnBffWkv/s200/needlesbay.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
This week we looked at the prevailing wind direction and visibility and decided to go west onto Tennyson Down and walk along to the famous Needles Rocks marking the western end of the island.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf6cljNhkGlhsfKU9rlfd42GDnLSb1cxuGEPOwurK1MzUq7xK0lEhne1MG1IqvlBuE_RGFMk7ktINl_b8dpLl6vZhygWxHqrZsd_pDI5Jw1_Wh1UCtKywurGLhwrgQFGnnnB4vyPEA5tw/s1600/needlesrocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf6cljNhkGlhsfKU9rlfd42GDnLSb1cxuGEPOwurK1MzUq7xK0lEhne1MG1IqvlBuE_RGFMk7ktINl_b8dpLl6vZhygWxHqrZsd_pDI5Jw1_Wh1UCtKywurGLhwrgQFGnnnB4vyPEA5tw/s200/needlesrocket.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we climbed from the chalk pit car park behind the High Down Inn we gained stunning views of the mainland shore and Hurst Castle. At the top by the prominent Tennyson Monument we could see south into Compton Bay towards the southern tip of the island at St Catherines. Compton Bay is one of the UK's best surf spots but we could not see anybody out, I guess the wind was in the wrong direction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdXlGjK7LGpqYA-3SOV3evvgsVMyvqkYERoGF_V0N35oxncLHiF4vUCC-ecL9jdmiuzW-xKqRhruOsCm9sZHairjW9q4kJdIgnItM0rEj0z3y5MEC0QVX2jchdH-wg6FEt-YWQybMvp90/s1600/needlesboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdXlGjK7LGpqYA-3SOV3evvgsVMyvqkYERoGF_V0N35oxncLHiF4vUCC-ecL9jdmiuzW-xKqRhruOsCm9sZHairjW9q4kJdIgnItM0rEj0z3y5MEC0QVX2jchdH-wg6FEt-YWQybMvp90/s200/needlesboard.jpg" width="200" /></a>A nice walk with the breeze behind us took us to the old Rocket test site at Highdown. This once top secret site was constructed in the 1950s and was operated until 1971. It was used as a ground test firing site for Britain's space programmes. The Black Arrow launcher for Britain's first satellite, Prospero, was tested here and shipped to Woomera in Australia for launch. The satellite was launched in 1971 and is still in orbit now, 40 years later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrDSXUMz1BkEKqNzrso0GgFsIEifVqNCSrAMamCnYtIvyL53DilklQ3jirXseHexCgVywCUPWroMZhDGEcia9LZefLMAin59GxdML1pmTNU3FCqmzJh2Kt7qvQAuSW_U87j_fmgFvvDFn/s1600/needlesrocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrDSXUMz1BkEKqNzrso0GgFsIEifVqNCSrAMamCnYtIvyL53DilklQ3jirXseHexCgVywCUPWroMZhDGEcia9LZefLMAin59GxdML1pmTNU3FCqmzJh2Kt7qvQAuSW_U87j_fmgFvvDFn/s200/needlesrocks.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.n2yo.com/?s=5580" target="_blank">See where it is right now.</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG9pp1uJWWkQAkkMhjm2sA054gydFObpkM9Webml1BUWLfYNt_aNsZkKR7EE9j2BPwbQR4snmelU4dh8VreN5L5FmIeCDcBDRekpYG-TiPvnz4TCkESYPsfympsp_c5p-EulCkTfzrICT/s1600/needlesguns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG9pp1uJWWkQAkkMhjm2sA054gydFObpkM9Webml1BUWLfYNt_aNsZkKR7EE9j2BPwbQR4snmelU4dh8VreN5L5FmIeCDcBDRekpYG-TiPvnz4TCkESYPsfympsp_c5p-EulCkTfzrICT/s200/needlesguns.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Like many good British inventions and developments the space programme was cancelled as the first satellite launched due the politicians' views that there was no future for a British space industry!<br />
There is an information plaque by the old site and a museum with lots of interesting information about this site.<br />
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Just past the rocket site is a small viewing platform where you can get magnificent views of the famous Needles marking the western extremity of the island. The current lighthouse was commissioned in the 1860's and replace the original one built in 1786. The lighthouse was manned and serviced by boat, weather permitting, until a helipad was installed in 1987. The lighthouse was fully automated and the last keepers left in December 1994.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs417Bz9qbfZWRBBW5DGWEiPhP0WpTYYxVU4LCRns_mqKMVXGEXjeOPsS1EVIRFxKOgiFhydAyihbjoZwmz6bqyZWAFYj8YYuuafmiVu5qDqkIFQSE92b2zLKcwOuqImYOFp-1vp231hf/s1600/needlesalum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs417Bz9qbfZWRBBW5DGWEiPhP0WpTYYxVU4LCRns_mqKMVXGEXjeOPsS1EVIRFxKOgiFhydAyihbjoZwmz6bqyZWAFYj8YYuuafmiVu5qDqkIFQSE92b2zLKcwOuqImYOFp-1vp231hf/s200/needlesalum.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We walked from the gun emplacements at the top of the down to the old <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/needles-old-battery-and-new-battery/" target="_blank">Needle Battery</a> fort overlooking the Needles and guarding the entrance to the Solent with it's big guns. This is looked after by the National Trust and an entrance fee is normally payable, but this week it is free for half term. We went in for a most welcome cup of tea and slice of cake to recharge our batteries (sorry). The Needles Battery is mostly run by volunteers and is a very interesting visit with stunning views.<br />
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Walking back from the Needles there is a magnificent view of Alum Bay with its famous coloured sands. Tourists from all over the world come here to fill glass shapes with layers of the coloured sands. During the summer boat trips run from here to view the Needles and the sea level gun slots cut into the cliff below the Needles Battery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdyOLCrToUqeuQdfjvz4DG1awTTt_1fRriNgEHrWpJPftB3r78mKWx0qmwrYUQqeGkMrjU3r9pIfvCKWLUDHEo-8AVU4mokFI369fU0xfwY2dlmj_qc5Be-Kz9bwL-ERNEHorfqStK0JP/s1600/needleswalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdyOLCrToUqeuQdfjvz4DG1awTTt_1fRriNgEHrWpJPftB3r78mKWx0qmwrYUQqeGkMrjU3r9pIfvCKWLUDHEo-8AVU4mokFI369fU0xfwY2dlmj_qc5Be-Kz9bwL-ERNEHorfqStK0JP/s200/needleswalk.jpg" width="200" /></a>Marconi conducted his early experiments in radio here and in 1898 he managed to transmit as far as Bournemouth and Poole, 20 miles away. How far have we come with communication since then?<br />
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Finally, a walk back across the downs to the car. What a great day! Plenty of fresh air and exercise, lovely views and lots of interesting places and things to see. Perfect!<br />
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Why don't you come and see our lovely Isle of Wight - it is just as good in the winter and much less crowded.<br />
<br />Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-9195150564721399592012-04-02T11:05:00.001+01:002012-04-02T11:39:34.595+01:00April Fun<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinUF-fobNjw8zjBR53DlJwhz4LmU2bTEtktD29xXkLYXxav9tXFJ1kC3_fa24r04ASgbgqnTXdyadygHcssSmr9nGfMnIUUNFVjXCxa9e-UIxGFua290YJVMzCaUshm8967tqQ1qGw5dp/s1600/P1010585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinUF-fobNjw8zjBR53DlJwhz4LmU2bTEtktD29xXkLYXxav9tXFJ1kC3_fa24r04ASgbgqnTXdyadygHcssSmr9nGfMnIUUNFVjXCxa9e-UIxGFua290YJVMzCaUshm8967tqQ1qGw5dp/s200/P1010585.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn sets off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Having been stuck in the office during the beautiful sunshine of the last week in March we were delighted to see Sunday 1st April dawn bright and sunny, if a bit cold. Up early to take full advantage of our day off we set off to <a href="http://www.gurnardsc.org.uk/" target="_blank">Gurnard Sailing Club</a> for the first race of the Spring Series.<br />
<div>It was a lovely morning with a gentle breeze and after some close racing Dawn gained top spot on the podium much to her delight. Lunch in the club followed prepared by the all-volunteer crew. What a wonderful club Gurnard SC is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB9fVq9QIpKHG0pK9HN82vO6WMN0Jiylmzxh26S0Q6JOlEsV_4ZmYYfTPNTg7327GmQt3p3y1-fsp54PXy2U8AWTG2j2tD-U0TloRnOhUGw7LZTk1O9Q0Mm4eIvS3n1FvM49aIZcw8HFf/s1600/P1010589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB9fVq9QIpKHG0pK9HN82vO6WMN0Jiylmzxh26S0Q6JOlEsV_4ZmYYfTPNTg7327GmQt3p3y1-fsp54PXy2U8AWTG2j2tD-U0TloRnOhUGw7LZTk1O9Q0Mm4eIvS3n1FvM49aIZcw8HFf/s200/P1010589.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I grow up I want to be a Lion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the afternoon we decided on a walk around the old village of Godshill up to the Worsley monument. We parked in the old village and saw this cat lazing in the sunshine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJh437juCpJIVFa-fAJgni6eSw5YI2ENb6L3Ln4WEy0bOD_ZzPJ2mkSah8YPfn5KnzDf8C3PhRfMlQ_J0l6YdXtbcXDUq6GLba0wF2NLLp0YJrD0WxNMUGUHns6I28oklqCcThxcAh1yY/s1600/P1010600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJh437juCpJIVFa-fAJgni6eSw5YI2ENb6L3Ln4WEy0bOD_ZzPJ2mkSah8YPfn5KnzDf8C3PhRfMlQ_J0l6YdXtbcXDUq6GLba0wF2NLLp0YJrD0WxNMUGUHns6I28oklqCcThxcAh1yY/s200/P1010600.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then we set off along the footpath behind the Griffin pub. This take you through the meadows and a bluebell wood out onto the lower slopes of the downs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBLbdpj3GWuKH7Yfn2N3ihWSgBaCVH1dmHfAN8uPo1J34k0Ds-0zm47JVOaR1J9SsT5ejm0VsMjozhr08v_QXnAOSXxYm6QM0Qf-Xdkg9ac9lnf3plWD9Dpwqnik_tR5FbO8wRE-bAm94/s1600/P1010612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBLbdpj3GWuKH7Yfn2N3ihWSgBaCVH1dmHfAN8uPo1J34k0Ds-0zm47JVOaR1J9SsT5ejm0VsMjozhr08v_QXnAOSXxYm6QM0Qf-Xdkg9ac9lnf3plWD9Dpwqnik_tR5FbO8wRE-bAm94/s200/P1010612.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>There is a steep climb up the steps but the view is fabulous. Why would you want to go abroad when you have such stunning scenery right here in the Isle of Wight?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyvyxDXKs8k08MYDSt95oYQbTtwu_fKzi13aVFcArgbmCoO4pilCKG-GbBKbBp_ZqmTlyFKElXCXnfEOjIPV9DJFvMWnv3aGVu9psG-x6-jnAfQeg-dnjHAenQe6LPm32ueKyGAAUH7e4/s1600/P1010624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyvyxDXKs8k08MYDSt95oYQbTtwu_fKzi13aVFcArgbmCoO4pilCKG-GbBKbBp_ZqmTlyFKElXCXnfEOjIPV9DJFvMWnv3aGVu9psG-x6-jnAfQeg-dnjHAenQe6LPm32ueKyGAAUH7e4/s200/P1010624.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Almost at the top - do you think we will reach the moon?</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlbSXdt6_0ib0Iawrvpfa6fedS4Bvga4o3hzDinP0XFR1E0doSBgmV3HG7JLneNKIA_X9US_PrEoReURTSO4dk9dr6JpzN0yaEOWBi7KhoTf6VfXIcj5an_swuwuYkZxgAVnzZ2xnQkL0/s1600/P1010634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlbSXdt6_0ib0Iawrvpfa6fedS4Bvga4o3hzDinP0XFR1E0doSBgmV3HG7JLneNKIA_X9US_PrEoReURTSO4dk9dr6JpzN0yaEOWBi7KhoTf6VfXIcj5an_swuwuYkZxgAVnzZ2xnQkL0/s200/P1010634.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Back down through the woods past the Freemantle gate to the Appuldurcombe estate. It is very spooky to find this huge structure beside the footpath and it makes you realise how grand the estate must have been on the old days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT8k5E7VM9XofI8XWIQ3HA6La4CQNGhq2i7PJmLr7PbsZhQnlT7rMsEdTJQB3bAulCFzZJshiXI5imtYESWqR63tlconFTIZRE3Yg6Znv89kRJkzTjmFEZO6TbHiINvVsI4GeK0C1tpOA/s1600/P1010645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT8k5E7VM9XofI8XWIQ3HA6La4CQNGhq2i7PJmLr7PbsZhQnlT7rMsEdTJQB3bAulCFzZJshiXI5imtYESWqR63tlconFTIZRE3Yg6Znv89kRJkzTjmFEZO6TbHiINvVsI4GeK0C1tpOA/s200/P1010645.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS5_p0rEAgS_8c7RmW7vZIM-f3txonolDR72JXoef9ONRjZ4fanxF9JhL7e8ZJaYlxrLI7BLL4R920iYYMOi3kN0HC_XECMgEerS_jN5yRSRX1Y1-9eNcjUpTUj0AFVTXGjZfV9XlK58q/s1600/P1010641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS5_p0rEAgS_8c7RmW7vZIM-f3txonolDR72JXoef9ONRjZ4fanxF9JhL7e8ZJaYlxrLI7BLL4R920iYYMOi3kN0HC_XECMgEerS_jN5yRSRX1Y1-9eNcjUpTUj0AFVTXGjZfV9XlK58q/s200/P1010641.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Then we came to a farm with some rather unusual animals. The Llama with her lovely long eyelashes and the pigs that look like sheep!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rx7Kv3qE7XKmLt739ZDAB5WVF3wEu6e0MlYatwcbv1oCGp04OM-56YcuBxGRMFLkhyphenhyphen0W9r0gh4WwWy2oq8okh7h6Mcm2v3q3x0x5fgA55AU65c3ZLTycN-o2CReTjBWUjPN6o3vh0Gf_/s1600/P1010655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rx7Kv3qE7XKmLt739ZDAB5WVF3wEu6e0MlYatwcbv1oCGp04OM-56YcuBxGRMFLkhyphenhyphen0W9r0gh4WwWy2oq8okh7h6Mcm2v3q3x0x5fgA55AU65c3ZLTycN-o2CReTjBWUjPN6o3vh0Gf_/s200/P1010655.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmyQJOTRNMCbzlvqdaI4QCe-OFYwrmyJ0kwCzlXEBZZ2LnHbe8KsqD2s7b-9zjP6gsb17HCFaXbuqXaDI4PUxJTDUZsD2HLIeDXXNhPLBlw_NNZCi5Ne8FTjdwQzK3L9lblNq4dKhsPda/s1600/P1010663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmyQJOTRNMCbzlvqdaI4QCe-OFYwrmyJ0kwCzlXEBZZ2LnHbe8KsqD2s7b-9zjP6gsb17HCFaXbuqXaDI4PUxJTDUZsD2HLIeDXXNhPLBlw_NNZCi5Ne8FTjdwQzK3L9lblNq4dKhsPda/s200/P1010663.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Finally, back through the Bluebell woods. We just had to have a play on the rope swings and climb the fallen trees.<br />
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What a great day!<br />
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The Isle of Wight is beautiful all year so why don't you come and see for yourselves?<br />
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</div>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-15878188304914018492012-02-03T14:07:00.000+00:002012-02-03T14:07:35.706+00:00Half Term on the Isle of WightFebruary half term is fast approaching, and where better to spend it than on the Isle of Wight? There is certainly no shortage of events happening on the Island throughout February, to keep the whole family entertained.<br />
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For a great family day out, hop on a train at the <a href="http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/special-events/february/half-term-open-week/details/3-half-term-open-week-and-steam-a-diesel-service-week.html" target="_blank">Isle of Wight Steam Railway</a>: as part of their half term open week, steam locomotive No. 192 ‘Waggoner’ is running alongside diesel locomotive D2059, taking passengers on a trip through some of the Island’s most treasured spots. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even get off at Ashey to explore some of the Island’s beautiful countryside.<br />
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Everyone loves a good story, and <a href="http://www.iwight.com/council/publicservices/serviceDetail.aspx?servID=1625" target="_blank">Ryde Library</a> is running an ‘I Love You’ story-time for 4-8 year olds on the 13th and 14th February, from 2:30-3:45pm. It’s free, with no need to book, and includes stories, games and a crafts session, making it the perfect, stress-free outing for young families.<br />
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For all those aspiring explorers, there is a Natural Wight and Wildlife Trust Mini Explorers Day for 8-13 year olds at Bouldnor Forest on Thursday 16th February. The event runs from 10am -3pm, and pre-booking is recommended on 01983 404344.<br />
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To get a taste of Island history, join Tony Gale as he explores smuggling on the Island at the <a href="http://www.classicboatmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Classic Boat Museum Gallery</a> in East Cowes. The talk starts at 7pm, and admission is only £2 – a bargain!<br />
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Step back even further in time and go along to <a href="http://www.iwight.com/council/departments/museums/newport_roman_villa/" target="_blank">Newport Roman Villa’s</a> ‘Clay Day’ on Wednesday 15th February. It costs just £1 and runs from 10:30am – 4pm; more information is available on 01983 823433.<br />
Or go right back to the age of the dinosaurs with the Island’s popular attraction, <a href="http://www.dinosaurisle.com/events.aspx#feb12" target="_blank">Dinosaur Isle</a>. Fossil walks are happening daily throughout half term, and booking is essential.<br />
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If music and entertainment are more your thing, <a href="http://www.medinatheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Medina Theatre</a> is offering a wealth of events for every taste. Bookending the half term week are award-winning local group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wight-Strollers/287615674615745" target="_blank">The Wight Strollers</a> with their pantomime ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’, a show bursting with live music and laughter for all. There are performances on Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th and Saturday 18th February.<br />
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Not quite in half term, but definitely worth a mention, are the world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac tribute band, <a href="http://www.fleetwoodbac.com/" target="_blank">Fleetwood Bac</a>, who are returning to <a href="http://www.medinatheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Medina Theatre</a> on Friday 24th February. Endorsed by the legendary Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood Bac create a mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry in a show that is truly magical: a must for all music fans!<br />
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Whatever your family loves to do, the Isle of Wight promises to delight adults and children alike at half term with its local charm.<br />
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</div>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-78406776109665777972011-08-31T10:06:00.000+01:002011-08-31T10:06:08.306+01:00Lonely Planet singles out Isle of Wight in the top 10 global cycling destinations<div class="prFullText">With the Wessex combined League Cyclocross champion on our staff line-up, Wightstay know how good the Isle of Wight is for cycling. Turns out Lonely Planet have been exploring the Island, too. This is from the Isle of Wight Council's recent press release: <br />
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The Isle of Wight has been named as one of the top 10 destinations in the world for cycling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down into one of the Island's deep and mysterious green gullies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Lonely Planet Guide describes the Isle of Wight as a 'cycling paradise that is home to some of the UK's most varied terrain'<br />
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It goes on to describe 'lush velvet hills rolling into the sea, narrow lanes through tidy hedgerows, deep and mysterious green gullies, and the Island's most striking feature, the ridge of white chalk cliffs stretching across its breadth.'<br />
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The Isle of Wight is listed alongside destinations including the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand, San Juan Islands in Washington in the USA and the West Coast in Tasmania, Australia.<br />
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David Pugh, IW Council Leader said "This is very good news for the Isle of Wight, especially ahead of the annual Isle of Wight Cycling Festival which is organised by the council.<br />
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"We are blessed with stunning views and areas of outstanding natural beauty and, as a keen cyclist myself, I am not surprised the Island has made it into the top 10 destinations of the world."<br />
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It is not the first time cycling on the Island has been highlighted by national publications. The Good Mountain Biking Guide described the Tennyson Trail as 'possibly the best chalk trail in the UK' while the IW Cycling Festival regularly features in national and international media.<br />
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This year the festival is held between 17 - 25 September and features over 60 rides, including the popular Hills Killer and Cycle the Wight.<br />
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More information on the Cycling Festival can be found at <a href="http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">www.sunseaandcycling.com</span></span></u></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></u><br />
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<u><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></u></div>We'll see you out on the trails this autumn!Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-64579102062077472312011-06-09T10:25:00.000+01:002011-06-09T10:25:27.631+01:00Warming up for the Isle of Wight FestivalThis weekend it's the Isle of Wight Festival! As ever there's a huge range of acts who must be making their way to the Island right now, most of whom must be checking the weather forecasts hoping it stays dry. The headliners include <a href="http://www.kingsofleon.com/">Kings of Leon</a>, <a href="http://www.foofighters.com/">Foo Fighters</a>, <a href="http://www.pulppeople.com/">Pulp</a>, <a href="http://www.kaiserchiefs.com/">Kaiser Chiefs</a>, <a href="http://www.kasabian.co.uk/">Kasabian </a>and a huge slew of other artists.<br />
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I can see one of my Wightstay co-workers already has their Messenger status set as 'FESTIVALLLLLL' so I suspect they're possibly going this weekend. Isle of Wight Festival is now a huge event, with a 20,000 people increase from last year to 90,000 attendees.<br />
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Obviously this means Newport will be frantic during this weekend, but places like the West Wight will still provide quiet and tranquility for those wanting to get away from the hurly-burly of the Festival traffic.<br />
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We took a drive down the Military Road, the South Western coastal road, last night. It was bathed in beautiful light as the sun went down. Although it took us rather longer to drive, we've condensed it down for you, so why not have a watch:<br />
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This is the sort of reason (aside from the Isle of Wight Festival!) people come to the Island. The coastal areas are largely unspoilt and have great, safe, clean water to swim in. Check out the list of beaches <a href="http://www.iwight.com/just_visiting/beaches/">here</a>. There are three Blue Flag certified beaches at Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown, as well as the more rural areas.<br />
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So, if you're here for the FESTIVALLLLLL (or the <a href="http://www.bestival.net/">Bestival </a>in September) don't forget to have a look around the rest of the Island - it is a stunner!WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-19849052798822863872010-12-26T10:22:00.000+00:002010-12-26T10:22:51.822+00:00Isle of Wight Festival Calendar 2011If you're thinking about coming on holiday to the Isle of Wight, we thought a round up of 2011's festival events might be useful, if you're helping to set your calendars, so here's a round-up of some of the highlights!<br />
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The <a href="http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/">Isle of Wight Walking Festiva</a>l kicks off May 7th-22nd. Our properties are an ideal base, with footpaths very close to all of them. Bring your hiking boots and stride out on the feature walks in this festival in 2011.<br />
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Sailing into the nearest town to our properties is the <a href="http://www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk/">Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival</a> on 3-5th June, providing a fantastic spectacle of these gracious boats cruising and racing out of Yarmouth, with great viewing along the seafront and from Yarmouth Pier.<br />
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The <a href="http://isleofwightfestival.com/">Isle of Wight Festival</a> takes place 10-12th June and the line up is looking particularly fine this year, with <a href="http://www.kingsofleon.com/">Kings of Leon</a>, <a href="http://pulppeople.com/">Pulp</a>, <a href="http://www.foofighters.com/">Foo Fighters</a> and <a href="http://www.kasabian.co.uk/">Kasabian </a>breathing a new generation of life into the 'legends' theme.<br />
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Hot on the heels of the Old Gaffers is the <a href="http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/">Round the Island Sailing Race</a> on 25th June. If you've never seen a flotilla of thousands of sailing boats racing around the world-famous Needles it is not to be missed! Some fantastic viewing locations are only a few minutes from our houses.<br />
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2011 is a very special year for the Isle of Wight - we're hosting the<a href="http://www.natwestislandgames2011.co.uk/"> NatWest Island Games</a> 25 June - 2nd July. People from Islands all around the world will converge on the Isle of Wight to take part in a wide range of events, held at numerous venues. Whether you want to spectate, or you're involved, you can find great facilities on <a href="http://wightstay.co.uk/">Wightstay </a>for this event.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.unidos.org.uk/2010/11/rhythm-tree-2011">Rhythm Tree World Music Festival</a> at <a href="http://www.calbournewatermill.co.uk/">Calbourne Water Mill</a> returns 22-24th July. If you don't fancy camping and aren't so good with teepees <a href="http://wightstay.co.uk/">Wightstay </a>has accommodation available close to this jolly, small festival.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cowesweek.co.uk/">Cowes Week</a> storms on to the Island 6-13th August, bringing with it a huge range of events and activities, in addition to the sailing. After some stunning action in 2010, the <a href="http://www.extreme40.org/">Extreme 40</a> racing series has just last week confirmed it will be back in Cowes in 2011 for the UK round. It really is sailing's Formula 1 racing series!<br />
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Foodies should make sure they get to the <a href="http://www.garlic-festival.co.uk/">Garlic Festival</a> 20-21st August. With all things garlic and an increasing range of other culinary delights it's an eating event not to be missed.<br />
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With acts including The Cure, Brian Wilson DJ Shadow and many others <a href="http://bestival.net/">The Bestival</a> is already hotting up to be a fantastic event.<br />
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The Isle of Wight International Classic Car Show takes place at Newport Quay on 17th September and Ryde's Eastern Gardens on September 18th, with proceeds going to different charities on either day.<br />
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This is followed up by the <a href="http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/">Sun Sea and Cycling</a> festival 18-26th September. Many of the properties on Wightstay are bike-friendly and provide easy access to the Isle of Wight's quiet roads and the great bridleway network - the most dense and well-maintained in the UK.<br />
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The 2011 season closes with the <a href="http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/">Autumn Walking Weekend</a> 21-24th October, with a series of events already in place to suit a wide range of abilities.<br />
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Look out for updates from the Wightstay Team through 2011 about all of these events and more and if you're holding an event you'd like listed or covered, don't hesitate to get in contact with us!Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-48380785144447093762010-12-02T15:44:00.000+00:002010-12-02T15:44:02.079+00:00Snow day on the Isle of WightFor the second time this year the Isle of Wight has been hit hard with snow. It was starting to look like we might miss what the rest of country had been experiencing throughout the week, but overnight the white stuff fell constantly and we woke up this morning to a perfect blanket of snow. The pictures below were shot early this morning on a walk through Cowes. Shame it is a bit too early for Christmas, but at least there are a couple of snow laden Christmas trees on route.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowes Esplanade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queens Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowes Town Centre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Union Inn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Tree outside The Vectis Tavern</td></tr>
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</div>seanthecyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200131538243759074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-73280328794281718912010-11-26T09:58:00.000+00:002010-11-26T09:58:58.134+00:00Celebrating Isle of Wight festivals 2010While there's a lot of excitement about Tom Jones joining the Isle of Wight Festival this year we want to take a moment to celebrate (slightly late) a rather fine accolade recently given to Rob da Bank and his <a href="http://bestival.net/">Bestival</a>. Last Friday the Bestival 2010 won Best Large Festival at the <a href="http://uk.festivalawards.com/news1/and-the-winners-are/">UK Festival Awards</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53843905@N06/5189864810/">Photo of Rob receiving his award here.</a><br />
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Seeing as the Bestival has only been going since 2004 this really does represent a meteoric rise for Rob's Bestival. One of our contributors was at the Bestival throughout this year, with his camera. <a href="http://ventnorblog.com/">VentnorBlog</a> recently featured his pictures <a href="http://ventnorblog.com/2010/10/10/bestival-2010-thomas-cowley%E2%80%99s-photo-galleries/">here</a>.<br />
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The graph shows just how the Bestival has had to scale since 2004 when 5000 people attended. They've risen to the challenge with aplomb! This year - the Year of the Fantastic - bands included The Prodigy, The Flaming lips, Dizzee Rascal, Rolf Harris, Gil Scott-Heron, Roxy Music, Marc Almond, Level 42, Echo & The Bunnymen, The XX, Howard Jones, Heaven 17, Chase & Status, Tinie Tempah, Rox, Simian Mobile Disco, Stornoway, Hot Chip, The Wailers, Lucky Elephant, Ellie Goulding, as well as the usual collection of Isle of Wight bands. <br />
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These performers were spread over the main stage, the big top, the rock stage and the bandstand, as well as various other smaller performance areas. <br />
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Some of our favourite pictures - possibly the most photographed fancy dress outfit at the event:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4KQMCOYt6XRvrtccpZ0P-Barclnq_SvTChYTwgCbQ8n9rAoKMaKgq_bb2bO-o6jCaABnbG1zNvgJcCSu3HO7Hed3m679o_tHv9HXDbtR5HLF6sd5jAKc-PmlPaHE3LkgRCL1tBO12t5R/s1600/Bestiv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4KQMCOYt6XRvrtccpZ0P-Barclnq_SvTChYTwgCbQ8n9rAoKMaKgq_bb2bO-o6jCaABnbG1zNvgJcCSu3HO7Hed3m679o_tHv9HXDbtR5HLF6sd5jAKc-PmlPaHE3LkgRCL1tBO12t5R/s320/Bestiv1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Wayne Coynes of <a href="http://www.flaminglips.com/">The Flaming Lips</a> whips everyone into a frenzy - 'she can be a helicopter' - cue everyone in the audience making helicopter noises and whirling their arms above their heads! Their set was like a carnival, with ticker tape poppers and huge exploding balloons filled with confetti thrown out over the crowd. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jgn3pZK7CU2H3Rs1QP9sqDUEURpeNcEIWGDXrXemEFcoADWxsOXJgUGIJhQlMuVIaZMxl63JP0iIjvXXHS75OE6SDjYMEF_spvZZvdcLJuXgIWzsQ-IcXOmd_DP-ZCqUaVk_L1hcAgAr/s1600/Bestiv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jgn3pZK7CU2H3Rs1QP9sqDUEURpeNcEIWGDXrXemEFcoADWxsOXJgUGIJhQlMuVIaZMxl63JP0iIjvXXHS75OE6SDjYMEF_spvZZvdcLJuXgIWzsQ-IcXOmd_DP-ZCqUaVk_L1hcAgAr/s320/Bestiv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://lcdsoundsystem.com/main/"> LCD Soundsystem</a> close the Big Top at 1AM on Monday morning with an amazing euphoric set (can you tell I'm a fan?)<br />
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We'll definitely be there again in 2011!Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-16467934949335790292010-10-14T11:12:00.001+01:002010-10-14T11:13:03.243+01:00Dinosaurs and vintage buses this weekend!<div class="MsoNormal">This weekend at <a href="http://www.dinosaurisle.com/events.aspx">Dinosaur Isle </a>there’s an exhibition of fossils, prehistoric finds and other ancient artefacts collected from the Isle of Wight and beyond. The display will range from flint axe heads through dinosaur bones, down to the smallest of fossil insects.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-GbIoPTzuJ0T8EaFw2YREIQz_1uLKJjHYMhZrG2pbgH8nfnvpUFGH1wSpbucivJCx9a6rHJxMoUs3k3i6pnlxNl-sEDVF1ZVeN1xA1JB5Sq4fDcYjjFGshQTNvjfkjSVDCWFUg6zv9g/s1600/DinoIsle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-GbIoPTzuJ0T8EaFw2YREIQz_1uLKJjHYMhZrG2pbgH8nfnvpUFGH1wSpbucivJCx9a6rHJxMoUs3k3i6pnlxNl-sEDVF1ZVeN1xA1JB5Sq4fDcYjjFGshQTNvjfkjSVDCWFUg6zv9g/s1600/DinoIsle.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">You’ll be able to chat to palaeontologists, archaeologists, natural historians and collectors from Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Displays include those from the Natural History Museum, Gosport SEARCH and Portsmouth University. If you go along you can also take part in activities run by the Isle of Wight Heritage Service. Face painting will be available for children. Weather permitting there will also be two guided fossil walks running at Shanklin and Yaverland beaches. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What better way to spend Saturday with the kids?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk/index.html">Isle of Wight Bus Museum</a> provide the entertainment on Sunday, with their <a href="http://www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk/Page%20352%20Running%20Day%202010.html">annual running day</a>. An amazing variety of vintage buses and coaches have homes on the Island and these will be bought together at Newport Quay on Sunday 17<sup>th</sup> October. The day will include bus runs around Newport and a wide variety of vehicles, including pre-WWII buses and coaches.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-62281245849299638412010-09-28T22:45:00.000+01:002010-09-28T22:45:28.599+01:00Save Ventnor Botanic GardenVentnor Botanic Garden is currently local authority owned. It is a much valued and loved local resource. It also houses a significant and beautiful collection of plants. The public future of the garden is currently in question, as the Isle of Wight's local authority reviews its spending plans and tries to find ways of spending money.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXSftEu6XGHhHKCBcboee4eZm5Oy2zZk4nSMFkwtt4Gc-Iflpjb0g9ZPJ8p2hXHJdVa7e1Y_8Bsnks42VM4zEjTz4r2h_Ujsk7z8KNmBCApB9XqzOxLYEg7FPKF8DDIUNj3yom1BSffU/s320/IMG_3447LR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The visitor centre at Ventnor Botanic Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMixk10S0QrhAzj9Oh5SndkL_8h-qVfMblQQFZ2mXcjXGQBkfQorvIbH6voHZsGPcIICiSbfe0TPZzH9vlfXWPWY0phJdiqXdRGer2ibpqD3ZyiGeHkT4se9zPV66ziK-T5Ub1OUY9dUA/s320/2609_5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vine walkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMixk10S0QrhAzj9Oh5SndkL_8h-qVfMblQQFZ2mXcjXGQBkfQorvIbH6voHZsGPcIICiSbfe0TPZzH9vlfXWPWY0phJdiqXdRGer2ibpqD3ZyiGeHkT4se9zPV66ziK-T5Ub1OUY9dUA/s1600/2609_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Some of the Wightstay team spent last weekend at the garden, supporting the Hop Festival, which was a celebration of arts, crafts and local produce from the Island. A beer produced from the garden's own hops was also launched at the event (hence the name). We want to see this fantastic and beautiful resource stay in public hands for future generations to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26VtrwZOMlHAyNqgbQBWtFW51bH7cT3wsitOZEj-uen_G_fXImkBtlmYYTHF0x0jFzWI33AxiDJGZ6GFY8agoW_w2Z3m-R1FYASkHJlppU3KzELQaAJMIyrtm8xBzMR3TmUNQD01iDko/s320/IMG_3493LR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hop Festival 25-26th September 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26VtrwZOMlHAyNqgbQBWtFW51bH7cT3wsitOZEj-uen_G_fXImkBtlmYYTHF0x0jFzWI33AxiDJGZ6GFY8agoW_w2Z3m-R1FYASkHJlppU3KzELQaAJMIyrtm8xBzMR3TmUNQD01iDko/s1600/IMG_3493LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
There is a limited time public consultation. If you feel the garden should remain in public ownership, please complete it <a href="http://www.botanic.co.uk/contact_us/contactus.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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Resources like this are a fantastic place for all ages. <a href="http://www.botanic.co.uk/default.asp"> The Botanic Garden</a> is a fantastic place to visit if you're visiting the Isle of Wight.WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-37913649661985330772010-09-02T10:12:00.000+01:002010-09-02T10:12:08.136+01:00James May is invading!Well, OK he's only talking about it, but it's great that he thinks the Isle of Wight is worth invading!<br />
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Excerpt from his new book <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/7970600/It-wont-be-hard-to-invade-the-Isle-of-Wight.html">here</a>.<br />
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As noted in the comments the Isle of Wight is getting a <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/index.aspx">Waitrose </a>this winter. At <a href="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/">Wightstay </a>this is something particularly exciting as the new Waitrose will be only a couple of hundred metres from our HQ. As you can see it's getting tantalisingly close already:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeHs-STjXeZABqrLo_GBsOPUr2XC-Hwq-P6kJtM1rqZwRwj_KDsy9ib86Jjww87WWu9IbsMdLJjFR1KQUZVoKDKJsaNb6eTsJxX_xRsUNJmEp1K39faRR3vZN2ijvNy6Y2q6LtsoLmoKV/s1600/WaitroseSept2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeHs-STjXeZABqrLo_GBsOPUr2XC-Hwq-P6kJtM1rqZwRwj_KDsy9ib86Jjww87WWu9IbsMdLJjFR1KQUZVoKDKJsaNb6eTsJxX_xRsUNJmEp1K39faRR3vZN2ijvNy6Y2q6LtsoLmoKV/s320/WaitroseSept2010.jpg" /></a></div>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-10706680445166510012010-08-18T11:41:00.059+01:002010-08-18T12:08:11.848+01:00Brambles Cricket Match - The SolentOn Saturday 14th August 2010 the annual Brambles cricket match was played out in the Solent. Yes! in the Solent. At a full or new moon as the first signs of a Autumn start to appear, for a brief spell a sandbank appears in the middle of the Solent and this, since the 1950's, has been put to good use; most recently by the Island Sailing Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Early Saturday morning the teams sailed out to wait for the strip of sand to reveal itself. This years game was won by Island Sailing Club and in the short time the bank was above water, the two teams played out seven overs before returning to their vessels and heading back to shore.<br />
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For more information on the Annual Brambles Cricket match please take a look at these links below, and if you have access to the bank next year, why not go out, set up your deck-chair and enjoy a piece of British eccentricity at its very best.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk/islandinfo/brambles.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk/islandinfo/brambles.aspx</a><br />
<a href="http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/cricketers-all-at-sea-34268.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/cricketers-all-at-sea-34268.aspx</a><br />
<a href="http://www.strangebritain.co.uk/allthingsodd/bramble.html" target="_blank">http://www.strangebritain.co.uk/allthingsodd/bramble.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/7939378/Out-for-a-ducking-the-Brambles-cricket-match.html" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/7939378/Out-for-a-ducking-the-Brambles-cricket-match.html</a>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-36181757925754517392010-08-10T17:33:00.001+01:002010-08-14T16:32:26.344+01:00Isle of Wight Cycling Festival and the 7 Hills KillerOnly weeks left now until the 2010 <a href="http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Isle of Wight Cycling Festival</a>. This year the festivities run from 18th-26th September and as usual many rides and events are taking place; around 60 in fact, ranging from events just for kids to the now legendary <a href="http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/hills-killer.aspx" target="_blank">Hills Killer</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8XbgQW9dlEg3hBM0DBuDpsX6VgMyKnERcmnIEITm1VRVMWt8rFyYdim1FWSUxGdlrmkdgX4DWsPcSjwtTOhRTWUlJJbG8q71glqLECQlm6ABOW8aOTjKOKo2Wy8W8Upw-XNKZTwsHUcI/s1600/31947_395908693860_579578860_4301773_7418154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8XbgQW9dlEg3hBM0DBuDpsX6VgMyKnERcmnIEITm1VRVMWt8rFyYdim1FWSUxGdlrmkdgX4DWsPcSjwtTOhRTWUlJJbG8q71glqLECQlm6ABOW8aOTjKOKo2Wy8W8Upw-XNKZTwsHUcI/s320/31947_395908693860_579578860_4301773_7418154_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brook Down Descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hills Killer consists of three options: <b>3 Hills Challenge</b> - <b style="font-weight: normal;">Chale Green Stores, Chale Green</b> , <b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>7 Hills Challenge</b> - Apple Tree Cafe, Afton Park, Newport Road, Freshwater and the </span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b>14 Hills Challenge</b> - Park Resorts, Landguard Holidays Camp Site, Landguard Road, Shanklin</b>. All the rides finish at Landguard Holiday Camp in Shanklin.<br />
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You may notice in this blog that I switch between past and present tense to describe the route and that is because it was and still is very much as I describe it. I rode in the very early days, but it still remains very much the same. It may not be a known fact to many, but The Hills Killer actually dates back to the very early 1990's, and if I recall correctly 1993 was the first running. The very first 7 Hills Killer as it was known then was run in exactly the same format, following orienteering points stretching from Freshwater Bay Car Park to the famous Offshore Sports in Shanklin. Sadly, although the Killer event still exists, Offshore Sports does not, but the shop and its co-owner Ian Williams (<a href="http://www.coachhousepublications.co.uk/authorpage.php?aid=101" target="_blank">author of Cycling Wight and other related publications</a>) can claim to be the legitimate founder of the event all those years ago. I know this because Ian is a good friend and I remember his boyish excitement when he gathered us all up on a club run and told us of his intention to run the event later that year. I rode all these early events for at least the first seven or eight years and worked in the bike shop at Offshore, I was also very active in Mountain Bike racing during those early boom years of the sport.<br />
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As mentioned, the format was just the same and the popularity - especially in those early years - was just as intense. At the time, it was the locals that rode the Hills, but it wasn't strange to see 60-70 riders out in the depths of January, ankle deep in mud, clad in Buffalo Cycling Fleeces (yes those nasty jackets that had a strap under the crotch) and Etto helmets, both classic icons of early 90's Retro Mountain Biking. The bikes too were about as retro as you could get, suspension was in its very early years and disc brakes were a thing of the future. None of that put us off though, and every January, Ian would venture out on the trails with his wife Jill, with a bag of markers, ride the whole route and place the checkpoints at fairly obvious locations so that we could all just get on with the ride without spending too much time searching for hidden markers (this element of hiding did go through some varying changes over the years, to the annoyance of several riders, including myself).<br />
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The Seven Hills Killer often turned into a bit of a race, unofficial, but such was the intensity of competition that some of us just couldn't help it. The likes of myself and other MTB race regulars Simon White, Damon Stanley, Will Steward, 90's Master female National Champion Fiona Ecclestone and a clutch of other very fit riders and friends such as the sadly missed Mark Rann (a winner of the event and namesake of the original trophy) and Paul McDermott, who has a ride at this years <a href="http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/festival-rides.aspx" target="_blank">Festival in his memory</a>. We all knew the best route, where the markers were and what the conditions would be like, so the event became finely tuned over a number of years.<br />
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After the very first event, lessons were learnt, like placing a marker at top of Freshwater Golf Course, not at the bottom of Brook down near the road, where surprisingly only one rider sussed that it would be quicker to go round the Down on the road rather than over it - then promptly got the quickest time!!! By year two, the obvious course was set and competition hotted up. I can't really remember all the facts now, or finishing positions/times, but I know one thing for sure, pretty much each year there was a different winner, such was the unpredictability of the terrain. I think I may have won it twice and I'm pretty sure that I got the quickest time ever 1hour 57mins (until they changed the start finish points in the last ten years) on a freak day in January where conditions where perfect!! No mud, although I seem to remember the trails were totally frozen and three of us finished a ways ahead of the rest with all markers visited and punched within a few minutes of one another; the closest ever I reckon... A few reading this will complain that it is not a race and they'd be right - it isn't a race, but we all knew that getting the quickest time or beating your mates was the appeal. Maybe that's a racers mentality, but this event was the most popular for a reason, and we had many conventional MTB orienterring events on the Island throughout the year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoJjaeQs1yrloASW4Ar8u9TxUtboefTeYKCkTS0a93Idge4sUnFfr2pEdos2BE0s-xe497eYhaMHhzPjDyg_-GkQemYGKiflctcgF4iJ3HBuZ0tKSYifXmSChbHUaJy0U3v32qzQlLJCy/s1600/31947_395908683860_579578860_4301772_7435037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoJjaeQs1yrloASW4Ar8u9TxUtboefTeYKCkTS0a93Idge4sUnFfr2pEdos2BE0s-xe497eYhaMHhzPjDyg_-GkQemYGKiflctcgF4iJ3HBuZ0tKSYifXmSChbHUaJy0U3v32qzQlLJCy/s320/31947_395908683860_579578860_4301772_7435037_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshwater Golf Course Bridleway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That was the old route though, and we had refined it, the whole way sticking to rules and law about riding only on Bridleways and Byways (that's important to remember, even now ;0). There were choices concerning which way to go to get to markers, but we all knew the tricks. Always starting from <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.670381,-1.5034&spn=0.003815,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Freshwater Bay</a> we would sprint up the road to the Golf Club car park/bridleway, shoot through the car park and onto the chalk trail. This cut out the sapping grass option before the club house before eventually meeting with the chalk track further up, leading up over the main bridleway. The first marker was always on the gate at the end of the <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.669178,-1.472822&spn=0.003815,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Golf Course</a>, and we'd all fumble with thick gloves and/or cold fingers for the hole stamp card we used back then to clip the point and prove we'd been at the checkpoint. The problem was getting these cards out of your pocket, always requiring glove removal. It was pointless shoving them down your top as the sweat would make the card all soggy. This, over the following years, led to some ingenious devices and inventions that meant access the punch card was much easier. Unfortunately some of these devices were pretty nasty and could only be described as only just short of medieval weaponry. The worst I saw was a lump of sharp aluminium zip-tied to the handlebars, just to hold a map and the punch card. I just put mine in a plastic bag and hung it round my neck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmMG4F4ZZ4IA34K8vY6Pv80buDuSTHowQZPA2nwopOnRIm6G5PPJk6Gje2nYOgrW25NZE3iPexFF1mm7iNVquBv7AypKnzEeBAHyaj-HIbkAX4bm11O4PlyxNYj-Z0DnJXUiKdzz6Co04/s1600/31947_395908713860_579578860_4301775_6493964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmMG4F4ZZ4IA34K8vY6Pv80buDuSTHowQZPA2nwopOnRIm6G5PPJk6Gje2nYOgrW25NZE3iPexFF1mm7iNVquBv7AypKnzEeBAHyaj-HIbkAX4bm11O4PlyxNYj-Z0DnJXUiKdzz6Co04/s320/31947_395908713860_579578860_4301775_6493964_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalk Trail on Brook Down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stopping was what got me, I hated it, and to be honest even now I shy away from such events because of that one aspect. But The Seven Hills had an addictive charm and still does, and this was always enhanced by the stunning views and scenery that you see once the top of <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.663411,-1.445593&spn=0.003815,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Brook Down</a> is reached. Even now, having ridden that trail hundreds of times, it is still awe-inspiring and great to know that this beautiful part of England is on my doorstep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjyTFoxkJVOb9RSBlxBmpRsdg4cxbbyYad3mlQdUjsBSzO5zcc_5mS5C3RAQPqOl5MIgfdJ4iYVMSQS8-PTNU8_jMx2JLlS2TpWvzKKGhmChsHlF4EfPwQ5_4Zt19uMEX-ReC_L5Td9pu/s1600/31947_395908678860_579578860_4301771_7039074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjyTFoxkJVOb9RSBlxBmpRsdg4cxbbyYad3mlQdUjsBSzO5zcc_5mS5C3RAQPqOl5MIgfdJ4iYVMSQS8-PTNU8_jMx2JLlS2TpWvzKKGhmChsHlF4EfPwQ5_4Zt19uMEX-ReC_L5Td9pu/s320/31947_395908678860_579578860_4301771_7039074_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll go up this at Brook Down if you do the 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A quick descent down the Chalk to the first road crossing and onto <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.662962,-1.436559&spn=0.003815,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Brighstone Down</a>, up another big climb over the top and a fast descent into <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.658596,-1.406969&spn=0.003816,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Strawberry Lane car park</a>. I think there may have been another checkpoint somewhere on that leg, but I can't really remember. Still, this was the only way to go, so marker or not, we all took this route and even in the worst conditions this section was always quite quick as the water just rolled down the sides of the down into the valley. Across the road then onto the climb up Limerstone down over the loose stones, rocks and chalk to another marker, quick punch of the card and then another descent, scaring lots of sheep, to the top of <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.651848,-1.354355&spn=0.003816,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Shorwell Shute</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fv5Xni3gD2-EldJw4RygX4B0pdJ58-JQPm1OPYfYHRj4PLZsU_N0dGKoVW-8uLqRfEagRCa5PCtOvPR5MViOOzhMkUQre1jMEYb83_jvRqpW6kPDIePg5hlWTk_6S6uIYP7sDJLQpb0f/s1600/31947_395908733860_579578860_4301779_8142305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fv5Xni3gD2-EldJw4RygX4B0pdJ58-JQPm1OPYfYHRj4PLZsU_N0dGKoVW-8uLqRfEagRCa5PCtOvPR5MViOOzhMkUQre1jMEYb83_jvRqpW6kPDIePg5hlWTk_6S6uIYP7sDJLQpb0f/s320/31947_395908733860_579578860_4301779_8142305_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Views of the Island, top of Brighstone Down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was at this point (after three hills and a few smaller lumps) that things would get very difficult, the mud from now on takes on a different consistency: sticky, smelly and gritty. I can't really say where today's Hills Killer goes from here because I've not ridden it for a while, mainly because of clashes with Cyclo-Cross events on the mainland, but I'm pretty sure one of two ways is still used to get to the top of Chillerton Down where I think another marker is normally placed. The first choice was to go straight across the road at the top of Shorwell Shute, up the trail and past <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.652345,-1.348003&spn=0.003816,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Lorden Copse</a>. This was and still is nasty in winter; fast in dry or frozen conditions but muddy, wet and slow in rainy, mild weather, often requiring dismounting and running for most but the fittest. The point at which this trail meets with the byway going to Chillerton mast is the same point at which you can reach from choice two at the top of Shorwell. Longer but a lot quicker, it was easier to drop down the shute to the left going in a Carisbrooke direction and take a right turn up the byway, still on tarmac (although rough) and to the same point that the Lorden Copse trails ends up. Masses of time and effort can be saved here.<br />
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Following the descent to the Chillerton road after peaking <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.644351,-1.320591&spn=0.003817,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Chillerton Down</a>, it was then a case of a large section of road to get to Chale Green. There is an option to cut cross country but it was avoided at all costs, again, winter trails made this almost impassable without walking through thick mud, and at this point a heavy mud laden Mountain Bike. So, we all headed for <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.616421,-1.315581&spn=0.003819,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Chale Green</a>. The next checkpoint was <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.606781,-1.30033&spn=0.00191,0.005493&t=h&z=18" target="_blank">Hoys Monument</a> and this threw up several route options and was possibly the most argued section of the Seven Hills.<br />
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It was possible to go pretty much straight up, through <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.607584,-1.306815&spn=0.00382,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Gotten Farm</a>, following the steep bridleway to Hoy but again, this was just too heavy going, requiring running and walking. It was shorter though so many took this option. Myself and a few others would take the risk of heading out on a longer route on the road towards Godshill then doing a right turn to the Hermitage and a road climb almost to the top. The legal use of the bridleway meant doing a field section, which is never very nice, but once through the field it was up the gully and to the top where Hoy's Monument stands. A longer route, but I still maintain, quicker, easier, much less muddy and psychologically sound.<br />
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From the monument it is a flat trail (still muddy) across the ridge to the kick up to the Pepper Pot on St Catherine's Down. Fortunately, cresting the Pepper Pot was never required, but possibly the worse part of the entire route - in my opinion - was the flat, ankle deep muddy trail leading to <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.595402,-1.291291&spn=0.003821,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Crocker Lane</a>. Massive puddles, sticky mud and grass banked sides that looked rideable but often weren't. This hell-hole always required dismounting, running and tripping over in deep puddles and grassy tufts, cyclo-cross style for nearly a kilometre, at a point where tiredness was starting to creep in. After this though was a tarmac descent and then some more tarmac respite down King Gates Lane, Kemming Road and onto Ventnor Road to decide how best to get up onto Ventnor Down for the next marker.<br />
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Again, there are a few options and most included steep, unrideable muddy trails. A lot of us chose again to go slightly out of the way and take <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.593713,-1.246637&spn=0.003821,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Weeks Lane</a> off the Whitwell Road through Weeks Farm, past the Yappy dog that would always chase you into a cow holding pen, often full of cows, and after a fight through the Bovine masses it was then possible to traverse the field across a not so steep bridleway (but still not always rideable) to the next marker atop Ventnor. From here it was down past <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.604371,-1.239202&spn=0.00382,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Ventnor Golf Course</a>, down the fast decent, left turn, bit more trail and out onto the road at Upper Ventnor - the start of the hardest part of the whole ride, and ironically, this was all on road climbing <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.5988,-1.213689&spn=0.00382,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">Down Lane</a>, possibly the hardest and steepest climb on the Island, to the very top of Ventnor Down.<br />
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Once at the top, after too long hearing your heart beating in your ears and black spots clouding your eyes, it's as good as downhill all the way to the finish, but once across the ridge, the descent gets progressively trickier as the foot slopes are reached and the mud comes back with a vengeance. Depending on where the markers are and where the finish was, the event sometimes meant a final flurry through <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.632539,-1.199452&spn=0.003818,0.010986&t=h&z=17" target="_blank">America Wood</a>. Great singletrack, but a lot of mud, and at this stage any kind of technicality on tired arms, aching backs and dead legs proved just a little too much, and the finish could never come quick enough.<br />
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The Hills Killer isn't a race and that is highly emphasised, but it is hard not to feel a little competitive in a timed event, and back in the day there were several of us all vying to get the fastest time, if not the record time and since those early days, the event has gone through a lot of changes. Different starts, different finishes, markers in random and sometimes hidden places, different organisers but always attracting the stalwarts and the first timers. Since its inception, the 14 Hills is now proving popular amongst the endurance riders and the 3 Hills is appealing to beginners and those just wanting a quick-ish' ride. Whatever the appeal though, the event attracts, in the main, people doing it for fun and people doing it for competition, that's human nature, but makes the event quite unique against standard format MTB orienteering.<br />
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The route I have described above is by no means a comprehensive guide to the Seven Hills, but it does cover the actual seven hills used, so it will vary depending on where the organiser places the markers. I may even have a go myself this year to see how much it has changed, and maybe get some photos to re-blog, but to be honest, once I get my competition head on, I will find it difficult to ride casually, so don't hold your breath.<br />
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~ Sean W<br />
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(pics copyright Netguides/Sean Williams.)<br />
Pictures are from parts of the route but not from the event itself and not always in the right direction - unless you do the 14 hills. If you are lucky, the same conditions may be present for the 2010 festival - give or take a bit of mud and sun. I hope you don't have the conditions I describe in the blog!!)Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-38947598101568360932010-08-05T15:19:00.000+01:002010-08-05T15:19:47.878+01:00Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight<div>It's <a href="http://www.cowesweek.co.uk/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cowes</span> Week </a>on the Isle of Wight 2010 (1st - 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> August)<br />
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This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fantastic</span> event has the town alive with people wearing everything from shorts and t-shirts through ball gowns to Micheal Jackson outfits and everything in between.<br />
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During the day the sea is full of all manner of boats, racing, carrying people and even selling burgers.<br />
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This year is the debut for high octane racing from the <a href="http://www.extreme40.org/default.asp">Extreme 40 catamarans</a>. Each afternoon through Cowes week this high octane racing series is taking place just meters from the shore, off Egypt Point. Check out this exciting video from Tuesday where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Groupama</span> is left with no steerage (or Crew who jump ship) after a collision and heads straight for the sea wall.<br />
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Find out more about the racing and the social events around it at the <a href="http://www.extremesailingseries.com/">Series website</a>.<br />
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By night the town is one long party.<br />
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This year the <a href="http://www.cowesyachthaven.com/splash.aspx"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cowes</span> Yacht Haven</a> is free to enter except on Friday (fireworks night). There is a large stage with live performances from 4pm every day, a very large beer tent along with a selection of retail tents and a wide choice of food, including <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">paella</span>, noodles, burgers, waffles, pancakes, cakes etc.<br />
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On the Parade is the '<a href="http://www.sailforgoldbar.co.uk/">Sail for Gold</a>' bar and stage and a variety of retail outlets and food stalls.<br />
Try a bit of <a href="http://uk.lizearle.com/">Liz Earle</a> (Island based cosmetics company) pampering and check out the '<a href="http://www.myspace.com/lonesomevalleyboys">Lonesome Valley Boys</a>' playing from 7pm on Thursday - Excellent band - I'll be there!<br />
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Friday is Firework Night, and one long party - have fun.<br />
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For more information and full details of whats on see <a href="http://www.cowesweek.co.uk/">http://www.cowesweek.co.uk/</a><br />
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</div>Dawns Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01509146167472512619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-24014269212045492372010-08-03T10:03:00.000+01:002010-08-03T10:03:03.090+01:00Britain by Bike - The Isle of Wight, on BBC FourTonight at 20.30 on BBC4, presenter Clare Balding visits the Isle of Wight on her Dawes Super Galaxy touring bicycle and examines how the Island helped to cure Dickens's writer's block and how it dealt with Luftwaffe attacks during the Second World War.<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t9r0n">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t9r0n</a>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-24506461114931771422010-06-22T08:36:00.001+01:002010-06-22T08:37:01.339+01:00WightStay crew on the Round the Island Yacht RaceSaturday mornings are usually relaxed affairs for the WightStay team, but not this week.<br />
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The alarm went off at 04.30 and by 5am we were on our way to Cowes Yacht Haven to compete in the world-famous Round the Island Yacht Race organised by the Island Sailing Club.<br />
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As we went along the sea front we saw the first of the 1754 yachts already starting with the huge J Class Velsheda an amazing site with her large spinnaker as she sped away to the west.<br />
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We were one of the last classes to start at a fairly relaxed 06.40. With the favourable North-East breeze we soon had the spinnaker up and were on our way to the first turning point, the famous Needles rocks at the western end of the Isle of Wight.<br />
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On the run down the Western Solent we passed another of our WightStay team, filming the event:<br />
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We rounded the Needles at 08.00 and dropped into the wind shadow of the huge cliffs. You could see the gusts of wind as they made little groups of yachts heel and rush forward, only to stop again as the gust disappeared. Eventually we got clear of the cliffs and headed across Compton Bay past Atherfield Ledge to our next turning point of St Catherine's Point at the south end of the island, which we reached at 10.00.<br />
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From St Catherine's Point we were heading into the wind and we had to tack across Sandown Bay to the next turning point at Bembridge Ledge Buoy, which we reached at 12.25. Then it was inshore against the tide past Bembridge Harbour, Seaview (taking care to go round the exclusion zone marking the remains of the old pier) then past the notorious Ryde Sands which were being well-guarded by the Ryde Inshore Lifeboat.<br />
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Starboard tack from Ryde to the finish, going into Osborne Bay to get out of the adverse tide. Then trying to identify the finishing line hidden by a mass of yachts. We had to go through the South line which we crossed at 14.38. Eight hours and eighteen minutes for the 60 mile course.<br />
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Then into the marina for a cold beer and to see the results – we were 150th out of 820 finishers in the ISC Rated classes. In the top 20% - very satisfactory, but we know we could have done some things better – could we have won our group? We were 6th out of 44, only 10 minutes behind the group winner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zVpDUP-0gz94fPlpWZXvb_YYcYAu55BlxeYKI8oRT5kVJ98E6NLw2CNOC3l1jrBIoZkPA68gBrtbCMTrbMUuEd608IvCtABfvhUJPDVMrDXRZ6pYjZIDWZfws33qV4np7bDv4XBb1Oo/s1600/finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zVpDUP-0gz94fPlpWZXvb_YYcYAu55BlxeYKI8oRT5kVJ98E6NLw2CNOC3l1jrBIoZkPA68gBrtbCMTrbMUuEd608IvCtABfvhUJPDVMrDXRZ6pYjZIDWZfws33qV4np7bDv4XBb1Oo/s320/finish.jpg" /></a></div>As we relaxed at home admiring the superb sunset and reflecting on the events of the day we thought how great it must feel to win this famous race. Maybe next year?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXcesjMAvvkuqOkIZ4Ez8y0U8v-1KznQMdI4Xf5YLq66SroVclXJ8gxJpDGaIrwUcE85Jw7sugWMtSQODIAsz3K3jlIInoBWuqBabx9K2qG1yt_FCoLQ7yArakbuo28rzUNsWhVfFBp8/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXcesjMAvvkuqOkIZ4Ez8y0U8v-1KznQMdI4Xf5YLq66SroVclXJ8gxJpDGaIrwUcE85Jw7sugWMtSQODIAsz3K3jlIInoBWuqBabx9K2qG1yt_FCoLQ7yArakbuo28rzUNsWhVfFBp8/s320/sunset.jpg" /></a></div>WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-18916266021351301782010-06-15T17:30:00.000+01:002010-06-15T17:30:51.685+01:00Flying Pink at the Isle of Wight FestivalIt was one of our intrepid festival-goers who shot this amazing footage of Pink in action during the Isle of Wight Festival:<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkLOunVkoq4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkLOunVkoq4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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That's some amazing aerobatics. Can anyone top it for great festival footage?WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-46738375386908759932010-05-20T10:30:00.000+01:002010-05-20T10:30:11.771+01:00Summer Madness 2010 29th August - a mini-festival! This will be the second year this event has been held at <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/carisbrooke-castle/">Carisbrooke Castle</a>. Last year it was headlined by - guess who - yes, Madness. This year the Modfather comes to the Isle of Wight to headline the event. The line up for this mini-festival includes:<br />
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<a href="http://www.paulweller.com/">Paul Weller</a><br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/thebrandnewheavies">Brand New Heavies</a><br />
<a href="http://www.imeldamay.com/">Imelda May</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thebees.info/">The Bees</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thetwistedwheel.co.uk/">Twisted Wheel</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thechords.co.uk/">The Chords</a><br />
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and today <a href="http://www.thecoral.co.uk/">The Coral</a> have been confirmed.<br />
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At £40 for this one day mini-festival it looks to be excellent value and a great family day out.<br />
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Tickets are available at See Tickets now. <a href="http://www.seetickets.com/see_multi/super_pgroup.asp?code=471096&filler1=see&filler2=multisee">Click here to buy.</a><br />
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We'll see you there!WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-21794854527240616612010-05-14T16:08:00.000+01:002010-05-14T16:08:13.327+01:00We're suckers for a sunset!Took a walk along Cowes seafront last night. This takes you past <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt_Point">Egypt Point</a>, which is a waypoint for sailors and also an excellent vantage point for the <a href="http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/">Round the Island Race</a>, which takes place on June 19th this year.<br />
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We used the last of the light to capture a couple of photos from Egypt Point. Hope you enjoy them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfN0i019pwsC4SQLceGtsx4pytjj8AK3GF1KGZbtcYoTfyeOq2tLB_l_9R9JihlWbjGgxRwH-zO_pJemtB1x4P748UHZtME0JcoUJCuR-QhSXNX5lQadFJrceQk9RHrQ82h4Ui7zWcLk/s1600/IMG_1752L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfN0i019pwsC4SQLceGtsx4pytjj8AK3GF1KGZbtcYoTfyeOq2tLB_l_9R9JihlWbjGgxRwH-zO_pJemtB1x4P748UHZtME0JcoUJCuR-QhSXNX5lQadFJrceQk9RHrQ82h4Ui7zWcLk/s320/IMG_1752L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYFgRF-m5tlCx7AIr8H0ENeYFDyPVg_AL-_sMAD_eAebofMpXjH9mDetRVEMCc5b64XExGsSB1v4JxF2fU0_1JxGJwCMZI6VRHUTaiyw_SV-ZzLsnwhhUbiHAClzMTvIV26-KQ_RjeaM/s1600/IMG_1764L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYFgRF-m5tlCx7AIr8H0ENeYFDyPVg_AL-_sMAD_eAebofMpXjH9mDetRVEMCc5b64XExGsSB1v4JxF2fU0_1JxGJwCMZI6VRHUTaiyw_SV-ZzLsnwhhUbiHAClzMTvIV26-KQ_RjeaM/s320/IMG_1764L.jpg" /></a></div>WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-83660234821141843352010-05-07T17:13:00.001+01:002010-05-10T11:06:55.973+01:00A walk on Yarmouth's wild sideLovely weather means more walks on the Isle of Wight.<br />
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We went out for a walk in <a href="http://www.wightnaturefund.org.uk/p_Mill_Copse.ikml">Wight Nature Fund's Mill Copse</a>, just outside of Yarmouth. Here's the location, which isn't available on Streetview as it's nowhere near a street!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&q=yarmouth+wight&fb=1&gl=uk&ei=LzPkS86fOY36Ob3mwJkN&ved=0CBUQpQY&hl=en&view=map&geocode=FWqwBQMdniHp_w&split=0&sll=50.688227,-1.481819&sspn=0.039225,0.045994&hq=&hnear=Yarmouth,+Isle+of+Wight,+United+Kingdom&t=h&ll=50.698945,-1.49457&spn=0.004757,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&q=yarmouth+wight&fb=1&gl=uk&ei=LzPkS86fOY36Ob3mwJkN&ved=0CBUQpQY&hl=en&view=map&geocode=FWqwBQMdniHp_w&split=0&sll=50.688227,-1.481819&sspn=0.039225,0.045994&hq=&hnear=Yarmouth,+Isle+of+Wight,+United+Kingdom&t=h&ll=50.698945,-1.49457&spn=0.004757,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=A&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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This mixed, ancient woodland is just outside of the harbour town, off the fantastic cycle-track that runs between Yarmouth and Freshwater.<br />
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The bluebells in the copse were almost at an end, but they were still providing a good carpet in some areas, off the lovely airy rides.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3wMpkIrG3izLTI_4CVnCP2nxzBggZeQVBUCB0Z_VfSzFxE-vsDBsSGMdf9AIAy7uH0TZTy28NtMxSH9zmwHcHrTIor_ZUx3wty9YKnuygCrTWZgCuiULweB1xx-v-OYFXfyYMHyY_q0/s1600/IMG_1631L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3wMpkIrG3izLTI_4CVnCP2nxzBggZeQVBUCB0Z_VfSzFxE-vsDBsSGMdf9AIAy7uH0TZTy28NtMxSH9zmwHcHrTIor_ZUx3wty9YKnuygCrTWZgCuiULweB1xx-v-OYFXfyYMHyY_q0/s320/IMG_1631L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILDhMNb5P9mzC0bhMuAcaueTUhl15D4vAgr9lWFHYrHCOxXWWYgpVpH1mp9kvdwHf4iMrrW2AHgTnvXp82LyH-zwpaK-VixDx27nv7QYSM6nielaub1_OufbXxQNayg3w-nCJKzQUaS0/s1600/IMG_1635L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILDhMNb5P9mzC0bhMuAcaueTUhl15D4vAgr9lWFHYrHCOxXWWYgpVpH1mp9kvdwHf4iMrrW2AHgTnvXp82LyH-zwpaK-VixDx27nv7QYSM6nielaub1_OufbXxQNayg3w-nCJKzQUaS0/s320/IMG_1635L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We walked up from the main entrance, to the top of the copse and then round to the right.<br />
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The main ride into the forest has a superb lining of mature conifers to the right of it. If my sources are right, this is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia">Coast Redwood</a>, which has a lot more growing to do yet!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnCoHue1M5myFszDBbWfTaiw8z4snbj5O-HGtSwtHI8PqUIxLGjkF-IipzS9ZceBtYxL3lOh7-b5s-rjyq9bcEU5PDi06ZolV2YP0l7ANaMFH_Ode_RyzcR1VuKfj8LDwviauZlLpxTc/s1600/IMG_1637L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnCoHue1M5myFszDBbWfTaiw8z4snbj5O-HGtSwtHI8PqUIxLGjkF-IipzS9ZceBtYxL3lOh7-b5s-rjyq9bcEU5PDi06ZolV2YP0l7ANaMFH_Ode_RyzcR1VuKfj8LDwviauZlLpxTc/s320/IMG_1637L.jpg" /></a></div>This is as well as the more common oaks and coppiced beach elsewhere in the wood.<br />
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On the way back around the perimeter of the copse we also spotted a public hide, which looks out over the marshland, where we could see Canada Geese, Curlews, Moorhens, Coots and Egrets. If you fancy a bit of birding this is a lovely spot to sit quietly and observe the birds attracted to the brackish marshes:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiZYEUSsTkazHId4_EAaud6Dugfs80W-RCFKLwsF26nAgd-guC4zbj1R2K_NcLe-vRGb2tGA0_Xh0poV-SrVfJI-ua6zmAHUa_XJRMsHJsAE6CgbMucDfC1UB4UoMLXlJsA2sZSfEP_I/s1600/IMG_1653L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiZYEUSsTkazHId4_EAaud6Dugfs80W-RCFKLwsF26nAgd-guC4zbj1R2K_NcLe-vRGb2tGA0_Xh0poV-SrVfJI-ua6zmAHUa_XJRMsHJsAE6CgbMucDfC1UB4UoMLXlJsA2sZSfEP_I/s320/IMG_1653L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After some time spent quietly we walked back into town and enjoyed a <a href="http://www.minghella.co.uk/icecream/news/news.jsp">Minghella ice cream</a> from <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g503893-d1153275-Reviews-The_Gossips_Cafe-Yarmouth_Isle_of_Wight_England.html">Gossips Cafe</a> at the pierhead. A cracking way to spend an afternoon around Yarmouth.<br />
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Now we've got a tip off about another hide in Alvestone, where there are supposed to be a lot of Red Squirrels, so that's lined up Sunday afternoon's entertainment!WightStay Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07619289413347559177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-76595093409642732932010-04-30T13:02:00.000+01:002010-05-07T16:21:48.249+01:00Isle of Wight on Google Street ViewLast summer the Google Street View car prowled Island Roads, spotted by keen eyed individuals speculation arose as to how long it'd be before we could see the Island in its full glory on the web. Well, its finally here. Below are a few locations we have found for your enjoyment.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.blackgangchine.com/" target="_blank">Blackgang Chine</a></b><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=blackgang+chine&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.731416,43.022461&ie=UTF8&hq=blackgang+chine&hnear=&ll=50.589505,-1.313637&spn=0.071946,0.071946&layer=c&cbll=50.588751,-1.31241&panoid=1tZvjlOFhLhL5GyTmBGj6A&cbp=12,182.39,,0,5&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=blackgang+chine&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.731416,43.022461&ie=UTF8&hq=blackgang+chine&hnear=&ll=50.589505,-1.313637&spn=0.071946,0.071946&layer=c&cbll=50.588751,-1.31241&panoid=1tZvjlOFhLhL5GyTmBGj6A&cbp=12,182.39,,0,5" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.fortvictoria.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fort Victoria</a></b><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=blackgang+chine&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.731416,43.022461&ie=UTF8&hq=blackgang+chine&hnear=&ll=50.589505,-1.313637&spn=0.071946,0.071946&t=h&layer=c&cbll=50.706561,-1.520764&panoid=VbVmUiydVpXBm-mexw9HgA&cbp=12,348.4,,0,7.51&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=blackgang+chine&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.731416,43.022461&ie=UTF8&hq=blackgang+chine&hnear=&ll=50.589505,-1.313637&spn=0.071946,0.071946&t=h&layer=c&cbll=50.706561,-1.520764&panoid=VbVmUiydVpXBm-mexw9HgA&cbp=12,348.4,,0,7.51" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.theneedles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Needles Park</a></b><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=needles+battery&sll=50.706977,-1.529374&sspn=0.007175,0.029182&g=fort+victoria,+yarmouth&ie=UTF8&hq=needles+battery&hnear=Fort+Victoria,+Westhill+Ln,+Norton,+Yarmouth,+PO41+0RR,+UK&ll=50.684616,-1.552882&spn=0.053665,0.056418&t=h&layer=c&cbll=50.667907,-1.565741&panoid=cZ1c_UJlFdHyfpsdE_2OyA&cbp=12,279.6,,0,5&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=needles+battery&sll=50.706977,-1.529374&sspn=0.007175,0.029182&g=fort+victoria,+yarmouth&ie=UTF8&hq=needles+battery&hnear=Fort+Victoria,+Westhill+Ln,+Norton,+Yarmouth,+PO41+0RR,+UK&ll=50.684616,-1.552882&spn=0.053665,0.056418&t=h&layer=c&cbll=50.667907,-1.565741&panoid=cZ1c_UJlFdHyfpsdE_2OyA&cbp=12,279.6,,0,5" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bembridge Harbour</a></b><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=godshill&sll=50.667907,-1.565741&sspn=0.013791,0.058365&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Godshill,+Ventnor,+Isle+Of+Wight,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.633274,-1.254662&spn=0.028927,0.11673&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.691975,-1.101986&panoid=0RQysFL0ZwQwy093Kq-rIA&cbp=12,66.25,,0,4.4&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=godshill&sll=50.667907,-1.565741&sspn=0.013791,0.058365&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Godshill,+Ventnor,+Isle+Of+Wight,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.633274,-1.254662&spn=0.028927,0.11673&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.691975,-1.101986&panoid=0RQysFL0ZwQwy093Kq-rIA&cbp=12,66.25,,0,4.4" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-23551212169434285812010-04-30T12:30:00.000+01:002010-05-07T16:21:48.269+01:00Military ErosionThis week has seen glorious weather on the Island, perfect for sitting on the beach, for walking and for cycling. Deciding on the latter, and being the WightStay expert on all things cycling on the Isle of Wight, it was time to break away from the lunchtime routine of a 20mile training session and take a more leisurely ride of around 40 or so miles and check out the damage done to the Military Road at Compton after a collapse of the cliff in recent weeks.<br /><br /><br />There is talk that the Military Road, running along the south-western edge of the Island, may soon become two giant cul-de-sacs after a massive piece of the coastline fell into the sea, leaving the road dangerously close to the edge of the cliff between Compton and Brook. There is a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=153058428835&ref=ts">campaign to 'save the Military Road' on facebook</a> for anyone interested. Cliff and coastline erosion isn't unusual on the 'Milly' and the cliff at Freshwater has already had extensive support work done to keep the road open in recent years. For now, the road - after this latest collapse - has been restricted to one lane, but another fall will surely see the road go completely.<br /><br />This damage (coupled with bad pothole damage after the freeze and snow of January) has already caused the cancellation of the Vectis Cycling Clubs three day Time Trialling event and will surely mean September's Triathlon will have to be re-routed. All three stages of the Vectis event use the Military road, and a single lane, no matter how short, would cause havoc. Shame really, because the 3-day really is a classic event that has been running for many years.<br /><br />Before checking out the damage though, a quick chill-out on Compton beach was in order. After all, it was beach weather.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1576L-788008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1576L-788005.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1595-737505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1595-737501.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-6332921295612010502010-04-23T11:40:00.000+01:002010-05-07T16:21:48.287+01:00Everything's bursting into leafThis is the time of year that the Isle of Wight really wakes up and loses the last traces of winter. Trees are releasing their buds, with a riot of mottled greens breaking out across the deciduous woodland across the Isle of Wight.<br /><br />It's only a short time before the Randonee, which we're limbering up for. More details <a href="http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/">here</a>.<br /><br />This time of year is also a fantastic time to have a wander through <a href="http://www.botanic.co.uk/">Ventnor Botanic Gardens</a> to enjoy the flowers that are now starting to bloom.<br /><br />Check out our listings to find somewhere to stay when you come over to enjoy the Isle of Wight in the fine spring weather we're revelling in at the moment.<br /><br />And remember <a href="http://www.wightlink.co.uk/">Wightlink</a>, <a href="http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/">Red Funnel</a> and <a href="http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/">Hovertravel </a>are completely unaffected by volcanic ash so there's no question of a volcano disrupting your holiday to the Isle of Wight!Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3121445247504540006.post-6082973861736688222010-03-17T08:57:00.000+00:002010-05-07T16:21:48.321+01:00Early morning on the River MedinaIt was a beautiful early morning, so we had a walk out with the camera. Down to the River Medina, just before <a href="http://www.thefollyinn.com/">The Folly Inn</a>, but on the west bank of the Medina.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1117LR-721125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.wightstay.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1117LR-721106.jpg" /></a></div>A beautiful spring morning on the Isle of Wight.Netguideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04679584296541249455noreply@blogger.com1