Isle of Wight 2016 Pictures Day 1

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It was my birthday on the 14th and earlier in the year Renée had been looking to treat me to a few days away somewhere nice. After the Cotswolds and a few other ideas were considered a really good winter deal for a Spa Hotel on the Isle of Wight came up. This was a great idea and was duly snapped up. It included breakfast, one evening meal and a return ferry ticket. So on 21st December we were on our way. We got to the terminal early and got on an earlier ferry, which gave us time to explore Osborne House before a late lunch in Ryde and then an afternoon checkin to the hotel and enjoyment of the facilities. The 22nd was a gloriously sunny day and we took the opportunity to drive along the South Coast, passing Ventnor and St. Catherine's Point on our way to the Needles. The Needles in the sunshine was spectacular and well worth a nice lunchtime walk. After a late lunch in Newport we then drove back via the pictoresque Godshill village and explored Culver Down. Then after a sunset explore of the hotel grounds and Luccombe Beach we had a nice Fish n Chips at the Steamer Inn on Shanklin Esplanade. A gentler day on the 23rd started with a glorious sunrise before bad weather started to head our way. We visited East Cowes first before going across on the Chain Ferry to Cowes and looked around. Then a pleasant drive Westwards to Yarmouth found us a nice Café to have some snacks in. We then went on a nice scenic drive of the narrow back roads back to the hotel as the weather closed in. The evening was spent at the Dragon Pearl Chinese Restaurant and in the pool and hot tub at the hotel. On the last day, after checking out, we explored Yaverland Beach enjoying the fresh air and the idea that there might be fossils around. Then we explored Amazon World zoo before stopping at The Garlic Farm for lunch. Then after an early afternoon ferry crossing to Portsmouth the Spinnaker Tower completed a lovely trip.

Thanks Renée for a brilliant birthday present! I love you loads!

Most pictures were taken on my Panasonic Lumix FZ200 camera where the long 600mm zoom came in very useful at times. The iPhone 6S Plus camera performed well also, while Renée took some nice pics using her Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini.

Please see below for an index to this trip.

Day 1
 Wed 21/12/2016
Portsmouth to Fishbourne, Osborne House and Grounds, Ryde and Luccombe Hall Hotel arrival. (134)
Day 2
 Thu 22/12/2016
Morning Room View, Ventnor, Needles, Newport, Godshill, Culver Down, Shanklin and Hotel Grounds and Steamer Inn. (134)
Day 3
 Fri 23/12/2016
Luccombe Sunrise, East Cowes, Chain Ferry, Cowes, Yarmouth, Scenic Drive Back, Dragon Pearl and Luccombe Hall Hotel Spa. (49)
Day 4
 Sat 24/12/2016
Yaverland Beach, Amazon World, Garlic Farm, Fishbourne to Portsmouth and Spinnaker Tower. (123)
Portsmouth to Fishbourne (11)
Osborne House (58)
Osborne House Grounds (54)
Ryde (4)
Luccombe Hall Hotel (7) 		Morning Room View (6)
Ventnor (7)
Drive to Needles (12)
Needles (42)
Newport (6)
Godshill (12)
Culver Down (20)
Shanklin and Hotel Grounds (16)
Steamer Inn (13) 		Luccombe Sunrise (5)
East Cowes and Chain Ferry (11)
Cowes (7)
Yarmouth (13)
Scenic Drive Back (8)
Dragon Pearl Chinese Restaurant (1)
Luccombe Hall Hotel Spa (4) 		Yaverland Beach (20)
Amazon World (61)
Garlic Farm (5)
Fishbourne to Portsmouth (12)
Spinnaker Tower (25)

Total Photos: 440

Photos Wednesday 21st December 2016 - Day 1

Portsmouth to Fishbourne

We were up quickly at 6AM and eager and excited to go. We left Northwest London at 6:40AM. Traffic was reasonably light for time of day thanks to it being so close to Christmas. The weather was very wet South of London but after an event free drive we arrived nice and early at 8:30AM at the ferry terminal in Portsmouth.

We were due on the 10AM ferry but there was room on the 9AM ferry which gave us an extra hour to play with on the Isle of Wight. There was a nice Costa on board which we used to have tea / coffee and breakfast. It took until 10AM to get off as another ferry was taking its time to depart but we were enjoying ourselves and in no rush.

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Boarding the ferry. Passing the Spinnaker Tower on the way out of Portsmouth. Breakfast time on the ferry. Looking back as we leave Portsmouth behind.

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Waiting for another ferry to depart Fishbourne. Looking East to Ryde and Ryde Pier. Renée and I on the outside deck with Fishbourne in the background. Renée inside near the Costa counter. Back to the car as we come into Fishbourne and prepare to disembark.

Osborne House

The weather was damp and unpleasant but forecast to improve for the middle of the day with a dry spell so we decided to hedge our bets and go straight to Osborne House. It was indeed still raining when we got there at 10:20AM. So it was good that we got onto the 10:45AM tour inside in the dry. The inside was pretty spectacular and all too quickly an hour had passed and the tour had finished.

TODO: Captions coming soon.


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The Petty Officer's Quarters near the car park is now the admissions building and gift shop. It had a decorated Christmas tree outside. Walking towards the main house. Osborne House appearing through the trees. Renée enjoying the start of the tour.

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Osbourne House from the West.

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Osborne House Grounds

The gamble paid off as when we emerged the rain had indeed stopped affording a more pleasant exploration of the grounds. After exploring the immediate area outside Osborne House we walked to the Swiss Cottage. It was a very pretty area and was where we found a really tame robin. Then we walked down through a Rhododendron wood to emerge at the Beach Landing where Queen Victoria would have come ashore, before returning to the car via the walled garden.

TODO: Captions coming soon.


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Looking South around the terraced garden from the Northern corner. Looking Northeastwards out across the grounds towards the Solent, with Portsmouth visible through the haze in the background. Below the terrace on the Northeastern side was a staircase with large lion statues. The main path Northeastwards towards the Solent where Queen Victoria's beach landing is.

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Ryde

We departed Osborne House at 1:05PM and went to Ryde. Here we stopped at French Frank's for a late panini lunch which was delicious, and like a posh subway.


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Union Street in Ryde from the top. Enjoying a nice Panini stop in French Franks. Looking around from a car park as we head East from Ryde. A closer look at the end of Ryde Pier.

Luccombe Hall Hotel

After finishing up at Ryde we followed the road around the coast to Bembridge before carrying on down Sandown Bay to Shanklin and Luccombe Hall Hotel as the weather deteriorated. We checked in by 3PM, and happy to be inside now as the weather was once again rather wet. After settling into a rather nice room with a lovely sea view, we headed to the pool and hot tub for 45 minutes before returning to the room to shower and rest.


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The front of Luccombe Hall Hotel as we unpack the car. Nice bedroom with a great view! Renée arriving at the room. The bathroom.

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Looking out of the bedroom window. The view of the sea isn't so good in this weather but it's still a lovely view. Of course too cold to use the outside pool at this time of year.

At 6:40PM we went to eat. This evening was full board as part of the package so we were eating in the hotel. The food was ok but a bit nouveau cuisine for me. The dessert was delicious though, a chocolate brownie. An hour later we returned to the room and ummed and arred about possibly going somewhere. I was knackered though after the early start and a long day's driving and it was pouring down, so we decided to rest in the room and retired by 9PM.

Click here to go forward to Isle of Wight 2016 2016 Day 2.