Today we had booked for a ride on the IOW Steam Train. As a special treat I had booked for 1st Class which proved to be brilliant as we got to ourselves.
Arrived nicely in time for our 11.40 triip from Havenstreet and the train went to Smallbrook, back again through Havenstreet then on to Wootton and back. This involves the engine moving from back to front at each end as the train is a pull me only.
Spent my journey with my head and camera out of the window as I always do on train trips just pulling my head in every now and then when we went under bridges as didnt want to watch it rolling down the track behind the train.
A very pleasant trip and back in time first of all to visit the impressive Railway museum with some beautiful examples of Victorian and Edwardian carriages and also a tram which used to run on the Ryde Pier. Then to the station cafe for lunch.
behind the station so we went along to see that and it was lovely. I managed photos of the gorgeous Eurasian Eagle Owl and the falcon. Also took some super shots of the 4 black kites which swooped round overhead for ages but thats when things went wrong.. or they did later... I accidentally cleared my camera card as i was copying the photos into my laptop and before it had finished copying. Slapped wrists for myself as I know there is no recycle bin option on an SD card so sorry, and I really am, but photos for today finish with the falcon (and Ive just discovered one photo of a black kite).
We went next to West Cowes. Had to drive round the river estuary as the ferry (known as the Floating Bridge) which normally takes vehicles across the river from East to West Cowes is currently broken. Must be dreadfully inconvenient for the locals. A quick visit along the main street from the esplanade, some photos (now deleted), an icecream and back to Smart Arse.
Only one main town on the island we hadnt yet visited, Ventnor, so headed due south to there. This has
to be one of the hilliest seaside towns weve ever seen. I would show you photos if i hadnt deleted those too. Parked in what we thought was the main town to find we were several levels up from the sea so drove down a few steep corkscrew bends until we found the sea and the esplanade at the bottom. Drinks in a bar enjoying the last of our IOW adventure before heading back to the motorhome.
Bob now planning our route for tomorrow as we take the ferry back to the mainland and head to Dorset. We are due some rain overnight and I can hear that it has just started but should clear up again by lunchtine and we are expecting the rather good weather weve had so far to last us the rest of our holiday.
Departure from the IOW is timely as the IOW Festival starts on Thursday and we really do not want to get involved with that. Weve spent the last 18 months avoiding Covid risky crowds and we will continue to keep ourselves safe. Dont think the festival is very well received by the older population of the island either from comments
