07-Apr-2015 Isle of Wight Day 3

Another sunny day and we seem to have got into the swing of the B and B. It must be hard running it alone and working several days too. We followed our breakfast with a visit to the local library. It is very small and cold as the windows were being replaced so we didn’t see it at its best. There is a lot of village memorabilia and a documentary on local architecture that lasted a little too long for us – too much detail to take in.

There’s a great shop almost next door to the B and B that sells deli, fruit and veg. I bought some heather to take home for the garden.

 

 After visiting a cousin who lives not far from Osbourne House in Cowes we left the car and rode the bike to the chain link ferry, hoping to cross to East Cowes. Unfortunately it was undergoing renovation and there was only a little boat for pedestrians to take people across the river Medina. We were assured passage however and several cyclists had joined the queue. Stepping onto the boat carrying a tandem isn’t easy with one foot on shore and the other hovering over the water beneath, but it was service with a smile and the staff were very helpful. There was plenty of space for the bikes too.

 

It was up and out of Cowes to the cyclepath along the Medina with industry, new yachts, old boats till we reached an old bridge looking down onto reed-beds. On the shady side of the path further on there were large clumps of violets and despite the large amount of dog walkers it was a pleasant ride. It wasn’t long till we came to Newport where we found a Wetherspoon, just off a busy roundabout. Once we had diced with death crossing the road it was a good place for lunch.

 

We rode back with as little main road as possible, sometimes on the footpath which doubled as track. We passed a monkey park and then a Butterfly Park attached to a Garden Centre but we had to focus on our destination, Carisbrooke Castle which had its last entry at 5 with a 6 o’clock closing.

There weren’t any really countrified places today and houses were mainly new build with Cowes being Victorian in essence. We had considered visiting Victoria’s retreat, Osbourne House but this worked out at nearly £15 each.

We found our car and with the bike safely installed we drove the next bit being short of time.

 

We loved Carisbrooke! It was £7.50 for seniors. The museum was delightfully hands –on with a model trebuchet to catapult money at King Charles. A psaltery was there to pluck, a sword to handle, chainmail, a crossbow and many other interesting artifacts.

A real donkey was in a treadmill, lifting water from a well. They had several, housed in the castle stables, who took turns and today it was Jack. He was well treated and only demonstrated for a very short time. Everyone fussed over him!

 

We walked the ramparts with great views all around negotiating many old steps and admiring the romantic keep trailing with ivy. Higher than the trees in the grounds I was especially charmed to see a little owl asleep in the boughs of one, be-speckled and motionless.

 
 

After refreshment from the small tearoom we looked round the chapel rebuilt in the 19^th century to commemorate the anniversary of King Charles’ execution. King Charles began his time here as a guest but then later became prisoner.

If we had English Heritage properties near our home we would have joined up with them because we were so impressed with this monument.

 

Back near the B and B we ate at the 3 Bishops which is truly a gluten free pub without compromising taste. The portions were massive and the menu varied.

Our B and B host knocked on the door a bit bedraggled before we went to bed to say that he had just finished his other job and what time did we want breakfast. We weren’t sure if he wanted us to say “late” but we didn’t go with “early” to lessen the pressure. I asked for porridge instead of a cooked meal as we would be travelling most of the day.

 

Wednesday 8th April

 

I got my porridge and he had especially purchased some honey but Bob had the usual cooked.

I did feel some regret at leaving this lovely little village. The room had been damp and cold and shower too small to be welcoming but the water was hot and we felt at ease there. I did worry about the future of the B and B and its owner who so obviously couldn’t go on as he was.

 

We caught the ferry at 10, or a bit after as it was late. The boat was recently refurbished and it was much better than the journey over. It was sunny and the sea as calm as a mill pond.