A Day on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight - a bit of a mystery. Had heard that family lived there. Had heard of Aunty Ann. Knew nothing else.

The Isle was a such a change from London. We had picked up the hire car and travelled across by ferry to reach an island that enchanted us.
Shanklin sounds like an unlovely place for our B&B stay but it was anything but unlovely. The Belmont was warm and welcoming, a much needed haven after the Youth Hostel and the busy-ness of London. There was a cuppa and biscuits for afternoon tea. There was a lovely church opposite, there were echoes of former glory bouncing off the walls and whispering faintly in our ears. My mother and father would love this place. I am sad they cannot live here for a while.

The beach was a short walk away, the old town a short walk in the other direction. The people were friendly and the food was magnificent.

This is a place I could stay in for a week. It is quiet, pretty and interesting. There are many areas of interest and they are all within easy driving distance, Roman ruins, white cliffs, old villages, ports. We were happy to visit the little villages and leave the attractions for the other visitors.

The ferry left from a port near Ryde, near where Aunty Ann lived. We found it easily. I felt at home on the island. I can understand why this was her home.