Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Snaps From The Isle Of Wight

We spent last week on holiday in the Isle Of Wight, a place we'd never visited before, but choose for the range of things to do and the excitement for Elis of taking the car on a boat. We stayed down on the south eastern side of the island in a holiday home in the town of Shanklin.

Well, we caught the weather lovely, it was sunny pretty much most of the time, although a couple of days were hampered by a cold wind. I had a thoroughly wonderful time and really enjoyed the location. There were some lovely sea side locations with interesting cliffs and views, and the odd touch of the run down sea side town that I love so much. Anyway, rather than bore you with words about it, I thought I'd share some snaps (as per usual).

First up, we visited Shanklin Chine, a lovely little valley all fenced in that you have to pay to enter. We had a nice walk down the picturesque gorge and enjoy a nice home-made soup at the heritage centre at the end of it. Going from the top entrance, you make your way down to the seafront at Shanklin, with its lovely views of the stratified cliffs and the English Channel. Down the Esplanade is the adventure golf and arcades. I managed to get a hole in one on the last hole and set off the alarm, winning a free round which was a big buzz, Elis enjoyed himself in the arcade.

The waterfall at Shanklin Chine

Elsi enjoys the view at Shanklin Chine

Elderly couple rest whilst big ships go...

Beach huts and sea at Shanklin

Light and clouds on sea side buildings

Beach huts on Shanklin sea front

We spent one enjoyable day at Blackgang Chine, an adventure park about 10 miles down the coast from Shanklin. Elis loved it, and I had a lot of fun as well. The place was a strange mix of mechanical displays, cowboys, pixies, dinosaurs and pirates. We didn't quite get time to do the whole park, but if you're in that neck of the woods, I'd recommend it.

Family portrait in the hall of mirrors at Blackgang Chine

Dinosaur attacks Elis at Blackgang Chine

Elis faces a monster in Rumpus Mansion at Blackgang Chine

The Mouth Of Hell at Blackgang Chine

Elis inside the Mouth Of Hell at Blackgang Chine

We did a lot of trips to attractions whilst on holiday, rather than go and sit on the beach, which we can do here at any time. Other highlights included Dinosaur Isle at Sandown. The shot from inside the museum features the display which had a nice Victorian print of dinosaurs. I used to love those old prints and sea faring maps with strange beasties (here be monsters) as a child and this reminded me of them. The photo is to remind me to search out more of those old etchings. Lastly we visited the model village at Godshill. The last shot is a strange little model boot that you can sit your children on to take photos at the model village. It's supposed to be Mother Hubbard's shoe, but look closely through the window, and for some reason you can see a skeleton.

Display at the Dinosaur Isle at Sandown

Elis, my camera and a skeleton inside old mother Hubbard's show at Godshill Model Village

Posted by Dio Bach at 19:06

1 Comments:

Holly said...: Oh my. Look at the size of Elis!!!; 1:39 AM