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My Isle of Wight trip
Posted by : Leiba (81.178.200.86) 
Inappropriate or SPAM?
On Thursday 29/08/13 at 21:00:36
Day 1, Sunday.
Whightegi and I got the ferry from Lymington across the Solent to Yarmouth, IOW. We then drove to Wightegi's home to drop off his luggage and from there on to Sandown where I was booked into a B&B. I had to stop for petrol en route and also needed to put my phone on charge as it was running low on battery. Wightegi took me right to the front door of the B&B and we said our goodbyes and he drove off back home for his creature comforts.
As I parked up, mine host appeared to say my room was ready, which was handy, but it was a bit of a struggle up the stairs with all my luggage. (tent, inflatable mattress, sleeping bag and the two panniers.) One of his sons, (bless him, he was only small) helped me up the stairs with the combined tent/mattress,sleeping bag while I signed in.
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I'd noticed on Saturday that one of my sandals was about to part company with the sole and had temporarily taped it up. I needed a new pair ASAP and the lady of the house told me of a shoe shop in the main street that would be open even on a Sunday. She was right so in I went. The woman in there was trying to sell me flimsy female type sandals but none of them fitted my big feet. Then I spotted the mens sandals in the same style as I wear and I walked out wearing a brand new pair bought for £9.99. Result. 
Now I desperately needed to put to put some air in Rubys rear tyre so headed for the garage. Oh poops. It had one of those awkward air things that won't fit between the spokes and I couldn't find the L shaped thing that attaches to the valve (for this type of problem) that I thought I'd packed so no can do. I bought an A-Z of the IOW while I was there and then headed down to the seafront where I found a M/C bay with a bench nearby and settled down to study the map.
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Shanklin was nearby so off I went for a visit. Whilst there I noticed a pinnacle on top of a cliff, back past Sandown on the NE coast and decided to go and take a look. Culver Down. It had a WW2 battery emplacement and a fort, a cafe, (closed at that time) a pub and coast guard cottages. To the left Looking out to sea) I was looking across the Solent to the mainland and Portsmouth etc and to the right out across Sandown Bay. I had a nice Sunday roast dinner in the pub and later the chef came out to lend me his foot pump for Rubys tyre, but that was not to be. He blamed his wife for borrowing it and not putting it back.
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Back into Sandown where I sat on the seafront and fed the seagulls my leftover food from the weekends camping. Greedy little buggers. As it got dark I picked up a paper and headed back to my digs with the aim to watch a bit of TV and get the weather forecast but... I couldn't get the TV to work. No matter, I was dog tired and was asleep by 9.30pm.
Day 2, Monday.
I was woken early by some demented woman swearing on her phone as she walked up the street outside. I made myself some coffee whilst taking another look at the map to plan my route for the day. Basically I would be heading west along the coast. But first I needed to tackle Rubys rear tyre. Nobody at the guest house had a foot pump nor knew of a shop nearby where I could buy one so I asked about an Argos store that I know sells them. The nearest (maybe the only one) was in the capital of Newport but he, (mine host) didn't know exactly where it was, just not in the centre of town. Back to the seafront to study the map for shopping centres in Newport.
There was an old(er) man swimming out there and when he finished he came and sat beside me to de-sand himself. I knew he was English born and bred when he commented on the weather! We got talking and when I found out that he lived there I asked him about the Argos and told him my predicament with the footpump. "No need to go and buy one, I've got one right here. I'll just be two minutes." and he was. He lived in the posh apartments right there on the seafront. He came back with the pump and even pumped the tyre for me. me, "how much was in there?" him, "just under twenty". Geez, that was low. He put in around forty and I felt relieved that that was done and I could relax a little more on my rides. My knight in shining 'sea water'. 
I also adjusted the brakes as the front one especially needed it. I was pulling the lever in so far on those steep hills that I was stabbing the heel of my hand with my own finger nails. The oil I'd topped up earlier this morning. It had gone from max to min in the few days from London.
I'd decided to head for Freshwater Bay stopping at Shanklin and Ventnor on the way.
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And then it happened. Luckily I was parked up in Shanklin at the time. I spent nearly an hour and a half alternating between sitting inside and outside the public loo. Whatever it was soon passed (literally) and I was on my way again.
I passed Blackgang Chine and stopped often to admire the views. In the distance ahead of me I could see The Needles but I wouldn't be visiting there as it's become immensely commercialised, a money, money place with huge crowds so I'd been told.
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Freshwater bay on the other hand was just the opposite. A small bay with just two hotels, one on the seafront and one on the cliff top, a cafe and a Lifeboat shop. That was it. Not too many people there or screaming kids, just my sort of place. Canoeing, scuba diving, swimming and the obligatory being buried in the sand, yeh, loved it.
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I bought a few things in the lifeboat shop and deposited my loose change into the charity box. I asked the woman there what were the two stone stacks called that were at one end of the bay. "Are there? I don't remember." I pointed out that they must have been there for many thousands of years and she said "Maybe, I don't know." I found out later, via my map, that they're called the Miniature Needles.
It was now 4pm and low tide and time to head back via a food stop. I was going to try a different route but changed my mind and I'm glad that I did. I was now seeing scenery ahead of me that had been behind me on the way up. And it was jus
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I stopped for lunch at a place called Chale, a bungalow style hotel with a sea view. Ten minutes after I'd ordered my meal the waitress came to tell me that it takes fifteen minutes to cook the chicken right through. So, it would be ready in five minutes? no. Twenty minutes later and I was getting fed up with waiting and would have left if Hub hadn't phoned at the moment. Just as I hung up the food arrived, and it wasn't worth waiting for. I complained to the waitress about the wait and she apologised saying that they'd had a rush on. Well yes, there were few other people eating there, note, eating, they already been served when I arrived. I'd waited nearly forty minutes and was not a happy chappy. I could have cooked those three tiny bits of chicken in ten minutes. No tip there then. I was annoyed because I wanted to get to the fishing tackle shop before it closed, I wouldn't make it now.
Back to 'my' spot on Sandown seafront and I decided to set my rod up for a bit of fishing but after looking at the thickness of the lines the other fishermen were using I decided not to chance losing my tackle, (stop giggling) if by some miracle I did catch a fish. Instead I watched the antics of a bunch of idiots making a music video on the sands. I missed the shot when they all pranced forward and one of them went a**e over t*t tripping over the guitar they'd left on the ground. I waited for the tide to take it away but they spotted it just in time.
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8.30pm, time to head 'home'.
Day 3, Tuesday
I was woken this morning by a bus 'coughing' as it came up the hill. You know, that sound where halfway up it changes gear with a 'cough'. My B&B was on the main road out of town so it was quite busy first thing in the morning. But after another hearty breakfast, cereal followed by sausage, egg, bacon, mushroom, grilled tomato and hash brown, with toast and a pot of coffee, I was on my way once again. This time I went to the tackle shop and bought some heavier sea fishing line then back to the seafront to set up my rod and reel ready for when I needed it. Then my reel broke. I thought it was only minor so I wasn't too bothered and would fix it when I got back later today.
Today I was going in the other direction, NE towards Ryde. I won't be doing the full north coast as it's either industrialised towns or a non-motor vehicle nature reserves and SSI's. First stop was Bembridge where the mainland was clearly visible.
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Gawd that's a busy coast line. Huge cargo ships, cruise liners and various other types of vessels of all sizes seemingly dashing in and out of the ports over there. Then on to a place called Seaview where there was a small sailing regatta taking place started by the traditional sound of canon fire.
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(Jaws springs to mind here)
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I watched for a while then went a mile or so further west along the coast road to Duver, another nature reserve. This place is primarily a winter feeding spot for migrating birds so as such was more open to the public.
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On the return journey I spotted a bay that I'd missed earlier and took a look there. Too busy, there was a campsite close by so the place was packed. As I passed Bembridge harbour I spotted a sign for crab sandwiches. Hmm yum yum. So I turned around (Cubs are handy for that) and went back to take a closer look. The 'shop' was down a gang plank and on a pontoon moored at a floating, (at least when the tide is in) jetty. I'm afraid I was a bit extravagant and spent £5.95 on one sandwich. While I was waiting the retired fisherman told me the story of my crab. It had been caught that morning off Ventnor and brought straight into him and his little 'factory' boat where he prepared the crabs and then sent them out all around the island to the various hotels, restaurants and where ever. On the wall were pictures of fishing boats, pots and people and one of a fisherman holding the biggest crab I've ever seen. Claw tip to claw tip was just under 3ft so I was told!. Wow, lots of sandwiches in that one. Then my sandwich was ready. Plain white bread, (as requested) and about an inch thick layer of crab. it must have been the whole crab in there and it was absolutely delicious. Ooh yuummmy.
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Back to Sandown and I took another look at my reel. It was kaput, irreparable, buggered. :evil: So no fishing for me. :cry: I could go out tomorrow and buy a new reel but I would not have many more fishing opportunities between now and ferry time so it wasn't worth it. Disappointedly I went back to the B&B and an early night.
Day 4, Wednesday
This morning the sea was like a millpond and there was hardly anybody about. Ideal for a bit of beach fishing. 
Today I was going to visit a craft place that one of the other guests told me about and then head north to the west of Cowes. The craft village was quite dear as they usually are but you can watch the people at work glass blowing, leather tooling, jewellery making and stuff like that. I bought a reasonably priced corn dolly for my sister in the States. The road doesn't follow the coast so the next bit of sea I got to was at Bouldnor which I think may be opposite the Hampshire campsite?
I could see the ferries going in and out of Yarmouth as I passed through and rode on to Fort Victoria.
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No real beaches here but there was a sea wall, ideal for fishing off.
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I went into the aquarium there and at £2.95 it was good value for money. I also bought a few things in the shop, I didn't bother to go in the Planetarium, the Model Railway or the Sunken treasure but headed off south towards Freshwater, coming in from a different direction. After relaxing there for a while it was time to head back to Sandown. At one point we had a little convoy held up by a tractor trailer doing about 25mph. There was a car behind the trailer, then me, then five or six cars behind. On the next stretch of straight road I waited for the car in front to overtake the trailer but it didn't so we were all now still stuck behind it due to the winding country road. I knew it was a long road and it would be quite a while before the tractor would be turning off so at the next stretch of straight road I went for it. Me and Ruby and three of the other cars got past before the next bend. Now, in London we don't often get the chance to overtake like that. That first car though stayed behind and is probably still there circling the island. My petrol gauge was in the red and I wondered if we'd make it to the garage in Sandown but of course we did. I still don't know how many miles I can get out of the red range. I picked up something to munch on and sat on the seafront eating it then went 'home' to bed.
Note. Considering I was on an island, I didn't see any fish and chip shops around. Chicken and chips, burgers, pizza, kebabs, Indian and Chinese, but no fish. There must have been some....somewhere. 
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Mine host came out whilst I was sitting on the patio and told me the weather forecast for tomorrow. Rain. So now I had to try and think of some where to go where I would be sheltered. Under the pier was the only place I could think of. Oh well, we'll just have to see in the morning.
Day 5, Thursday.
It apparently rained most of the night and was still drizzling now in the morning. Fingers crossed for better weather. But not to worry as after breakfast when we all left the rain had stopped and the sun was shining again. This is my last full day here before I head for London tomorrow. Mine host had told me last night of a fishing boat in Bembridge that takes people out on trips. I decided I'd head that way but wasn't holding out much hope. I knew the tide would be out and that little harbour virtually drains almost dry so it would have to have a deep channel some where there to use. I found the place and it had indeed gone, at 7am for a ten hour trip. They did apparently do a four hour trip on Monday and Friday afternoons. Poops, no good to me now.
I decided to go back up to Culver Down as it was on the way back.
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The cafe was now open so I had a nice cold ice lolly then rode up to the end of the road for a small photo shoot. Heading back and another stop at the cafe to pick up a cream tea but without the tea, (£2.50) to take down to Sandown to nibble on. And delicious it was too. I'd noticed that one of my rear indicators wasn't working so phoned Newt to ask what size bulb I needed. Then I had a thought and checked inside my box. Yep, a connection had come loose so an easy fix.
The rest of the day was a sort of catch-up day. I was re-organising my luggage and needed some new bungee bands so stopped in a little hardware store to get some. Then it was on to Ventnor where I'd seen a Honda dealership to get Rubys tyre pressures checked. After that down to the seafront for a last minute bit of souvenir shopping (but couldn't get parked near enough) so back to Sandown along the steep and winding roads that were all over this island. As I went round one particularly steep corner, a kid, whose parents were facing the other way taking photos of the view, threw a fist sized rock into the road. I couldn't swerve to miss it on such a sharp bend and clipped it with my front tyre. I heard it hit the bike and it sounded like plastic but all the same I kept stopping and checking for things that shouldn't be happening. Ruby seemed to be OK though. I had plenty of time so I stopped again at Shanklin and took a few more photos. Just as I put my camera away the Red Arrows flew over. Isn't it always the way. The tide was still going out and I watched as the crab pot buoys broke surface out in the bay.
It was today that I found that my charger had ceased to work. It had charged my phone fine on Sunday and my camera on Wednesday but now nothing. A bit worrying if something happened on the way home tomorrow and I needed it. All I could do was write down any phone numbers that I might need in an emergency and hope that some one would phone for me. After munchies it was time to fill up with petrol and then head for bed for the last time on the IOW.
Eek! There's two scooters where I was told to park Ruby. There was just enough room for me to squeeze in between them. Oh yeh, Wightegi had warned me there was a scooter rally this bank holiday weekend and I had seen a few buzzing around the island the last few days. My host told me they were expecting around 7000-8000 scooters to descend on the island for the festivities. Glad I was going to miss it. One pair of owners of one of these scooters nearly locked me out after asking me to leave the door on the latch for them, locked it when they went back in. (mumbles under my breath)
Day 6. Friday.
Homeward bound. It's 6am and I'd re-organised and packed most of my luggage last night. Unfortunately my cargo nets have lost their elasticity which is why I needed the new bungee bands. But on closer inspection, although they were long enough, I don't think they're up to the job. Too soft if you know what I mean. I'll stop by the other hardware store on the way out of town and hopefully get some decent ones. I packed the bike up using these flabby ones and put the panniers back on. Nothing left but to put the basket in the topbox and I was ready to go.
After another full English breakfast it was time to settle my bill and head off.
Aw, nice man in the hardware store. He even came out with a tape measure and then opened a pack to offer up the bungee. It was ideal, a nice heavy duty one so I bought two.
No dramas on the way to Fishbourne for the ferry. I was the first bike in the queue and sat on the wall to wait. "I don't believe it!" It was another biker with a big bike who was admiring Ruby. "I passed my test on one of these." we chatted for a while until he was distracted by two more even bigger bikes that pulled up. Me and Ruby were now ignored, probably even pitied.
The ferry pulled in and the ramp came down. First off was an old lady in a motorised scooter who had trouble finding a bit of pavement she could use.
Then it happened! Do you remember that crazy frog ringtone? Bing bing bing bing bang bang bing bing...... Scooters! Hundreds of them. Well, fifty at least. They all came pinging and popping up the ramp in a cloud of smelly two-stroke exhaust fumes. It was quite comical in a way. I'm definitely glad I'm leaving the island.
Cars towing caravans, a coach, a lorry and an ambulance were all let on first.Then the two bigger bikes pushed in and got ahead of me. Hah. They were put into a car space and me and Ruby were asked to squeeze between the coach, the ambulance and a car to get to the front. There we were told to park crossways across the ship, we would definitely be first off now.
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Up yours you big bike show-offs. Pushing in didn't get you anywhere. :lol:
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Coming up was the dreaded Portsmouth and the two motorways, the M27 and the M3. Those are the only signs you have plus 'Out of City. A great help that. So off I went and before I knew it I was on the M27. I was looking for the A3. Oh well, can't turn around so I continued on to the next exit which wasn't very far. I came off the motorway and.....onto the A3. Yippee!! Properly homeward bound now.
Every thing went well on the ride. A few stops to get my circulation going, have a swig of water and let Ruby rest for a few minutes and then carry on. No problems at all. Warm dry weather, hardly any traffic and no hold-ups. We made good time to London. Just coming into Kingston and it was time for petrol. I saw a petrol station 'up there' but the barriers stopped me getting to it. On and on I went and still no garages, things were getting desperate now. I had no choice but to pull off the road, onto the pavement and into a little side road, unload the tent etc and use my reserve petrol bottle. It brought the gauge up to just under half. Into South London now and the roads were still surprisingly clear for a bank holiday weekend especially. It was about 3.15pm. I'd got off the ferry about 12.30pm so I think we made good time. I filled up with petrol again, just to be sure and this time I didn't get lost as I usually do in Sth London. Blackfriars Bridge heralded the final run for home, about twenty minutes. I hit a big hole though just before it and worried about my wheel. It turns out that wasn't what I should be worried about.
Stopped at the lights on the other side of the bridge and a big bike pulled alongside. "You're about to lose your thingy" What? What thingy? One of those useless bungee bands I thought. But no, it was one of my panniers, the newer one that hadn't really been on the bike before. The two hooks that hold it on the rail had broken and the top velcro strap had come undone. It was only held on, (just) by the bottom velcro strap and was sticking out at right angles to the bike. Another few yards and it would be off and likely run over. Nothing for it I pulled onto the pavement to assess the situation. There was no way I could fix it to the side of the bike, it would have to go on the top of the topbox. Those two manky bungees now came into their own to hold it there for a more careful drive the rest of the way home.
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I made it, it was 4.35pm. Yippee! Unload the bike and off for a pint. I reckon that taking out the stop times, it took me three hours to get home.
Total mileage for the whole week including my tour of Portsmouth and Southsea, then on to the campsite, 513.
As you can see, it was perfect riding weather, hot and sunny.
More pics here:- http://s70.photobucket.com/user/leiba1/library/IOW
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