Some celebrities named Cornwall as the best place in UK for a holiday at home. 'They obviously haven't been to the Isle of Wight,' said Alan Titchmarsh. Have driven across the Island a few times recently and it is looking the best it ever has.
Rode the bike around the Island over New Year, and bearing in mind that it was generally cold and wet, amidst a few hours of watery sunshine, I thought the the main part of the Island looked as pretty as I last remembered, which was at least 20 years back. I do cheat a bit, because I get to the IOW several times a year by sailing up the various rivers and creeks. The view I generally get though doesn't tell anything like the whole story of the Island. A few pictures here give an impression. They aren't mine, as I never take a camera on board. Too busy and I'd hate to hear the plop sound from the water as £300 of ancient Pentax SLR disappears forever. But I know these views well. Anyway, for example: Bembridge River Medina Newtown Creek Yarmouth Harbour Wootton Creek Incidentally, talking about potential disappearing objects, I once dropped my GUL surfers watch [wearing it now] into Southampton Water, as we were moored up. I dived in after it. Stupid move really as it cost me just a few quid in Clovelly, a few years back. I can get quite sentimental about my things, once I decide I can rely on them.
The Bay of Naples without Vesuvius (or Capri). There are some low hills with dead chemically ravaged trees overlooking Port Talbot. As Max Boyce said (and he should know) in one of his "jokes" in which one man asks another about a bright object in the sky, "Dai, is that the sun or the moon?" "Dunno, I'm from Port Talbot" .... I didn't say it was funny! I appreciate the value of Port Talbot(and Baglan) to the economy. I'm just saying it "don't look good" (or smell good). But that's what I love about Swansea. Look one way (East) and it's industrial history, turn the other(West) and it's beautiful beaches, winding lanes, great pubs, and "palm" trees.
My work used to take me to the Isle of Wight and I have to say I always found the natives very friendly and welcoming. I particularly like Yarmouth as it reminds me so much of my boyhood which tells you a great deal about the time warp in which this Island is located. I think all Islands are strange and generally a little behind the times and I would include the British Ilses in that compared with the continental mainland. The biggest problem with Islands is the inbreeding.
Inbreeding was a problem on the Island because in the 19th century few would even travel much between towns, but luckily Queen Victoria brought soldiers with her who added to the gene pool. There is a footpath near me called Petticoat Lane where ladies of the nocturnal variety would stroll around.
In the eighties I had to give a woman from the Isle of Wight a lift from the IoW Ferry to my employers in Southampton. It turned out that this was her first visit to the City and she was nearly 40!
You cannot go on with this neglectful attitude. This thread is like an orphan now and it is at risk of being kidnapped. Given the definition of an orphan I suppose I am one and of course Major General Stanley would not therefore have told a lie to the Pirate King when he claimed to be one. His later remorse at telling what he believed to be a falshood was therefore misplaced.
It could be hijacked by the 'first to 1000 replies' thread which I understand is jealous of its success.
Found this little youngster thread wandering around on its own, so thought it should be brought back to safety.
Well done Fran but I have a sneaky feeling that you and I are going to have to nurture the little blighter. That Joe is the epitomy of the modern man. He goes around shagging all over the place and expects others to look after the resulting kids!
Just had a message from ebay... "Celebrate the Queen's Jubilee with 4 days of no insertion fees" The mind boggles..!
Found this thread looking unloved and forlorn. Somebody owns it and I think they ought to come forward and claim it, instead of casting it adrift. Modern times, tsk tsk.
