Another visit to the Isle of Wight (Mary has family there) in September this time rather than October. Normally, Mary would drive down and we would catch the Lymington - Yarmouth ferry. This time we decided to go by train (Hereford to Southampton Central) followed by a short bus ride to the Red Jet terminal and a very smooth, fast (28 minutes) trip over to West Cowes. Travel costs are similar to the car/ferry option. We were greeted by the magnificent sight of the Spanish Galleon, Andalucia moored up at West Cowes.
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| Photo 1: Galeon Andalucia at West Cowes (Sept 2024) |
Note that the above is not a B&W photograph but just a very grey day! Indeed, grey is a good description of the weather during our 5 day stay; wet would be another excellent adjective for the weather. For example, this photo was taken while on a stroll along the beach at Compton Bay.
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Photo 2: Glowering skies at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight (Sept 2024)
Mary always carries a small kite in her bag ...
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| Photo 3: Mary & Kite, Compton Bay (Sept 2024) |
... and did finally get it up, up and away ...
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| Photo 4: Kite aloft |
Unfortunately, one visitor was not having a fun-filled day at the beach ...
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| Photo 5: Washed-up Dolphin (Compton Bay, September 2024) |
The
dolphin had been reported a couple of weeks ago and was awaiting removal. It seems this is quite a
common occurrence.
Despite the poor weather, we managed a trip to Yarmouth, including a walk on the
pier, where youngsters were
crabbing and the adults were
angling ...
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| Photo 6: Yarmouth Pier Looking Westward (September 2024) |
... and, of course, yachts were sailing ...
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| Photo 7: Yachts Sailing on The Solent, off Yarmouth Pier (September 2024) |
There did seem to be a race on ...
Video 1: Racing on the Solent
... but then my knowledge of sailing is based on reading Swallows & Amazons.
Before heading home, we revisited Mottistone Gardens. We had visited these National Trust gardens in October 2023 so were hoping for a more floriferous display in early September. And we were not disappointed.
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| Photo 8: Looking Down the Herbaceous Border Towards the House |
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| Photo 9: Dense Ginger Lily (Mottistone, September 2024) |
The warm sun brought out the butterflies including this small copper ...
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| Photo 10: Small Copper (Mottistone, September 2024) |
But the pièce de résistance was the largest and loudest UK bush cricket ...
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