Haven Falconry

On the Sunday I went to Haven Falconry centre. To be honest, it was difficult to find somewhere open in a Sunday out of season. I was the first one there. In fact only one, and before most of the staff even arrived. I had a walk around before flying a Harris Hawk.

So noisy!

Burrowing owl - my favourite. So cute.

Because it was the winter, they were doing free hawk flights so I got to go out and fly Eddie the Harris Hawk.

Eddie.

All this took about 30 mins. On the way back to Shanklin, I stopped at Arreton barns, a craft village. Some of the places were open and there was somewhere to get a tea. And the glass studio was open. I treated myself to a super cute little statue of an adult emperor penguin and a baby. True Happy Feet style. I also hit the food barn and got some goodies, including some brandy snaps, which I am not supposed treat but couldn't resit.

Back at Shanklin, I went back to the beach and sat on the sea wall with a cup of tea and the brandy snaps. It was very sunny, but cold. I lasted about 30 mins but it was nice being outside. (Even it my butt was numb by the end.)

As per my November holiday tradition on the Sunday night I found a good restaurant and had a splash out meal. This year was at the Royal Hotel in Ventor. It was nice but not up to the standard as previous years. Still they had some very nice champagne by the glass which I enjoyed while waiting for my meal. 

Cheers!

Osborne House

The weather was pretty miserable on Saturday so I went to Osborne House in Cowes, one of Queen Victoria's favourite. They recently filmed the Victoria and Abdul film here. 

Entrance

Statue of one of Queen Victoria's favourite dogs.

Family portrait.

They had the whole house dressed up for Christmas. And as most of the traditions we have for Christmas come from Victorian times, it was nice to see them up.

Christmas table

Love chair, for dating couples (middle) and their chaperones (the ends)

Victoria's billiard table - taller so she could play without bending

Statue with earrings.

Horn chair

All the furniture in this room was made from antlers.

Queen Victoria's lift (hand pulled)

The last room was the main banquet hall, used for official visits and later on family (she had 40+ grandkids!). It's all plaster and based on Indian designs.

It was drizzling when I went outside (after a lovely chat about books with the lady in the shop) and headed over to the Swiss cottage and down to the beach.

The back garden

Around the Swiss cottage.

The cottage was shut but the walk down to the beach was open.

Queen Victoria loved being outside so she had these little huts built across the grounds so she could sit outside during any weather. There was one down on the beach and no one else around. It was so peaceful. I really want one of these! (Hut and beach.)

The beach

On the way home I went to the second vineyard on the Isle of Wight, Adgestone Vineyard. The guy who gave me the easing there was very good and they have some lovely wines. Also some interesting ones, one of which I have brought my brother-in-law for Christmas, along with a few for myself of course. 

I got back to Shanklin early as I had an early dinner reservation and ticket for the theatre. The dinner was nice though they put me the opposite side of the restaurant to everyone else. It wasn't a toilet seat (the one near the toilet or behind the kitchen door where they usually put single people) but it was weird.

At the theatre, I saw the Russian State ballet perform Swan Lake. It was very good though the story was the usual. Boy meets girl. Boy promises girl everything. In the day it takes girl to join him, he has promised himself to someone else who was wearing a similar dress ("But I had a drink and I thought she was you!" Where have I heard that one before?) And in the end everyone dies. But they were very pretty while doing it. 

The Needles

The weather on my first day was gorgeous. (It went a bit downhill after this.) The Needles are on the west most tip of the inland. There is a park there but as it's the winter, it was like a ghost town.

View over Alum Bay

Ghost town

There is chair lift to get down to the beach but winter, so closed. I had to take the stairs. I knew going down I was not going to enjoy the route back. (I didn't.)

Headed down.

View to the Needles.

More stairs.

I had the place to myself for most of the time down there. I only left because my bum got cold! I was really peaceful.

And back up.

On the way out I stopped at the shop which was open and grabbed some more Christmas presents. And some gin! They have a small island distillery and sell Mermaid gin. I did also later try the Navy gin but wow, that was strong. I prefer the Mermaid gin.
I also stopped off at Freshwater bay, a lovely little beach on the next stop.

My last stop for the day was Rosemary Vineyard. It was a bit of a nightmare to get to as a few roads were shut but I got there and did a tasting. Some of there things are ok but they mainly do fruit wines. I got a few bits and some cider.

Portsmouth Historic Harbour

Last week was a long one. Monday and Tuesday I was at a workshop in central London. I hate London transport; most of the time I end up walking instead of getting the tube so at least it was great for my steps. On Thursday I heard off early for my normal November trip. My ferry wasn't until 1pm so I got to Portsmouth early and spent a few hours at the Historic Harbour. I could easily have spent all day there but decided to go to the HMS Victory which was Nelson's flagship during the battle of Trafalgar. It was heavily damaged during the battle (Nelson was killed) but it managed to get repaired and returned and is the worlds oldest Navy vessel still in commission (launched in 1765). 

HMS Victory

Going onboard.

Inside

On the deck

I got there just as they opened so I was the only person on board for some time. A group of school kids did join me but stayed on the upper decks.

Giant anchor.

My inner 5yr old loved this one! (Means the back of the ship)

Comfy.

Nelson's desk (one of a few of his things onboard)

More cannons.

It is old!

Lots of rope

The decks became lower the further own you go.

From the outside.

I also had enough time to go and see the Mary Rose. It was launched in 1536 (by Henry VIII), sank in 1545, and raised in 1982. 

One of the cannons

The remains of the hull.

Puppy found outside the Carpenters cabin

Violin

The trip on the ferry over to the Isle of Wight was uneventful. The weather was nice so I got a hot chocolate and sat on the outside deck. Most people sat inside so it was very peaceful.

I stayed in Shanklin on the South East side of the island. It only takes about 30 mins to drive across the island so I got there early and went for a walk to the beach. I have been to the Isle of Wight before but it was a long time ago. But I did correctly remember the number of cliffs. The walk back up was town and hotel was steep but the view from the beach worth it.

Shanklin beach

One of the best things about going away in the winter is I am often the only one on the beach!