Winter Wonderland

Happy 2013 everyone & here's to another year of Guided Wight Walks with Michele!

I would like to share with you some photos I took recently of our Winter Wonderland.  Walked along the old railway line between Yarmouth to Freshwater.

Boats on the River Yar in the distance.

Magical!

The Causeway, Freshwater

Looking across to the Downs.  The Isle of Wight really became the Isle of White!

I am happy to announce I am available as a Walking Guide for private groups this year.

I have a portfolio of walks to suit all levels of fitness & interests including some of my favourites & more: Western Yar Stroll, Smugglers & Shipwrecks, Up High on the Downs, On Top of the Island, Water & Woods & Salt & Pepper.

As always not only do I lead the walks, I give interesting & entertaining information along the way about the history of the Island, geography, flora & fauna, smugglers & shipwrecks, Victorian visitors, music festivals, ghost stories & dinosaurs!

My charges are: 2-3 hour walk/4-6 miles - 2-10 people @ £25/11-20 people @ £40
4-5 miles walk/8-10 miles - 2-10 people @ £50/11-20 people @ £75.

My contact numbers are: 01983 761574 & 07771 616540
or email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk

I look forward to meeting you & showing you the beautiful Isle of Wight on a Guided Wight Walk with Michele

Another summer season is over!

My Guided Walks have been a little quiet this summer hence the lack of posts.

However my Western Yar Stroll has been the most popular especially with Warners, Norton Grange. At the beginning of September 17 members of the Concierge Club joined me for a very pleasant 4.5 mile stroll.

The weather was kind to us & we saw some of the local wildlife including an elusive red squirrel, a friendly donkey

plus plenty of birdlife along the Western Yar including several mute swans.

I've met some lovely people on my walks from all around the country.

I am available over the autumn & winter months as a private guide. All levels of walking experience catered for. Do give me a call or send me an email to discuss the various options:
Home 01983 761574
Mobile 07771 616540
Email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk

Up on Tennyson Down

Newtown Estuary

Freshwater Bay with the Back of the Wight beyond!

Luccombe Down with Sandown Bay & Culver Down in the background

 

Hope to see you on a Guided Wight Walk with Michele sometime soon.

 

 

Salt & Pepper

Today I led my Salt & Pepper walk from Blackgang Chine with a lovely group of girls on a Hen Weekend.

First we headed up to the Pepperpot.  The UK's last surviving medieval lighthouse. Built in the early 14th century by Lord de Godeton. A man of the church who helped himself to wine from a shipwreck. He was almost excommunicated for his actions, instead he was given a penance to build a beacon & chapel.

Then we walked along the ridge with fantastic views across the Island in all directions to Hoy's Monument. Erected by Michael Hoy, a Russian merchant to commerorate the visit of Czar Alexander in 1814.

Next we headed down to the village of Whitwell where we stopped for a very tasty lunch at the White Horse Inn: www.thewhitehorsewhitewell.co.uk

Our last stretch was along the coastal path above St Catherine's lighthouse where we enjoyed the view. St Catherine's  has the most powerful light in the UK, reaching 26 sea miles in clear visibility.

I have two versions of this walk 7 miles or 8 miles.
Both start & finish at the car-park above Blackgang Chine.

myisleofwight.com

Do have a look at a recent article published on myisleofwight.com

http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/my-isle-of-wight/features/michele-cook/#.T5-e0jzeJG4.email

Summer Programme 2012

I am pleased to announce my Summer Programme of Walks is now complete.

These walks may not take place every week so it is essential you phone or email me in advance to check & make a booking on 01983 761574 or 07771 616540 or email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk

All walks cost:
Adults £5
Seniors 65 years plus £3
Children under 12 years £2

MONDAYS - from 9th April - On Top of the Island
6 miles
Meet outside reception at Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park, Wroxall, PO38 3EP at 09.30
www.appuldurcombegardens.co.uk
Approx 3 hours

TUESDAYS - from 3rd April - Smugglers & Shipwrecks
5.5 miles
Meet in the garden at The Sun Inn, Hulverstone, PO30 4EH at 10.00
www.sun-hulverstone.com
Approx 3 hours

WEDNESDAYS - from 4th April - Back of the Wight
6.5 miles
Meet outside reception at The Orchards Holiday Park, Newbridge, PO41 0TS at 09.30
www.orchards-holiday-park.co.uk
Approx 3.5 hours

THURSDAYS - from 5th April - Forts & Waves
8.5 miles
Meet outside reception at West Bay, Yarmouth, PO41 0RJ at 09.30
www.westbayclub.co.uk
Approx 5 hours.  Bring a picnic.

FRIDAYS - from 6th April - Up High on the Downs
7.5 miles
Meet outside reception at Stoats Farm Caravan & Camping, Totland, PO39 0HE at 09.30
www.stoats-farm.co.uk
Approx 4.5 hours. Bring a picnic.

I look forward to meeting you on a Guided Wight Walk with Michele

Don't forget I am also available as a Private Walking Guide.

Cost per group:

2-3 hours/4-6 miles £25

4-5 hours/8-10 miles £50

On Top of the Island

This new exciting walk starts on Mondays fortnightly from 9th April.

We meet at Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park in Wroxall
www.appuldurcombegardens.co.uk at 09.30.
If you are not staying at the Holiday Park please park in the free village carpark 10 mins walk down the road or at the Appuldurcombe House car park 5 mins walk away.

6 miles
Moderate
Up & Down & level walking
Approx 3 hours

We begin by walking to Appuldurcombe House. This once beautiful 18th century building was sadly bombed during WWII.  It was restored but only the shell remains. Now owned by English Heritage. Appuldurcombe means Valley of the Apple Trees.

We then head up onto Wroxall Down & past Ventnor Radar Station,  former RAF Ventnor built in 1938 to monitor D-Day Landings. It was repeatedly bombed during WWII & used until the early 1960's. Several bunkers still exist & are occasionally frequented by the local wildlife!

We reach the highest point on the Island at 241m.  On a clear day the 360 degree views are really impressive.  In the distance we can see Sandown Bay & Culver Down.

Out at sea off the south coast of the Island we often see passing cruise ships, cross channel ferries & cargo boats heading in & out of Portsmouth & Southampton.

We walk on Top of the Island as we head onto Luccombe Down & St Martin's Down. During the summer the heather, gorse & ferns are ablaze with colour. These Downs are an important breeding ground for several birds including the rare Dartford Warbler. New Forest ponies have been introduced as their grazing creates habitat for a variety of wildlife.

As we begin to descend we pass by the site of Cook's Castle. Originally built in the 18th century & designed by Capability Brown to create a romantic building to be viewed from Appuldurcombe House. It was never actually a defensive building but used more as a romantic tearoom during Victorian times!

The last part of our walk takes us along the old railway line which once connected Sandown to Ventnor via a tunnel through the Downs which was completed in 1866. Ventnor station was the end of the line.

Adults - £5.00
Seniors 65 plus - £3.00
Children under 12 - £2.00

To book:
Email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk
Phone 01983 761574
Mobile 07771 616540

Forts & Waves

This new Forts & Waves walk will begin on 5th April & will be available most Thursdays until 25th October.

8.5 miles
Moderate
Ups & Downs!

We meet outside the reception at West Bay Club, Hallets Chute, Yarmouth www.westbayclub.co.uk
at 09.30. Approx 5 hours. Bring a picnic.

First we head towards the Solent where our first fort sighting is Albert Fort & opposite on the mainland Hurst Castle built by Henry VIII.  Both were constructed to keep the French out.

We follow the coastal path passing Colwell Bay & Totland Bay with an impressive view of the famous Needles in the distance.

Next we head up onto Headon Warren.Once the breeding ground for rabbits in the 15th century. They were bred for their fur & meat. From the top we have good views looking down onto the Solent. We also pass a couple of Bronze Age burial mounds dating back 3500 years.

We continue up onto Tennyson Down & to Tennyson's Monument. Named after the Poet Laureate who lived in Freshwater Bay & often enjoyed strolling up onto the Downs where he would find inspiration to write poetry.

As we descend to Freshwater Bay we hope to have a good view along the Back of the Wight as far as Blackgang. This stretch of coastline was notorious for shipwrecks & smuggling & reached its peak in the 18th century. Fort Redoubt guards the entrance to the bay.

Our final stretch takes us past Golden Hill Fort & the country park which was offically opend by Lord Mountbatten in 1970 when he was the Governor of the Island. This Grade One listed building has now been converted into luxury apartments.

Depending upon the high tides in Colwell Bay we may do the walk in reverse.

Adults - £5.00
Seniors 65 plus - £3.00
Children under 12 - £2.00

To book:
Email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk
Phone 01983 761574
Mobile 07771 616540