Western Yar Stroll

Bank Holiday Weekend & the sun came out for our Western Yar Stroll.

We began by visiting the statue of a gribble! Fortunately not life size!! These creatures attack wooden piers therefore hard wood is used which takes longer for the gribble to attack, 40 years on average rather than 10-15 years. Yarmouth Pier is one of the oldest wooden piers in the UK still in use & a Grade II listed building.

The Western Yar estuary has been designated a Site of Scientific Interest & is also part of the Island's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Before the Island became an island in around 7000 BC the source of the Western Yar was located in the hills much further south which no longer exist.

The sailors were also out enjoying the wind & sunshine. In the background beside the river is Kings Manor Farm built in the early 18th century & mentioned in the Domesday Book. The present owner is the grandson of Harry Ferguson, one of the 20th century's most celebrated inventors & pioneers. He is most famous for his 'Little Grey Fergie' tractor.



Up High on the Downs

What a glorious day!!  After waking up to the sound of rain it disappeared in time for our scenic walk
Up High on the Downs.

It is feeling autumnal already which meant we had some fantastic views from Tennyson Down.

Alfred Lord Tennyson who lived at Farringford in Freshwater Bay enjoyed walking on these Downs which were named in his memory & a monument built.

The Isle of Wight is blessed with fantastic views.

Alum Bay with its coloured sands. The fine white sand was once exported to Bristol & London to be used in the glassmaking industry.

After enjoying an early cream tea at Warren Farm Tearooms which has been voted one of the Top 10 places in the UK to have a Cream Tea we continued down to Freshwater Bay, past Dimbola Lodge the former home of the Victorian photographer & close friend of Tennyson, Julia Margaret Cameron & past the only thatched church on the Island & dedicated to St Agnes.

Smugglers & Shipwrecks

A warm sunny morning greeted seven intrepid explorers on a recent Smugglers & Shipwrecks walk.

From Mottistone we walked up to the Neolithic Long Stone which marked the entrance of a communal burial chamber. The vertical stones were positioned so at dawn on midwinter's day the suns rays would shine between them, straight down the whole length of the tomb & awaken the spirits of the dead.

In the 18th century there was an increase in shipwrecks & smuggling.  There were approximately three shipwrecks per year. In total the admiralty have found 4000 shipwrecks around the Island. Ships timbers were used in the construction of houses, boats & churches.  The most common merchandise was alcohol, in particular wine, brandy & rum.

The first smuggler to be caught was the Rector of Freshwater who was caught for smuggling wool to France in 1395.

We enjoyed some fantastic views along the Back of the Wight from Blackgang in the east to the Needles & across the Solent to Old Harry Rocks in Studland, Dorset to the west.

The Island was once connected to the mainland but when the sea level rose around
7000 BC the Solent which was then a river cut through the chalk ridge & thus an island was created.

Guest Speaker

I am pleased to announce I am also offering my services as a Guest Speaker to local clubs & societies on the Isle of Wight

I have several entertaining 1hr Powerpoint presentations on various aspects of my travels including:

London to Sydney in 98 days
London to New York the Long Way Round
Walking Holidays
Wildlife Safaris
Ethnic Tribes
Foreign Cuisine
The Life of An Adventure Tour Leader
Sicily
Sardinia
Cyprus: north & south
Mauritius & Reunion
Australia
Sudan
South West Africa Overland: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia & Namibia
Kenya
Eritrea & Ethiopia
Mali & The Festival of the Desert
Madagascar
China & Central Asia
India & Nepal
Caribbean: St Lucia, Dominica, Martinique & Cuba

Plus I can tailor make the talks depending upon the interests of the group.

I love talking about my experiences as a Tour Leader & sharing some of the many adventures I have had over 20 years of tour leading in over 70 different countries.

 I charge just £25 for an hour's talk plus travelling expenses.
 The maximum distance on the island costs £10.00.

Family Walks

The first three walks this month took off with a flying start!

A French family joined me on Water & Woods & Smugglers & Shipwrecks 

Newtown Estuary

The Long Stone, Mottistone

Plus 3 generations of one family joined me on Water & Woods

Information about the walks

The Isle of Wight has 500 miles of footpaths. That's more than any other county in the UK.
So what better way to explore the island than on a Guided Wight Walk with Michele

Each walk costs:
Adults - £5
Children under 12 - £2
Seniors 65 plus - £3

All walks are guaranteed
weather permitting!
Wear sensible footwear,
 suncream, sunhat & sunglasses in summer,
layers & waterproofs in spring & autumn.
Bring water & snacks.

Private guided walks also available.
2-3 hours/4-6 miles £25 per group
4-5 hours/8-10 miles £50 per group

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