Isle Of Wight

Holiday Brief

 Some photos are now up at http://www.indivisibilities.com/gallery/

For the bank holday at the end of May, we should go to the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. We can go from Saturday to Monday if it's possible. There are a few things that need to be organised, but it shouldn't be too hard, wight?!

Weather

BBC (Saturday 27th) -

Who's coming

Marc - definite

Rebecca (Ben's Cookies flavoured) - definite

Caz - 99.4% probability

Tom - definite

Matt - definite

Lee - definite

Tim - may have to book assuming not coming

Sissy - may have to book assuming not coming

Mildred - definite

Definitely - Maybe

Dr Sloan - too busy

Definites - 6, Maybes - 2, Made up People - 3

Transport there and back

This has now been booked -

Red Funnel - 2 x (Car + 3 people) = £139

Out-bound: Saturday 27/05/06 - 4pm from Southampton to East Cowes

Return Journey: Monday 29/05/06 - 1.30pm from East Cowes to Southampton

check-in time: at least 30 mins before departure time. We just have to present our booking no.s: 2906126, 2906215

transit time: 55 mins

Our vehicle ferry terminal in Southampton (Terminal 1) can be found at Dock Gate 7 on Town Quay Road, S014 2AQ - follow signs to Southampton Waterfront. Our Isle of Wight vehicle terminal is at Trinity Yard, East Cowes PO32 6RF.

Where we'll stay

Where's Wally?

We're staying in Sandown now in the Chester Lodge Hotel. The cost is £28ppn and two car parking spaces are available for us. There will be three single rooms and one triple room.

The hotel blurb is as follows:

"We are a friendly family run 16 bedroom hotel. Our detached residence stands in its own grounds and is situated in an ideal position in the best part of Sandown. just minutes to shops and facing the sea - many of our rooms are sea view!

Sandown has a lovely climate, having held the "All England" sunshine record for many years. Safe, sandy beaches, pier, picturesque wooded roads, fantastic views from "The Downs" and extensive attractions all make for a perfect holiday or short break.

Sandown is a family resort. There are nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes. The kids will have hours of fun on Browns Pitch and Putt whilst close by is the Zoo with tiger sanctuary. Sandown also has an 18-hole golf course, small airport where you can take a pleasure flight and even a Dinosaur Museum where you can wonder at the Prehistoric Visitors that the Island used to cater for.

We are easily accessible to all amenities and have a bus stop 100 yards away with links to all areas of the Island and the Sandown tour."

There's a pretty cool webcam at http://www.camvista.com/england/other/isleofwight_sandown.php?pageMode=nonjava .

Getting to the Hotel

 The Chester Lodge Hotel
 7 Beachfield Road
 Sandown
 Isle Of Wight
 PO36 8NA

Lat: 50:39:09N (50.6525) Lon: 1:09:34W (-1.1595)

However you travel, when you have reached Sandown, The Chester Lodge is situated past all of shops and approximatly 200 yards from the post office on the right hand side.

The Natives

Natives

The earliest known inhabitants of the island are dinosaurs, some of whose bones have been discovered in recent times. Dinosaur Isle is a museum in Sandown which displays many of these relics.

The native-born islanders have a very strong sense of local identity, sometimes thinking of the Island almost as though England were a separate country.

The natives were formerly cannibals, later reforming into vegetarians who look after the island.

At first you may feel out of place, but the islanders are mainly friendly, and will make you feel at home.

What we'll do

On The Way Down

Shakeaway

What a cheeky chappy.

Buy an aero ® mint ~ after eight ® (v) ~ amaretti (ng) ~ apple (v) ~ apple & blackberry (v) apple pie (ng) ~ apricot (v) ~ bakewell tart (ng) ~ banana (v) ~ banoffee muffin (ng)battenburg (nv) (ng) ~ blackcurrant (v) ~ blackcurrant cheesecake (ng) ~ black jacks ® (nv)blueberry nutrigrain ® (ng) ~ boost ® (ng) ~ bounty ® dark ~ bounty ® milk bourbon biscuit (ng) ~ bournville ® (ng) ~ butterscotch ~ cadbury's caramel ® cadbury's chocolate mini roll ® (ng) ~ cadbury's creme egg ® ~ cadbury's fruit & nut ® (ng) cappuccino muffin (ng) ~ caramel shortbread ~ caramel snack-a-jacks ® carrot cake (ng) ~ cherry (v) choca mocha ~ chocolate ~ chocolate & cherry ~ chocolate chip cookie (ng) chocolate fudge brownie (ng) ~ chocolate digestive ® milk (ng) ~ chocolate digestive ® plain (ng) chocolate hob nob ® milk (ng) ~ chocolate hob nob ® plain (ng) ~ chocolate muffin (ng) chocolate & peanut butter ~ chocolate pop tart ® (nv) (ng) ~ coco pops ® (ng) ~ coconut (v) coffee (v) ~ crunchie ® ~ crunchy nut corn flakes ® ~ cucumber (v) ~ curly wurly ® custard ~ custard creams (ng) ~ dime bar ® ~ dolly mixtures ® (nv) double decker ® ~ egg custard tart (ng) ~ farley's rusk ® (ng) ferrero rocher ® ~ fig roll ® (ng) ~ flying saucers ® (nv) (ng) ~ fondant fancies ® (nv) (ng) fruit salad chews ® (nv) ~ fry's orange cream ® (v) ~ fry's peppermint cream ® (v)fudge ~ ginger (v) ~ ginger nuts (v) (ng) ~ gooseberry (v) & custard grapefruit (v) ~ haribo starmix ® (nv) ~ hazelnut choc chip cookie (ng) hershey's cookies 'n creme ® (ng) ~ honey ~ humbug mints (v) ~ iced gems ® jaffa cake ® (ng) ~ jam doughnut (ng) ~ jam tart (ng) ~ jamaica ginger cake (ng) jammie dodger ® (ng) ~ jammie wagon wheel ® (nv) (ng) ~ jelly babies ® (nv) jelly beans (nv) ~ jelly tots ® (v) ~ kinder bueno ® (ng) ~ kit kat chunky ® (ng) lemon & lime (v) ~ lemon curd ~ lemon drizzle cake (ng) ~ lemon meringue ~ lime (v) lion bar ® (ng) ~ liquorice allsorts (nv) ~ love hearts (and new for 2006: chav hearts!) ® (nv) ~ malted milk biscuits (ng)maltesers ® (ng) ~ mandarin (v) ~ maple syrup (v) ~ mars ® (ng) ~ marshmallow (nv) melon (v) ~ milky bar ® ~ minstrels ® (ng) ~ m&m ® peanut (nv) (ng) ~ nutella ® orange marmalade ~ oreo cookie ® (ng) ~ parma violets ® (nv) ~ passion fruit (v) peach (v) ~ peanut butter (v) ~ pear (v) ~ pineapple (v) ~ raspberry (v) ~ reeces cups ® refreshers ® (nv) ~ revels ® (ng) ~ rhubarb (v) & custard ~ rolo ® ~ sesame snaps ® (v) sherbet fountain ® (v w/o liquorice) (ng) ~ skittles ® (nv) ~ smarties ® (nv) (ng) snickers ® ~ snowball ® ~ special k bar ® (ng) ~ spotted dick (ng) ~ starburst ® (v) strawberries (summer only) (v) ~ strawberry cheesecake (ng) ~ strawberry laces (nv) (ng) strawberry trifle (ng) ~ sugar puffs ® ~ syrup sponge (ng) ~ terry's choc orange ® milk (ng) ~ tic tacs lime & orange ® ~ tic tacs mint ® (v) ~ toblerone ® ~ toffee cheesecake (ng) toffee popcorn ~ treacle tart (ng) ~ trebor extra strong mints ® (nv) ~ turkish delight ® twix ® (ng) ~ vanilla (v) ~ walnut whip ® OR weetabix ® flavour milkshake at Southampton branch of 'Shakeaway' if we get the ferry from there.

While We're There

The Crab Inn

Matt's ideas

• play volleyball on the beach?
• visit Adgestone Vineyard, a couple of miles from Sandown

• visit some of the 171 pubs on the island, such as the following old man pubs:

- The Crab Inn (Shanklin Old Village) - Famous for being on many fudge box fronts and is still thatched and very old. Nice to have a pint outside in the summer evenings. No gardens or children's play areas. Popular with FOOD also in two or three family dining rooms inside. Pool table.

- Fisherman's Cottage (Shanklin Beach - South) Very old and very small, picture postcard thatched pub virtually on the beach. Good views and reasonable amount of outdoor seating - no children's play areas although the beach is a couple of yards away! Sometimes has evening entertainment at peak season. Also good for FOOD. This pub is not open all year.

• Practise the local dialogue:

'She sells sea shells on the sea shore' 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper'

Tom's Ideas

Shanklin Tea Shop

• Shanklin Tea Shop: Sit on a cliff-top with a weekend's supply of freshly brewed tea bought from the The Old Thatch, a tea shop in Shanklin. Cotted cream teas, homemade cakes, light lunches, for example quiche, jacket potatoes, sandwiches including fresh crab and homemade soup. 4 Church Road, Old Village, Shanklin, PO37 6NU. Telephone: 01983 863184
• Have a look at the needles and the lighthouse
• Make sand castles
• Fossil hunting
• Piff paff about a bit, or somffin or noffin innit

Marc's Ideas

The needles on the western tip of the isle.

• Write out postcards to forgotten Uncles and Aunts
• Find a good, solid deck chair and rest my weary legs on the beach for the entire holiday, Special Brew to hand at all times.
• Sing R&B songs the whole time, with all the instruments included
• Do the regionally-accepted greeting of ten spotty dogs at the start of every conversation with the banana-head natives
• Take time out of the busy hustle and bustle of Wight life, by stopping to practise eating my right shoulder and touching my left elbow to my left ear
• Forget that sleep is a necessary requirement of any holiday and prefer instead to walk around zombified
• Forget that enough is never enough when it comes to practical jokes, droning 'enough already!' every few seconds - which to the joker, simply means 'carry on, I love being the target of your pranks'
• Forego breakfast and lunch in order to endulge in a nine-course 9pm evening meal
• Oh - and make sure the evening meal has at least one mushroom-based starter, freshly-caugh-Wight fish for all main courses, such as tuna and salmon, and no pudding.
• Alum Bay (coloured sands). At Yarmouth (A3054 via Yarmouth, B3401 and B3399 via Freshwater, A3055 via Freshwater Bay)
• Walk along the beach and cliffs to the needles
• The WW II fort built into the cliff (either on the east or west point of the island)
• The old ballistic missile testing range
• Blackgang Chine (incredible trippy theme park with gnomes and life size giants etc), 01983 730052, Blackgang Chine, Nr Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2HN, , Lat: 50:35:22N (50.5894), Lon: 1:18:49W (-1.3137)
• Cowes (if it's the right time of the year)
• if they are still there; the sea has been eroding the cliffs and making them fall into the sea
• Shanlin Chine - http://www.shanklinchine.co.uk/ - When you wander through the tranquil setting of this historic gorge, take time to just sit and look and listen. You are in a magic world of natural beauty, a rich haven of rare plants, woodland, wildlife and an enchanting waterfall. The story of the Chine encompasses subjects of interest to all age groups from geology to smuggling, shipwrecks to PLUTO and of course the wondrous scenery. 1000 hours to 2200 hours (illuminated after dusk). Seems like a really nice gorge thing. 12 Pomona Road, Shanklin, 01983 866432. Lat: 50:37:36N (50.6266), Lon: 1:10:48W (-1.1801) .
• Driftwood Bar and Grill - the only bar *on* the beach! 01983 404004
• Colonel Bogey's Nightclub in Culver Parade, Sandown - 01983 405320. Sat 27 May (Featuring the Artful Dodger - LIVE!!! The best in Soul, RnB, Hip Hop and Funky House PLUS All bottles £2 All Spirits £1), Sun 28 May (Jolly Sailor Party, The only way to finish your weekend, Fun, games and giveaways, Non-stop party through 'til 2am!, Drinks promotions ALL NIGHT!), Lat: 50:39:25N (50.657), Lon: 1:08:51W (-1.1476)

Other places to visit are:

• Cowes - Large town, you can get the ferry over from Southampton.
• Newport - Large town in the centre of island.
• Sandown - Typical seaside resort. Amusement arcades/crazy golf/pier/zoo etc. Plenty of B&Bs.
• Shanklin - Just down the coast from Sandown, again lots of B&Bs.

Nightclubs are mainly in the 'holiday' areas of Shanklin / Ventnor

Caroline's Ideas

Ahhh, relaxing.

• watch the sun set on the beach and swim in the sea at silly o clock
• go to 'Goodleaf Tree Climbing Adventures' and climb the trees
• look for crabs and other crustaceans in rock pools - laugh at them walking sideways
• sleep
• play breach games, like tag and bat and ball
• throw seaweed at people
• go to a country pub and drink the area's real ale
• play tricks involving the fart machine on random people
• forget that there's a point when enough is enough when it comes to playing tricks on people
• ruin the wiki :-p

And if there's time:

• water skiing
• visit Branston farm in Sandown - 01983 865540
• Robin Hill Country Park (Robin Hill offers something for everyone, whether it is the thrill of the Island's 3 biggest rides to the challenge of Squirrel Tower or the peace of the woodland walks where the Red Squirrels live. Set in 88 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside the park offers activities and attractions for all ages with space for the 'young at heart' to let off steam.) £7.50 entry, 01983 527352, just outside Newport, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, Downend, Nr Arreton, Isle of Wight PO30 2NU, Lat: 50:41:09N (50.6859), Lon: 1:14:48W (-1.2466)
• Horse Riding
• Butterfly Paragliding Ltd

Rebecca's Ideas

• 1. Crazy golf tournament
• 2. Beach football and volleyball and frisbee
• 3. Surfing +
• 4. Wakeboarding +
• 5. Sea kayaking +
• 6. Horse riding
• 7. Country walk or cycle with Bens picnic cookies lunch bens
• 8. Tennis - no yellow 'tennis outfits' allowed
• 9. The WW2 Fort and Blackgang Chine ++
• 10. Old fashioned country pubs
• 11. Funfair (or theme park if there is one, I'll believe it when I see it)
• 12. 2 pence machines at the amusement arcade
• 13. Day out at the public lending library

+ If weather conditions allow ++ If they have fallen into the sea - sounds funny!

Clubbing Ideas

Balcony “The South coast’s No 1 Night Club” - [<a href="http://www.balconyryde.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit the Balcony website</a>] The Pavilion The Esplanade Ryde Isle Of Wight PO33 2EL, 01983 617 070, Lat: 50:43:56N (50.7321), Lon: 1:09:23W (-1.1563) Location: Ryde Seafront, above LA Bowl Open: Thurs, Fri, Sat until 2am Feature nights: Thursdays – Classic dance sounds with the best of today’s House and Garage. Selected pints £1.50 and shots for £1 Fridays - Friday Fusion mixes smooth R’n’B with Pure Dance grooves. Fantastic drinks promos all night. Saturdays – The island’s biggest club night. Our resident DJs parade today’s best new music and look back on all your Favourite club tunes. Recommended nights: First Friday of the month is 70s night. Wear your retro gear for free entry and enjoy pints and shots for 70p. First Saturday is ‘free & easy’ – it’s what the Balcony is famous for. All draught, bottles and double shots £2 and free entry before 11pm. Always a belter ! Dress code: Thursdays:trainers and blue denim allowed. Fridays and Saturdays:smart denim allowed, no trainers. Colonel Bogey's "The Island's Number 1 Night-club" Location: Fort Street, Sandown Open: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays Feature nights: Retro Night on Tuesday nights - The best of the 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s. £1.50 a pint £1 a short - Free before 11pm, £1 after. Fridays - party nights (whatever the occasion) Saturdays - Bottle Barmy, ALL Bottles on promotion ALL night. With House, Garage, R+B, Chart or Cheese, the music choice is up to you. PLUS from 2am-3am nothing but the biggest and the best dance anthems around. Recommended nights: 80s night is always really busy, get there early to avoid disappointment - a really good night out. Fridays and Saturdays are also good, and slightly less busy for those who prefer it that way. Retro Night, well, it speaks for itself really! Dress code: Strictly no trainers. Smart/casual. <A HREF="http://www.bogeys.co.uk" TARGET="_blank">Visit the Colonel Bogey's website</A> Temptation "Can you resist temptation?" Location: St.James street, Newport Open: Wednesdays - Wednesday night workout Thursdays - Goth Night Fridays - The Big Cheese Saturdays - Sin on a Saturday Feature nights: Wednesday - house lager is only 50p a pint and Vodka at 80p a shot... Recommended nights: Already hailed has "One of the best nights on the Southcoast" by Ministry Magazine, Sin @ Temptation is nothing short of superb. Dress code: TBC. <A HREF="http://www.clubtemptation.co.uk" TARGET="_blank">Visit temptation web site</A> Woodyspoons Location: Newport Town Centre Open: every night, has a late license until 2am on Saturdays. Pretty crowded Fridays and Saturdays - one of the busiest clubs! <A HREF="http://www.woodyscafebar.com/" TARGET="_blank">Visit woody's cafe bar web site</A> Club K Location: Newport, 2 Orchard street Open: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Recommended nights: Thursday - £1 pint £1 shot. Yelf's Cellar Bar Location: Ryde, Union Street Open: Fridays and Saturdays Transport: Southern Vectis - the Isle of Wight bus company runs a nightclubber bus on Fridays and Saturdays which is £2.50 per person wherever you want to go (almost), in general much cheaper than getting a taxi, and far easier than walking.

On The Way Back

Zorbing

Argh! I can't get out!!

Zorbing is possible in theory, but we'd have to make an early start :-( ie. leaving at 9am! and also, it's a bit expensive -

• £35 for 1 person/ ride
• £55 for 2 people/ ride
• £65 for 3 people/ ride

But I'm up for it though. Again, we'd have to book this quite quickly.

-- Matt

Actually there is 2 for 1 on Zorbing at the moment Spring special so it's a bargainous 2 for £35! But we'd hav to do it on the way back because the offer excludes saturdays.

-- The Great Thumbholio

Zorbing is booked, I found a better deal - the half-term special- £30 for 2 people/ zorb. So I booked us all in for the hydro zorb at around 4pm, on Monday on the way back.

--Matt

Site address: Zorb South UK, Pine Lodge Farm, Bockhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QL

Tel. 01929 426595

Budget

 Don't forget that Becca paid for surfing!

Caroline's Spend!

Somefin' or nuffin'

Marc's Spend!

Item	Cost
Hotel	£336

Person	Owes Marc
Tom	£0 (£56 paid and received)
Matt	£56 - what I owe Matt (£38.50) + £9 that Matt owes Marc (dinner in Dorchester) = £26.50 (paid)
Caroline	£36 (£20 paid and received)
Lee	£0 (£60 paid and received)
Becca	£56 - £35 for surfing = £21

Matt's Spend!

Item	Cost
Zorbing	£92
Ferry	£139
=======
Total	£231

Person	Owes Matt
Tom	£38.50 - £1 which Matt owes Tom - £37.50 paid by online banking = £0
Caroline	£38.50 - £38.50 paid through Marc = £0
Lee	£38.50 - £10 = £28.50 (paid)
Becca	£38.50 (paid)