Farmland, downland, churches, monuments and coastal path

[ladyofastolat]

I had a day off yesterday, and headed off to south Wight for a lengthy adventure through varied terrain.

Comments

[learnsslowly]

I admire your fortitude in resisting the second hand book sale. How unkind we are (as a species I mean, not you personally) to future archaeologists sometimes.
When my uncle was compelled to dispose of his collection of geology specimens(by my aunt who didn't relish the thought of sleeping in a tent in her own garden while the rocks occupied her own home)he dug a large trench in the garden and tipped them all in. It may well exercise a few minds if dug up a few centuries hence.

[ladyofastolat]

My fortitude in the face of second-hand books was considerably boosted by the knowledge that if I bought anything, I would have to carry it for 22 miles. Or go back to the car, which was all of about 300 yards away, and drop them off. But that would have involved retracing my steps, and I have a strong, irrational hatred of doing this that I really would carry a book for 22 miles rather than turn back.

[leesa_perrie]

Love the photos again! Though sad to hear there were no hairy pigs anymore!!

Here is a view taken through a gap, because that's what gaps are there for.

As a seasoned gap-photograph-taker, I totally concur with this! :)

As I descended, I got a text from Vodafone telling me that I was no longer in the UK, but roaming. Ventnor DOES have a repution for being different, but another country...?

LOL! I wonder where Vodafone thought you were? France? Narnia? Entering into Mordor?

The whole island was arrayed beneath me!

LOL, groan!! Good one... I think! :D

Hope your legs stop sulking about those contours soon!

[ladyofastolat]

Vodafone might have thought I was in France. When driving down into Ventnor, I've sometimes found that a local radio frequency will suddenly start picking up French radio. Or possibly it thought I was descending so fast that I must surely have plunged into a lost kingdom under the sea.

[lindahoyland]

Thank you for sharing these beautiful scenes.

[ladyofastolat]

Glad you liked them! It was a shame it was so hazy, but it was still nice to get out in the sunshine. We're back in winter now, it seems, but it was a nice glimpse of spring.

[heleninwales]

I have been to the Isle of Wight once, many many years ago. It was just for the day and I honestly can't remember anything about it, but your photos make me want to visit.

[ladyofastolat]

Large parts of it are indeed very pretty. It's absolutely teeming with (usually) well-marked footpaths, so it's great for walking - as long as you don't want lakes or mountains. Rolling downs and crumbling cliffs is what we offer round here.

[bunn]

Surely "The Pepperpot" is in fact a fossilised space-rocket? It looks like one!

That font is brilliant. It looks like it's expecting to be filled with trifle.

[ladyofastolat]

I do half-expect to one day find that the Pepperpot is no longer there, having blasted off into space when the aliens who landed there in the 14th century have finally finished their long-term subterranean project, and return home.

Bonchurch has a newer, larger church a little higher up the slope, which is used for most modern day services, with the teeny old church only used on summer evenings. I didn't visit the larger church, but I'm now wondering what they use for their font. A large mixing bowl?

[songblaze]

I was going to comment on the oddity of sticking a modern crystal punch bowl in a historic (I assume) stone font. Perhaps it has sprung a leak?

[songblaze]

In which case, I suppose it is doubly blessed. Being both holy and holey.