Slight mishap at Smallbrook Junction

 I think this was out of order. This was a proper holiday park with caravans and motorhomes, so you would NOT expect the bin men to arrive at 5.30am! Reversing their lorry with the loudspeaker blaring out warning everyone that they were backing up and then lifting the bin with glass bottles and dropping them into the hopper which of course made them all brake making an even louder noise, well we did not pay for that sort of intrusion! As you may have gathered, we were not best pleased! We could expect that wild camping, not on a paid site!

We had calmed down after the first cup of tea, and lay in bed, enjoying the warmth of MB. The heating had been left on overnight, not something we do when wild camping. It was on the lowest setting and only kicked in when the temperature dropped considerably. It was because we were on electric hookup, had paid for the privilege, so of course we would make use of it. The rest of the time we froze, and boy for the end of April it was still very cold! Today we had an icy wind to contend with and the temperature on the IOW didn't get any higher than 10 degrees. 

So today we made for Havenstreet and the IOW steam railway. We had booked first class tickets on the first train leaving at 10.04. Shown to our carriage by a very nice station attendant, we had it all to ourselves. 

The hour-long journey took us first to Wooten from Havenstreet, then back to Havenstreet, and continued onwards to Ashey (request stop) and finally Smallbrook junction before changing ends and doing it all again in reverse.

A mishap occurred at Smallbrook Junction involving a lady and her sunglasses. We were watching the coupling of the loco to the carriages when a shout from her made us look around. Having dropped her glasses, one of the lenses had popped out and dropped between the carriage and the platform. Being prescription glasses, she was at a loss at what to do. Ian came to her rescue by finding one of the platform staff, explained what had happened, and he rushed to the office to find the ' rubbish grabber.' Ever aware the loco was to leave imminently, he lay down on the platform and managed to grab the lens and return it to the lady. We were all then ushered post-haste back to the carriage, and seconds later the train left.
 

 

Included in the price of the train ticket, a bird of prey flight demonstration. The birds flown were an Asian Brown Wood Owl, Kestrel, Harris Hawk, Tawny owl and Black Kite

Kestrel

Asian Brown Wood Owl

Harris Hawk

Tawny Owl

Black Kite

 

There was a railway museum to visit as well as the carriage and loco sheds. I couldn't believe we had been there for over 4 hours. What a great day out, apart from the birds, everything was indoors so a good day to visit for anyone coming on a rainy day. 

Not 1 mile away was a fabulous forestry parking area. Red squirrels have been seen here, so once all the dog walkers leave later, I'm hoping that one will turn up!

This raven did though, It's one of the larger of the corvid family.

 

A smooth crossing.

 April 24th

Isle of Wight day! The crossing wasn't until 11.30am so had loads of time to kill this morning. By 10 am we decided to leave anyway, you never know an earlier ferry may have bee caught. And what a good job we did leave when we did, Gosh Portsmouth roads were confusing, a symbol of a diamond had to be followed for Wightlink ferry and when concentrating on the roads, very easy to miss. I was navigating, and I must pat myself on the back because I did get Ian to the right place.

First to arrive, we were told to take lane 13. Eek...did that bode well for the crossing. Lorry's and coaches soon joined us, and we found ourselves well and truly hemmed in. 11.00 am and the ferry arrived. By 11.15 all the vehicles coming into Portsmouth had disembarked and lane by lane we were called to board.We were the second vehicle to board.

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Ferry was called Victoria of Wight.

We sat in MB unsure if we were to leave, the ferry sailed at one minute earlier than the allotted time. Next thing we knew one of the crew came over and said we must leave the vehicle and head up to the deck. Rather sheepishly we complied, well it was such a short crossing we thought we had to stay in the vehicle!

 

Took the lift to the top deck and grabbed two seats right at the front to watch as Isle of Wight drew nearer. Destination Fishbourne. Within 40 minutes it was our turn to disembark, and although in first it was MB that was last to come off!

Arriving at Fishbourne

 

A couple of miles from Fishbourne was our first campsite. It had all facilities including a washing machine and boy did we need to do washing. Tomorrow we travel to Havenstreet to do the steam train., after that we are not sure, the island is small but appears to have plenty to see and do.

A noise from outside had Ian racing to the door. Looking up these two planes. "A Spitfire" said Ian "But not sure what the other one is. To modern so could it be filming the Spitfire?"

The home of Sir Winston Churchill

 April 23rd

 How could I have forgotten the church bells! Last time we were on this site, way back in 2022, not only did the bells disturb the peace, but planes buzzed overhead on the approach to Heathrow (or was it Gatwick?) As soon as the chiming of the hour started, we both realised this would be our wake-up call in the morning. And so it was, 6 am, and the first of the six chimes woke us. It did mean that whoever got up first put the heating back on, and of course, seeing as Ian is the controller of all things electric in MB, it was his duty to get up and make sure I was warm enough and to make the tea! It didn't mean we got away early, in fact it was a lazy start to the day seeing as we couldn't get into Chartwell House until after 10 am and as it was but 8 miles away, no need to rush.

So Chartwell House was the home of Sir Winston Churchill. I can't say I ever met him, even though at the time of my childhood, he was the MP for Wanstead and Woodford and Woodford Green was my home from 1961. I stayed in Woodford, living with my parents, until I got a house that went with the veterinary practice where I worked from 1971. I left in 1973 to marry Ian and head up to Leicester. On my way to school the statue was on route to the bus stop, so in a way, this visit made me reminisce about the good old days.

This taken from WiKi

Statue on then green by the high road in Woodford Green.

This taken from the Ilford Recorder with another photo (CLICK HERE) of after he died, the statue was adorned with wreaths from his constituents.

The day was a far cry from that of yesterday. Overcast with drizzle in the air and still very cold. Our time slot to see the house was at 11.10am, we arrived at the car park at 10 45. Hmm should have left earlier after all!  It was a bit of a dash from there, downhill first but then a climb that got the heart pumping and my breathing heavy, and there were steps! Groan...I am soooo out of condition! Anyway we made it with minutes to spare, another self-guided tour, suits us because we could take our time taking it all in. 

The first thing that greeted us was the beautiful cream carpet! Throughout the house, how unpractical was that, what with so many dirty shoes treading all over it! Anyway, all the rooms were beautifully presented and the guides in each room willing to chat without going OTT.

Gifts given to Churchill from far and wide.

Because time was tight (we had to get to Portsmouth Marina car park before all the motorhome slots were taken) it was a very quick look around the garden. Nowhere near as impressive as Hever Castle grounds, it was still nice though, and I know we missed quite a bit. We have vowed to return when we do Hever Castle again. Its that close by, it would be silly not to.

By 13.30 the route had been put into the sat nav and we were away. After a few delays on route, and a stop to get a refill gas cylinder, the Marina Keep car park was reached. Plenty of spaces, so we could have stayed longer at Chartwell after all. A short walk away was the marina, gosh there is some wealthy folk around. Lovely boats but I wouldn't change FS for one of those even if I was offered a million pounds!. 

Tomorrow we get the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Years and years have gone by since we were there last, so looking forward to seeing it all again after all this time.

A castle to remember

 It may have been quiet last night, but by 6 am the Monday rush hour had started! The dog walkers also arrived in droves, so maybe not the idyllic place we thought it to be yesterday. Once awake, we made for an early start, although I could have stayed snuggled under the covers for a while longer. It was cold last night. Only got away with not having a frost because the Beeb weather for this area mentioned 2 degrees. And a cold wash was on the cards too. No firing up of the water heater, Ian didn't think it worth it! Anyway, today we would head back to Hever Castle.

I must highly recommend this place, although it's not a cheap outing for non-Historic Houses members, I would have gladly paid the senior price of £20.30 because it was the most amazing place we have been to so far. 

Hever Castle is best known as the place Anne Boleyn resided before her marriage to Henry V111. Click HERE for the full history

The gardens were beautiful, laid out with immaculate stripped lawns and statues adorned each one. I took this excerpt from Hever Castle gardens

Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds at Hever Castle. Marvel at the Pompeiian Wall and classical statuary in the Italian Garden; admire the giant topiary chess set and inhale the fragrance of over 5,000 rose bushes in the quintessential English Rose Garden.

The Loggia, overlooking the 38-acre lake, is the perfect spot to relax before exploring the many cascades, grottoes and fountains. A stroll through the Tudor Garden, Blue Corner or Rhododendron Walk, provide colour and interest throughout the year.

Wander further afield and enjoy Sunday Walk and Church Gill Walk that follow the course of a stream through peaceful woodland or Anne Boleyn’s Walk, with its impressive collection of trees planted more than 100 years ago.

 The Castle opened its doors at 11.30 am, but to avoid the rush we had an early lunch. Mind you, the rush consisted of a coachload of pensioners and one group of year 2 primary school children, it was the latter that we wanted to avoid.

As an added bonus, (which we found out about on entering the impressive portcullis) was an opportunity to see Ann Boleyn's rooms for an extra £3 each. No contest really, we booked in and as we were ushered into the first room, the guide dropped the bombshell that no photography was allowed. There is to be a grand opening in June, the BBC are filming, and no spoiler alerts were allowed. Very understandable, I suppose.

With an excellent tour from the guide, it was back on track to see the rest of the castle. This time we could take photos....yippee.

It was a long day, I was very glad to get back to MB just to rest my legs. The grounds are extensive and so much we have missed we have vowed to return next year. If we time it to coincide with summer, most of the flowers will be in bloom. Then the gardens will really come into their own.

We stopped at a place called Stairs farm, Hartfield. We recognised it immediately as we drove in, having stayed here before back in 2022. It has electric hookup, goody we can keep the heating on tonight and with water on tap, I can have that long awaited shower.  

And wildlife today

Not seen a black bee before