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Surbiton Probus Club

Report of the SPRING WEEKEND 2010

ISLE OF WIGHT 14th – 17th MAY 2010

 

Friday dawned bright and clear, the coach arrived very early as did most of the thirty nine participants for our much awaited weekend trip to the Isle of Wight. Tim was our driver again, having also previously taken us to Sherborne and Carmarthen, this time he was accompanied by his wife Anita whom we made very welcome.

 

We set off promptly at 9am heading for Portsmouth to catch the ferry to Fishbourne. The journey was uneventful and we managed to catch an earlier boat than scheduled so that we gained an hour on the island.

 

Our lunch stop was at Carisbrooke Castle where we toured the museum, saw the donkey tread the wheel to raise the bucket from the well and the more fit walked the battlements. Next onto Godshill and the model village, a wonderful place and well worth a visit, as is Godshill itself although a little touristy but we were tourists!

 
 

Carisbrooke Castle

The booked hotel had been changed at the last minute to The Shanklin Hotel which proved a winner. On arrival we were greeted with tea or coffee and the whole organisation was very slick. Many of us had sea view rooms and the whole stay was excellent.

 

On Saturday we toured the island visiting the Botanical Gardens at Ventnor, the Needles, Yarmouth etc. Surprising how quickly the time went.

 

On Sunday our visit to Osborne House was delayed slightly by another coach blocking us in at the hotel, It refused to start until someone found a ‘Re-Set’ button! There is such a lot to see and admire at Osborne House, a wonderful experience. Afterwards it was on to Havenstreet and a trip on the steam railway.


 

Osborne House

Monday bags packed and ready for the off, how quickly a weekend passes. We haven’t quite finished yet, Newport for retail therapy and Rosemary’s Vineyard, a spot of lunch, wine tasting and off to the ferry. We again caught an early boat and arrived back at Tolworth in good time.

 

The weather was pretty good during our trip, just a few spots of rain on Sunday. As the organiser I thought everything went very well and I think everyone enjoyed it, at least I hope so.

Alan Neale


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