A gentle, sunny and breezy 4 hour sail from 11:00 to 15:00 took us the 12 miles from Gosport to East Cowes. East Cowes is a sister marina to Haslar, and they have a ticket scheme, 6 nights and one night free (like McDonalds coffee tickets). The shipping lanes were busy and vigilance is a priority.
Info: £28 per night, excellent facilities with great hairdryers. There is a Waitrose and Co-op in East Cowes centre approx 15 minutes walk.
Watched Great British Bakeoff on proper telly, lovely.
21st August – Thursday
Up early to do the washing as a sunny day was forecast.
Then walked to Osborne House. I have wanted to visit here since we anchored in Osborne Bay, 14 years ago on my day skipper course. We have since been in other peoples boats so I have looked from a distance.
Osborne House was the summer residence of Queen Victoria and her family. It tells a sad story of a life un-fulfilled after the death of Albert, as they were so happy together before he died.
The house resembles a European Villa and is very different to the usual stately piles. It is bright and airy, although their taste in gaudy china leaves a lot to be desired. There is an excellent Indian exhibition in the Pavilion.
The beach is worth the walk, we sat with our butties in her beach-side folly and admired an uninterrupted view of the Solent, complete with bathing huts.
The Swiss Cottage was built for the children and now houses an eclectic collection of objet, presented from all over the world.
£15.30 is quite steep, but we thoroughly enjoyed it and the grounds are a treat to walk through on a sunny day.
We walked back to East Cowes and went on the chain ferry to Cowes centre.
Mick finally bought some new Deck Shoes, after his were ruined 6 weeks ago, but he insisted on wearing them. I got a scarf for £8 not the £16 they wanted in France. I don’t think I have mentioned how expensive clothes were in France, we have it quite lucky here.
22nd August – Friday
Walked to the Folly Inn (notable sailors pub) and had a pint then on to Island Harbour for a look at the marina. We were told not to miss St Mildred’s church en-route, but sadly it was shut.
We walked back on the road, enough said. Very tired.
I was wondering how often your positioning map updates - it's 08.32 UK time (Tues 26th) and the map shows you approaching a football stadium (St. Mary's) on the river Itchen near Southampton; is that right?
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