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Weekend Away to the Isle
of Wight |
North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale |
On Friday 19th November 2010, a group of eight CAMRA members set off on our second weekend away to the Isle of Wight. We were very lucky with the weather. The previous weekend was very wet and windy. The following weekend was cold with snow!. We made Shanklin our base.
On Friday evening we met as planned in King Harry’s Bar, Shanklin.
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Later we went on to the Chine Inn on Chine Hill. The pub dates from 1621, and always has a fine selection of Real Ales. On the following morning those without bus passes bought them. One advantage of going to the IOW this time of year is that there is less car traffic and far fewer tourists. Busses run to time, and are not crowded. Touring sat on the upper deck is a fine way to see the IOW countryside. |
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Saturday 20th November The day was centred around a visit by bus to Osborne House. From 10 am till 4 pm Osborne House presented “ A Victorian Christmas” We caught a No.3 bus from Shanklin to the bus station in Ryde. Then we caught a No.4 Bus to Osbourne House. |
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Many of the entertainers dressed up in Victorian costume and clearly took full advantage of the dry day. Queen Victoria (Very convincingly being portrayed by one of the staff) commented on our casual dress, much to our amusement. |
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Because the weather was fine, we decided to walk to East Cowes. We all met at The Ship & Castle, 21 Castle Street, PO32 6RB. The area was clearly subject to flooding – there were lines on the walls indicating how high the water got. |
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Another highlight was catching the Chain Ferry over to West Cowes Here the ferry is seen on the West side about to depart to us on the East. According to the local press, the ferry is under threat due to its age, so may sadly be replaced by more modern transport at some point in the future. We all found the trip across fascinating. We proceeded as planned to The Anchor Inn, 1 High Street, PO31 7SA. We decided to eat here. On the way back to Shanklin some of us had a beer in the The Castle Inn, 91 High Street, Newport. PO30 1BQ. |
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Sunday 21st November – Visit to Freshwater Some of us went to Freshwater by bus. Others went by car, as they were catching a ferry back home later. This part of the Island was very quiet at this time of the year. We all met as planned in the Prince of Wales, Princes Road, Freshwater, PO40 9ED. A fine pub having 5 Real Ales on offer. Most of us had Yates Brewery Undercliffe. Then those with cars drove us to The Fat Cat on Coastguard Lane, Freshwater Bay. (Sandpipers Hotel). This was quite a lively place, catering for all age groups. Most of us then went by car to Yarmouth, as some were getting the ferry back from there. Those returning to Shanklin had a beer in the Wheatsheaf before getting the bus back to Shanklin via Newport. Another enjoyable weekend away came to an end. |
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Report and Photos by Event Organiser, Peter Rowe |
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