ISLE OF WIGHT

Back from Vienna courtesy of British Airways who had excelled themselves in the catering department. On the flight over to Vienna we were given "supper" which consisted of two white bread cheese and pickle sandwiches. On the flight from Vienna to Heathrow we were given afternoon tea - Yep - two white bread cheese and pickle sandwiches. Wowee.Took the ferry from Southampton to East Cowes - a trip of just under an hour and calm as a millpond. Drove down to Freshwater Bay where we found the Hotel Albion perched on the sea front and our room leading onto a walkway on the seafront - very comfortable with magnificent views. The Island is not very large of course, and we visited every area. Osborne House at Cowes was built in the 19th century by Albert the consort to Queen Victoria. He must have been a remarkable man because the substantial house had central heating and insulation incorporated in it's construction.It was used by the royal family as a Summer residence - Queen Victoria had 9 children and the place had the feel of a family home (albeit very substantial) Albert died when he was 45 and the Queen went into mourning and dressed in black from that day until her death some forty years later when she instructed that she be buried in a white funeral to appear as a bride for her re-union with Albert.We also visited Carisbrook Castle a 12th century construction high on a hill (aren't all castles?) and used originally for the defence of the island. Later it was famed for housing the imprisonment of Charles 1st who was taken from there to London to have his head chopped off.The Hotel Albion gave an impression of Faulty Towers in its layout (but much more efficient) and most of the guests were elderly and genteel! We played scrabble in the lounge while waiting fofr the dinner gong. The weather was great - although one morning was minus 4 degrees and it took some time to de-ice the car! On the morning that we were leaving, we woke to hear the waves crashing on the walkway, and heard spray splashing heavily on the windows -so we were pleased that we were going.
# posted by len james @ 1:10 AM
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