Thursday 1st July

Hi
Hard to believe we have been away for three and a half months with only 3 days to go.
We have had a brilliant trip and I will be sorry when it ends but I am also looking forward to getting home and sorting everything out.

Monday :
I drove to Southampton to the Red Funnel Ferry Terminal in plenty of time, boarded the Ferry and took Murphy onto the top deck for the 55 minute trip to East Cowes Isle of Wight.
Lovely weather and great trip with calm water and plenty to see.
I drove around the east coast of the island to Ryde, Bembridge and Sandown reaching the campsite near Shanklin just as Simon and Noel arrived from a different direction. Elsie arrived half an hour later.
The pitch was on grass (which we prefer if it is dry ) large and flat with plenty of room for the camper, one car, 4 people, 1 dog and 2 tents.
The site was Ninham Country Holidays touring park Tel. 01983 864243 who very kindly allowed us to stay for half price so a big Thank You.
Sat around in the evening eating, drinking and talking until bedtime.

Tuesday :
Simon and Noel set off fairly early, when we were ready Elsie followed me in her car around the rest of the island.
We went to Ventnor, Niton and stopped at Blackgang Chine where we went around The Disappearing Village with a new exhibition based on the tv series " Coast".well worth the 4.50 entrance charge.
Took us about 2 hours to see everything then drove to the Needles lighthouse at Alum Bay where we met Simon and Noel who stopped for a cup of tea then off again as they still had a long ride to East Cowes where we all stopped for the night.
Wednesday :
I caught the Ferry at 11.00 to Southampton, Elsie caught hers to Portsmouth at 9.00 and Simon and Noel caught the 10.30 to Southampton.
We each went our own way, I went to Lymington, Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole before making my way to our next campsite at Herston near Swanage, had 2 large pitches on grass so I set up the camper, wound out the large awning, put out the table and chairs, put the kettle on and waited for the rest to arrive.
Great evening just chilling out in the evening sun.

Thursday :
After Breakfast we sat around reading then we all ( including Murphy ) walked to the train station and caught a Steam Train to Swanage where we spent about 4 hours looking around, had lunch and sampled the local Piddle Ale.
Did a shop then caught the Steam Train back to the campsite where we all collapsed in the heat and in no time we were all asleep.
We are now preparing the evening meal, they are having Curry and I am having hot smoked Salmon Ploughmans.

Hope to see as many as possible on Sunday 4th July in the afternoon at Alf Resco's
All for now
Phil