Stopped over at a shop called “Oasis” that stock Bali crafts (amoung other things), found myself a Dragon sculpture. I’ve alway been fasinated by them and in the Chinese Zodiac my birth year makes me a “Dragon”.

Wikipedia says this about people born in the year of the Dragon;

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Stopped over at “Cafe Verdi” at Fort Victoria to have a cheese omellete; sitting outside is nice with the coastal waters lapping up against the small beech, but every now and again a waft of sewage (I think) snaps me back to reality…

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Weather is overcast but dry, so I spent a lazy morning sitting on the balcony.

Todays first excursion is to Fort Victoria near Yarmouth. It has a number of attractions including;

• Underwater Archaeology
• Marine Aquarium
• Planetarium
• Model Railway

Out of the four "Attractions" – I use the term loosely I found the Aquarium the most enjoyable..

… seahorses – they are so regal

… thank heavens I found Nemo!

Well the weather is still dry; the beech is still being rocked by the sea and the moon is out to play…

The weather cleared up, and I decided to go for a drive to Sandown; I should really have a word with TomTom, the route it took me was very strange…

On route I spotted a sign post for the Steam Railway – and decided to make a detour. It was a bit late to take trip so I watched a couple of trains come and go…

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Still raining on/off, so I decided to make my way into Newport one of the larger towns on the IoW.

The journey was quite exciting, TomTom took me down a B road that lead directly into town. The road was full of exciting twists, turns dips and peaks. Winding my way through the heavy rain it seemed more like a theme park rider rather than a drive. Beetle held tight to the road taking every challenge in it’s stride with the 18" rims and performance tyres it felt like the car was on rails and with the rain collecting in the road it turned out more like a log flume with bow waves mounting Beetles curvaceous arches.

The town itself looks to be old; a lot of history can be found in between your common or garden stores.

I decided on a Chinese meal for lunch at "Hong Kong Express"… A set meal for a very reasonable £9.00

Had a peaceful night, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves breaking on the cobbled beaches.

Waking up however was a little different, apart from the shrill alarm call I could see through the window that it was in fact raining heavily.

The forecast was much the same for late into the day, I’m hoping it will improve but the seas are angry, beating their way up the beach with foaming madness…

Damn, forgot to bring my camera. The cliffs were stunning. The copper bronze cliffs bathed in the evening sun; kissed by the white crests as the sea lapped at beach and blessed by the blue sky.

The trip along the twisting roads was enjoyable as the as the charcoal serpent that was my guide cut it’s path through the green fields to Shanklin home of a number of quite surprising restaurants.

I turned on a steep bank and turned a corner to be greeted by a rainbow or colours; four huge kites played in the strong coastal winds trying to break their tethers from wake boarders below, pulling and denying the colourful spirits their freedom.

Each time I glanced to the hedge row, it was evident that nature although tender and nurturing during summer months was far less forgiving in the winter months; the heavily thorn-ed guardians that enforce the boundaries look old and tired, the strong northern winds stripped their green uniforms their stance not upright and proud but in a continuous fight with the winds, frozen in time with a significant lean to the north.

After browsing the various menus in the restaurant I decided to have a Salmon Tagalatelli bathing in a rose sauce at the Mad Cow II, only marred by a mouthy chef and shouts from the kitchen.

I’ve settled in and had a walk around the bay – sadly the shops were closing so I couldn’t indulge myself with an ice-cream…

my hotel in the background

arty shot for Rob. 

I’ve found what I can only describe as the hotels "quiet room", it has the ambience of a library where people don’t talk but whisper to each other. The views are fantastic, wide sweeping panaramic views through the large windows; the sound of the sea muted as you slip deeper into the huge leather seats.

Going to check the restaurant here at the hotel see the cost etc – I know there is a Chinese restaurant in one of the town on the west coast, just not quite sure where…

Will be adding to the photo’s here…

Arrived at the hotel about an hour ago – just settling in.. check out this view from the bed!!

Nice balcony so I can sit outside and chill – plus there is a local WIFI hotspot I’ve signed up to – I may not come back!!!