Isle of Wight Holiday - The Needles (Day 4)

Back to the series of posts about our cycling holiday -

On the Tuesday (27 August to clarify - a lifetime ago now!), we put the bikes away and set off in Liam's car to see the famous Needles at the far western tip of the Isle.

Thatched house - not at all unusual on the Isle of Wight

The moment we arrived, we got straight onto the chairlift down to the seashore.

At first, you're swinging gently through treetops and it's all very peaceful.

I check to make sure my feet are still attached.

The sea comes into view.

Hmmm. First intimation that we may be just
about to drop off the edge of the world.

Gulp.

Wow.

Yikes.

Oh. My. God.

At least somebody's enjoying it!

Off the chairlift and, as quick as you can, onto the water.
Did you know that sandstone can come in so many colours?

Arguably 18 colours. No, 23. No, 32.
Ah heck, who's counting?

There's the chairlift, its launching/landing pad,
and the dock for getting a sightseeing boat like the one we're on.

Lighthouse on top of the western-most chunk of rock,
at the end of The Needles.

The Needles

Through a gap in The Needles, you can see St. Catherine's Lighthouse.
(That black spot is not it - it's a boat.)

The Needles.

Back on terra firma. Soaking up the sun and skipping rocks.

And of course shoes must come off.

After our tour of Alum Bay on a boat and relaxing on the shore, we returned to the top of the cliffs, as Amiiee was keen for a game of mini crazy golf.

The only non-fast-food joint in the "theme park" had a buffet of sorts. Food was a bit plasticky but edible.

We visited the glass studio/shop. I was tempted by the various cats but in the end didn't buy anything.

Sitting cats.

Sleeping cats - a la Flora.

piglet

The Back of The Wight.

I snatched a blurry shot of St Catherine's Oratory,
one of the very first lighthouses in Europe.
Now affectionately referred to as the Niton Pepperpot.
(Shame about the telecoms mast!)

We stopped in Ventnor to buy groceries and were struck by the tiles in the car park.

A few rather funky buildings in Ventnor.

"Free Bicycle Parking"
(Isn't it always?!)
Yet sadly unused.

Suitably stocked up with lovely food and a fair amount of alcohol, we went home where we had dinner. (And I inspected my bruises.)