-- More adventures on the Isle of Wight in August --
On the Thursday, we decided to have another local "rest" day, this time without even taking our bikes.
We walked down the steep hill to Bonchurch.
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| Cuttings through rock: one for the street, one for the old footpath. |
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| The old footpath alongside the "new" church. |
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| The "new" St Boniface Church |
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| The "new" St Boniface Church |
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| The "new" St Boniface Church |
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| Turning for the "old" church |
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| Lovely old traditional stone walls |
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| Roofline |
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| Someone's fairytale castle |
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| "Winterbourne" |
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| Rear of the old church |
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| a sneaky peak into East Dene |
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| There's something about this church... something I love going back to... which has nothing to do with the fact it's a church... |
We carried on past the church down to Bonchurch beach.
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| We hardly know how to be beach bunnies. |
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| What a lovely spot for a holiday house. |
After trying out a few (in true Goldilocks fashion), we finally find a rock just right for stretching out on our backs in the sun, with our provisions in safe and easy reach.
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| the vantage point from "our" rock |
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| A swig of Diet Coke... and lashings of sun cream |
Back on dry land...
Community-maintained public toilets...
We strolled along Bonchurch's short promenade...
...before turning up a street leading up the hill away from the sea...
You don't see many of these any more...
...much less one this OLD... yes, that's E R VII (Edward VII, Queen Victoria's son, who was on the throne from January 1901 until his death in 1910).
Just one of many local "mansions" converted into holiday accommodations --
On Bonchurch Village Road, we paused to see what animals, birds or other creatures might be about in the pond.
Well, here's a fine fellow.
The heron was also surveying the pond... something must have caught his eye, as he flew down for a closer look.
And he soon grabbed a tasty snack.
At the other end of the pond...
... was a bale of terrapins (turtles)
The local "map" takes a great deal of artistic license but contains all sorts of interesting bits of information: famous people who have lived or stayed in Bonchurch, the oldest buildings, key 'achievements' of the local council...
We had lunch on the front terrace of The Pond Cafe.
And then continued our wander down the high street admiring the old houses and summer gardens, along with signs that this used to be a village thriving with small local businesses.
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| formerly a blacksmiths |
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| the old newspaper office |
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| an intriguing gap between two houses... |
From this point, the street turned steeply upwards towards home, lined on each side with the familiar stone walls.
Yet another day in a place we were beginning to really love.
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