A visit to The Isle of Wight back in the summer

Back in the summer of 2010 we spent an enjoyable day on the Isle of Wight, although it is only about 20 miles from where we live it feels like more. A nice ferry trip across the Solent for 20 minutes and it feels like your miles away. We travelled over to the island to go to the Isle of Wight Steam Rally but while we where there we visited a couple of other places and had a great day out.
Jump to The Spinnaker Tower Jump to Looking back towards the docks Jump to Haslar Marina Jump to The Solent Jump to The day trippers Jump to Jess Jump to Clarence Pier, Southsea Jump to Southsea common Jump to More kites and the promenade Jump to The sea and the Forts Jump to Spitbank Fort (I think) Jump to The Isle of Wight Jump to Cutting through the water Jump to On the car deck on the ferry Jump to Carisbrooke Castle Jump to More of the castle Jump to Walking around the battlemounts Jump to The castle in the sun Jump to Looking over to Carisbrooke village Jump to I can see for miles Jump to The Needles in the mist Jump to What was Black Gang Chine
The Spinnaker Tower

The Spinnaker Tower

The Spinnaker Tower stands on the edge of Portsmonth Harbour at Gun Wharf, it stands some 170 metres tall which is taller than The London Eye and Blackpool Tower. Once at the top you can get some fantastic 360 degree views across the harbour and out to The Isle of Wight.

Looking back towards the docks

Looking back towards the docks

Haslar Marina

Haslar Marina

Haslar Marina is on the Gosport side of the harbour.
The Solent

The Solent

Here I am looking out over the Solent from the front of the ferry and another ferry is coming into Portsmouth, the trip on the ferry over to The Isle of Wight only takes about 20 minutes.
The day trippers

The day trippers

All the family and Jess the dog enjoying their trip on the ferry.
Jess

Jess

This was the first time on a ferry for Jess but as usual she took it all in the stride...
Clarence Pier, Southsea

Clarence Pier, Southsea

Looking back towards Southsea seafront and here you can see Clarence Pier, the original pier was built here in 1861. The pier was bombed on June 1st 1941 and eventually reopened on June 1st 1961 some 20 years later.
Southsea common

Southsea common

They have a kite show on Southsea Common every year and here you can see some of the kites on display.

More kites and the promenade

More kites and the promenade

The sea and the Forts

The sea and the Forts

In the middle of the solent are 4 forts which were built to protect Portsmouth and its habour from invasion. The forts are called Horse Sands, No Mans Land and St Helens these three were built between 1865 and 1880, the forth is called Spitbank and work started here 2 years later.
Spitbank Fort (I think)

Spitbank Fort (I think)

In the 1960's all the fort were put up for sale and it took till the 80's for them to sale 3, the fourth fort was taken off the market and is still in the hands of the Ministry of Defence. The one in the photo was sold and made into a museum, it is reported that in 2009 it was sold again.

The Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight

Here we are still on the ferry and looking towards Ryde.

Cutting through the water

Cutting through the water

On the car deck on the ferry

On the car deck on the ferry

On the August bank holiday they have a scooter rally on the island and as you can see here they get plenty of scooter boys and girls.
Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle

Although me and the family had visited the Isle of Wight many times, as we only live in Hampshire, we had never been to the castle. It made a good afternoon out and we enjoyed it, they have a demonstration in the well house which is a must as the large woodon wheel is turned by a donkey walking round inside the wheel. Sadly I have no picture as it was so busy.
More of the castle

More of the castle

Walking around the battlemounts

Walking around the battlemounts

As we walk around the battlements, which you can walk the whole way round here, we look over and there was a concect going on, later in the evening Madness were going to be playing.
The castle in the sun

The castle in the sun

Looking over to Carisbrooke village

Looking over to Carisbrooke village

I can see for miles

I can see for miles

This is taken from the battlements at the castle and here you can see the Spinnaker Tower back in Portsmonth.

The Needles in the mist

The Needles in the mist

What was Black Gang Chine

What was Black Gang Chine

This piece of land use to be part of the park Black Gang Chine but over the years it is slowly falling into the sea. As a child I spent many happy holidays on the Isle of Wight with my parents and brother, we use to have a fab time.