Full Teapot: Isle of Wight

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Isle of Wight

The boys and I flew to England for 5 weeks before Christmas.

Liz was home for a few days when we arrived, and it was lovely to see her.

Our boys were sick when we arrived, and poor Liz got to play nurse... again.

Tennyson Down.

We can see Dad's grave from the cross, and it's a place we can feel the ocean wind and space and breathe deep.

Our days were a mix of home-school, family time, and local adventures. Our world is wonderfully small there, and we only went in the car a couple of times. Biking is easy, distances short, and the walking so accessible. Especially after our 5 months there with dad, the Isle of Wight feels like another home for the boys, and we fairly easily slipped back into familiar routines, places and activities. The boys are also old enough now for more freedom, and they love biking on their own, joining back into sports clubs, and connecting with their friends working on the ferry. I loved being back in England, and appreciated so much that I miss.

Waving goodbye to Liz on the ferry

Our daily bike commute to Freshwater is along an old railway line. Great biking, and super birding. Our highlights were greenshank, long-tailed tits, and a barn owl on one evening bike back from football club.

Boogie boarding for the boys, and hours spent watching super skilled surfers in their element

Leif horse-riding

I love the wonderful sea energy, sound of the surf, and the great culture of ocean swimming

Crab fishing from the pier

We took the ferry to the mainland to do a hiking trip with Alice on the South West Coastal trail.

It was a wonderful holiday, full of laughter, fossils, sunlight, hard rain, fish and chips, ice-cream, and the making of lots of memories

Loved the fishing boats at Weymouth

A very very wet and tired Leif

We had some epic ups and down in driving rain

Happy walkers?

An adventure playground and the "shepherds hut" we stayed in en route

Alice and I met on a seabird island 33 years ago, and one of the very few people I would do a solo walking trip with the boys with--we love you!

Thank you for bringing more laughter back into our life xoxo

Sunshine, empty beaches and fossils

We ended at Weymouth

After about 40 miles and a lot of rain... Peter earned a big English Breakfast. Happy Peter.

We met up with the cousins on the beach at the end of the hike.

Wonderful to see everyone xo

Leif rejoined badminton club with Tony, the amazing coach.

Peter also did football club and climbing at the Sport Center.

Most days were defined by windy walks! Are you seeing a theme here?

Watching the glass making, an annual visit that never looses appeal, and it's a wonderfully warm place to hang out in after a windy cold walk! Peter especially could spend hours watching the skill involved.