Muddy Marge

East Cowes

The wind is still blowing a gale, as it was when we left home on Monday, and it is showing no signs of relenting. Today (Saturday), the rain has returned. So on this note, we have decided once we arrive back on the mainland this afternoon we will head off home, rather than stay away another night.

Yesterday we took a drive to the south east of the island to Sandown. A friend of mine (Angela's), works at Dinosaur Isle on the seafront. She moved to the island many years ago, and not having seen each other for around 25 years, you can imagine the suprise of my friend Sue when I walked in. Even though we always exchange birthday and Christmas cards, it was good to catch up on each other's news, and that of other old friends. Sue and I have known each other for nearly fifty years, we were at secondary school together, and I was a bridesmaid at her wedding, nearly forty years ago now. Where have the years gone? On our departure, we said we mustn't leave it so long to meet up again.

From Sandown, we journeyed north, stopping on the esplanade at Ryde. Despite the ferocity of the wind,the hovercraft service to Portsmouth was running, just a ten minute journey to the mainland. 

Our overnight stop last night, was at The Folly Inn, East Cowes, right beside the river Medina. A friendly pub, the bar maid born in Aylesbury, just down the road from where we live.

Seduced by the offer of fish and chips, and live music later in the pub, we abandoned our planned meal of chorizo with butter beans, to enjoy yet another drink. After yet another stressful day, driving on the islands narrow roads, we decided it was time to relax and enjoy a good night out.