To the aisle of Wight. Was reminded of our Australia days when the Easter long weekend was the busiest of the holidays. True to style, a busy holiday weekend it was here too, as lots of traffic in the roads, and compounded by the rain, we would have almost missed our Wightlink Ferry Victoria, across to Fishbourne from Portsmouth.
Our cottage is on the grounds of a large Equestrian Center. We’re staying in the Red Rum. Very spacious and two Masters upstairs. Spacious kitchen for UK cottage standards, but then the bedrooms and bathrooms are huge too. So is the downstairs living area.
They have a restaurant on site, but was closed today due to an event. It seems Martin Kent the old singer was playing today. Asked if they would be open tomorrow, and nope- not until Thursday next week.
Nice little island. Constant English drizzle so we walked around downtown Newport in the rain. Made reservations for dinner at The Woodman’s Arms. Was okay, not exceptional. But pretty decent.
It’s raining for the next two days as well, so let’s see what we end up doing.
While driving over, as I saw the yellow fields of rapeseed spread down like a bright yellow carpet, stretching to the horizon. Love that there’s so, so, so much farmland here, everywhere.
The other beautiful sight that gladdened my heart was the signs of Spring in the trees. The barrenness and the starkness of the trees is now replaced by the tender green shoots that spring between the limbs looking like a fine lace pattern, as the canopy has not yet formed. But the outlines of the trees against the sky, the perfect arch of their tops, gives it the impression that they are waking up to life, just at the cusp of youth. Getting ready for the vagaries of summer. It’s the productive time of year. The fruit trees are also blossoming, mainly apple and pear and probably a few others. The flowers are already boasting a rich harvest on the fruit trees. The pink and white blossoms. Are they excited to host the birds? Provide shelter, shade and food. The last time I had seen them starkly naked, and in my mind’s eye, shivering in the cold. I remember wanting to put a blanket on them. Today they were like pubescent teenagers. At the threshold of what will be the peak of their youth. Like new mothers with bosoms heavy with sustenance for the child they must nurse and feed. The trees feed us too.
Can’t complain, God is good and kind to me, to us.
Butternut squash pie which I ate on the ferry, was excellent. The Woodland’s Arms was okay too. It’s nice to take a break and see a different part of the country. Though I had visited Portsmouth in 1977!
Well past my bedtime and sleep beckons, may I sleep well and have sweet dreams.
Veenu Banga
April 18 2025
11:56 pm
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