The Weekend

There is a full programme of racing on the Saturday for the Powerboat P1 Aqua X and Superstock classes from 1pm till 5pm with the start at Egypt Point. This season AquaX UK will be contested by riders in three new classes whilst Promoter Powerboat P1 has added an all-new AquaX UK Cup in response to massive interest from potential new riders. All five races are being staged alongside the P1 SuperStock national powerboat championship in a combined event under the title ‘Grand Prix of the Sea’.

Then on Sunday the UIM Marathon World Cup Cowes – Torquay – Cowes starts at 10am followed by the Cowes – Poole – Cowes Race at 10.30am. Both races start from a point near to the Needles, so the best place to view them is from the top of the Warren that runs from Totland to Alum Bay. For those with less mobility the beach at Totland will also be a good vantage point.

Laurels and Champagne for the winners of the Cowes – Torquay – Cowes race will be held from 7.30pm to 9pm at The Royal Yacht Squadron.

History of the Race

It was back in 1961 at a party on his boat Drumbeat that Sir Max Aitkin decided to start the powerboat race. Ray Hunt, the designer of Drumbeat, pointed out that on the previous day it had been the Bertram boat, designed by him, that had won the Nassau-Miami powerboat race.

Not to be outdone by the Americans Sir Max Aitkin said, “Let’s have a race between my house (The Prospect in Cowes) and somewhere in the West, say Torquay,” and the race was born.

There were between 30 and 40 entries in the first race with celebrities of the day like Billy Butlin and sports car drivers racing.

“The race became the leading race in Europe, if not the world and internationals say you haven’t really achieved anything unless you’ve competed and finished the Cowes-Torquay,” said power boat racing expert, Ray Bulman.

“In 1968 when the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) introduced the World Offshore Championships they required races of 150 miles to qualify so it became Cowes-Torquay-Cowes,” added Ray.

“In the early days it was called the Daily Express Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Race and then became the Embassy Express in 1972, but after the 1978 race both sponsors pulled out when the Daily Express was sold.

“Tim Powell took it over in 1979 and ran it single handedly until around three years ago when John Moore took over, although Tim is still very much involved. The British Powerboat Racing Club was formed in Cowes five years ago to run the social side of the race and the race itself.

“The race is now limited to mono hulls. The first catamaran appeared in 1977 but it altered the race overnight, because they were very expensive and, of course, they couldn’t handle the weather and the race kept having to be cancelled,” said Ray. “They changed the race to mono hulls only about five years ago.”

You just ring Jane and Eric Harris at Windstalker to book a lesson and they’ll tell you where to be and meet you there with all the kit. The beauty of the Island is that there is always somewhere you can kitesurf as we have a beach for practically every wind direction.

Favourable wind to kitesurf is cross onshore/side shore, so it’s Compton or Brook for the south westerly winds, Colwell or Totland for the north westerlies, Ryde for any north winds or Yaverland for any southerly winds. But Windstalker tend to teach at Yaverland, Ryde, Thorness Bay and Bembridge because the beaches are easily accessible, safer and the water is flat and shallow.

Lessons can be one to one or in a group and the only stipulation is that you have to weigh at least 45 kilos to have a go. Equipment is matched to your weight and ability – larger kites for lighter winds but relatively smaller kites for higher winds.

Eric Harris started off as a land-boarder and then took up kitesurfing around nine years ago and is now a very experienced teacher of both sports. He’s especially good with more advanced students, teaching tricks and different moves in serious one to one sessions, but equally good with new students.

Jane has been kite surfing for over three years and great with newcomers. “Women and youngsters can feel more comfortable with me,” explained Jane. “We hope to cater for everyone out there.” Other experienced instructors join the team during the busy summer months. There is, of course, always a safety boat on the water with the students and you wear helmets and float vests while you are kitesurfing. “Safety is absolutely paramount for us,” added Jane.

Windstalkers are now based at Tideways, Bluett Avenue, Seaview, PO34 5HE and their phone number has changed to 01983 613358. Once you’ve got the bug you can pop over to their premises at Seaview and buy your own kit or buy from their online store

through manager Alex Norville – you’ll probably want to after you’ve completed the course. Windstalker are Cabrinha stockists and a Cabrinha registered school and they can do all kite repairs too. Windstalker can also store your equipment for you if you’re and Island visitor and can bring it to the beach for you when you come down, which is really handy.

The beauty of kite surfing, apart from the thrill of flying through the air as you leap from the waves, is that the kit is completely portable. You don’t even need a car: the kite packs into its own backpack and you can carry the relatively small board under your arm.

Kite surfing is to be included in the 2016 Olympics in Rio and currently Windstalker are liaising with a couple of south coast clubs to arrange course racing in the Solent, so if you get really proficient the sky’s the limit!

Celebrities love it. Some say it’s the latest Hollywood exercise. Just to name drop then, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson Cindy Crawford do it; even Pierce Brosnan and Lewis Hamilton have dabbled in the world’s fastest growing water sport.

SUP or Stand-up Paddle-boarding is quite literally just standing on an oversized surfboard and powering through open water, similar to stand-up canoeing (if you’ve ever tried that) but with only one paddle. Converts say that just 30 minutes will work your body much harder than several hours of surfing. Cool, eh? But you don’t to be an A-list celebrity or an athlete to do it. The joy about SUP is that you can learn quickly and develop skills progressively. So virtually anyone can have a go.

The man who is helping to bring the increasingly popular sport to the Island is Ben Donald, who  launched his company, Pedal n Paddle last summer. Island born and Gurnard based, Ben,  a self-confessed water boy, has notched up time in Greece, Australia and Egypt teaching wind surfing. “ I started stand-up paddle boarding for fun in Australia five years ago, whenever there was no wind. I loved it so much I started to teach it because it’s such an accessible and versatile board sport,” explains Ben.

Stand up paddle boarding or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he’e nalu, is the fastest growing board sport in the world. What’s more you don’t have to be a surf dude to learn how to master it. SUP is a water sport for all ages and ability.  Under the expert guidance of resident teacher Ben Donald he teaches two-hour lessons to individuals, groups or families at a location of your choosing from Gurnard to Shanklin, Newtown, Colwell and Totland to the River Yar. “The Island lends itself very well to many different locations – you can surf on the boards or paddle on flat water. And it’s great for keeping up your fitness if you are a surfer or anyone wanting to keep fit while enjoying the water, so SUP has masses of appeal,” says Ben. “ It might be a craze now, but it’s a fashion that is here to stay.”

SUP might be the ‘Big New Thing’ here but it dates back to the Fifties, when Hawaiian beach boys stood on their long boards while teaching tourists to surf. It was introduced to California ten years ago where it initially became popular with surfers, who used it to paddle out to find the best waves. American surfers have since adopted SUP as an alternative offshoot of the real thing, as well as a core fitness activity. Not surprisingly there are now international competitions. “I’d love to see that happen here on the Isle of Wight,” muses Ben. “It would be great to organise some competitions on the Island as the sport really catches on.” So watch this space.

There are two divisions of the sport: beginners and those doing fitness training, who tend to ride small waves on big wide boards measuring 12ft by 31 inches; smaller boards – between 8ft and 10ft long – are suitable for bigger waves. Ben uses ingenious inflatable boards, which you can also buy or rent directly from him. “It’s an exciting product,’ he enthuses. “They roll-up and pack down small, so they are totally portable and you can transport them around without too much hassle. They are totally soft to land on and are completely indestructible!”  He boastfully adds he can pump up six boards in twenty minutes – a nice workout in itself.

The health benefits are plentiful. Experts say the combination of balancing and paddling is excellent for building core-body strength and improving arm and leg muscles. It’s also great for improving your fast-twitch muscles (crucial for balance and reaction time). As you indulge in an amazing workout you can sightsee simultaneously, taking in the magical delights of what the Isle of Wight has to offer on top of a gliding paddle. Better still, the more you progress, so does your SUP fitness. The safety issue behind the sport is simple too.  “Stay away from off-shore winds or strong winds and be aware of the tides – stick to areas of low or hide tide,” explains Ben.  “All beginners are provided with a buoyancy aid to start off with – and a wetsuit is advisable.”

Stand-up paddle boarding may be new to Britain, but as with all crazes, the Americans are now championing Paddleboard Yoga. Yes that’s right. Headstands, stretches, leg lifts, twirls, you name it. Hoe he’e nalu!

Posh It – The George

Luxurious in the style of a bygone age, yet with every modern convenience, the George is in the centre of Yarmouth and has just 17 rooms. Walk into the lobby with its worn flagstones and you could be in a Jane Austin novel. Much of the hotel has warm wooden panelling, there are open fires in the colder months and there’s a great restaurant overlooking the garden, the town’s wooden pier and sea.

Take the Family – West Bay

Recently refurbished in a New England style, all the cottages at West Bay have open plan living areas with television and CD/DVD players, family bathrooms, fully fitted kitchens and a private outside decking area or garden. As a guest you will have free access to all facilities that include a 20m heated indoor pool, three Astro-turf tennis courts, three squash and badminton courts, an aerobics studio specialising in Yoga and Pilates and an ESPA Spa that includes both a sauna and steam room.

Glamp It – Tom’s Eco Lodges

New this year is Tom’s Eco Lodge: five luxurious safari tents, nestled in the woodlands of Tapnell Farm - the setting for the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. With panoramic views of the sea to the north and west, each safari style lodge sleeps up to six and has a range style wood burning stove, flushing toilet and even a hot shower. Fuelled predominately by solar power and wood, with a small supply of gas for the hot shower, the lodges have lovely wooden floors and canvas ‘walls’ between the rooms. Inside there is an eclectic mix of furniture and fittings to give a retro vintage atmosphere and outside are cool canvas covered verandas with rustic fencing.

B&B – Weston Manor

Weston Manor is a B&B with a great pedigree. The Grade 2 listed manor was built in 1871 by William George Ward and his wife Francis Mary Ward and Sir Alfred Lord Tennyson, the famous poet, was a close friend and neighbour and would have visited the house. From its lofty point on Moon’s Hill the manor commands extensive views of inland West Wight and beyond to the Solent. One of the more unique aspects of the manor is the private chapel that was built for the family, which is now listed as a heritage site by the National Trust. Decorated in the medieval style of A.W.Pugin, it is the only example of its kind in England.

Rough It – YHA Totland

You’ll be in typical youth hostel accommodation with shared rooms and bunk beds at Totland Youth Hostel on Hurst Hill with up to 50 beds. Prices in May are from £17 per person but you can book a whole room for slightly more – they range from two (bunk) beds to eight if you’re thinking of bringing the family. Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals are available, with prices like£5 for breakfast, the same for a picnic/packed lunch and £6 for a two course evening meal, or you can opt for self-catering.  The hostel is based around a rather imposing Victorian building that has some great views across the Solent from the first floor, a TV lounge and a quiet lounge and two dining rooms and self catering kitchen. In the garden there’s a BBQ area and very useful big cycle shed in the car park.

The upcoming list is not arranged in order of importance, I tried to do a sort of loop beginning at the roundabout at the top of The Avenue. It’s not a 100% comprehensive list but I think I’ve got most of the day-to-day stuff that’s available. I’ve also included places to eat and shop, but not where to stay in Totland (bar the YHA and Camping) as that list would be exhaustive. Enjoy.

1. Enter Totland
As you come from Freshwater or Yarmouth/Colwell you’ll hit Totland at the roundabout here.

2. Totland Recreation Ground
Also known in these parts as ‘The Rec’ – plus it’s the home of Totland Bay Bowling Club

3. Chinese Takeaway
Take it away.

4. Local Shop
For all your grocery needs.

5. Hairdressers
For a haircut on holiday?

6. Free Parking
Small car park, also recycling here.

7. The Chemist
Need some drugs, try here.

8. Totland’s other Local Shop
Small grocery shopping, also sells some beach gear.

9. The Broadway
It’s a Pub that doubles as a Post Office of course!

10. Fish ‘n’ Chips
Why not take your food to the beach (a five minute walk from here).

11. Open Top Bus
Take the sightseeing bus from here. Also regular buses leave from here to the rest of the Island.

12. Totland Roundabout
Choose your direction – to the beach, to the Needles or back home..

13. Broadway Garage
For fuel, or if you get mechanical problems with your vehicle.

14. Sledging spot
If you’re here when it snows. I sledged here in my youth, quite steep – don’t forget to bail.

15. The Turfwalk
Overlooking Totland Bay, a great spot for a picnic or similar. Also the event ‘Art on the Turfwalk’ is held here every summer.

16. Totland Beach
Part stone and shingle, part golden brown sand – particularly beautiful when the tide is far out and there’s nobody around.

17. Totland Pier Cafe
At the base of the now being renovated Totland Pier, grab some grub here.

18. Classic Pier & Sunset Shot
If the sun is setting and you want to snap it, this is one of the default places to shoot from.

19. Fishing Spot
Fishing is often carried out anywhere along the sea wall here. Also crabbing occurs in this area too.

20. Walk to Colwell
Along the sea wall, scenic exercise for you.

21. Colwell
Reach neighbouring Colwell Beach by walking here from Totland Pier.

22. Free Beach Parking
Parking for the Beach and for the Restaurant / Bar ‘The Waterfront’.

23. The Waterfront
One of the best locations for a social drink on the Island. Sunny Sunday afternoons with their live music is pretty special too.

24. Sunbathing
The further along the beach you go, the better your chance of peace and quiet when worshipping the sun.

25. Beach walk to Alum Bay
Alum Bay is accessible directly from Totland beach, but make sure the tide is right out and prepare for a bit of rock climbing. No high heels. Should take around an hour.

26. Youth Hostel
YHA in the backwater of Totland.

27. Camping
Campsite for tents and caravans too.

28. The Highdown
A Traditional Pub with a nice garden for kids.

29. Walk – Tennyson Downs
One of many access points to the majestic Tennyson Downs.

30. Tennyson’s Monument
It is what it says on the tin. Get up there, take a deep breathe and maybe a picnic blanket and a camera, this is what awaits.

31. Tennyson Downs
They used to play golf here you know. Stunning chalk cliff downs. Walk off a lunch here with friends, nice.

32. Warren Farm
The Cream Tea here is spot on. You can access the farm from the road or walkers can take the bridleway from the Downs above.

33. The Needles Pleasure Park
Very popular and well known tourist spot. Plenty for the kids to do here. I’d recommend a ride on the chairlift to the beach below.

34. Coloured Sand at Alum Bay
See the world famous coloured sands, a geologically fascinating place. Also catch the boat tour from here.

35. Fishing Spot
I’ve heard that this is a good fishing area, but wait until the tourists have gone home for the day first.

36. Boat trip round the Needles
I think this is a must do if you’re visiting Totland. Get up close and personal to the iconic landmarks.

37. The Needles Lighthouse
You can see it from afar, but is quite a sight from the boat tour. Nobody lives there now of course.

38. Keep Walking
If you’ve got the legs you might like to walk all the way to the Old Battery, again it’s all very scenic. Don’t worry there’s also a bus service.

39. The Needles Battery
Take in a bit of National Trust knowledge in this historically significant area.

40. Headon Warren
My favourite place on the whole of the Isle of Wight. You’ll see why when you come here, read our AtoZ guide. And I also blogged about it previously.

41. Photo Spot
A wonderful 360 degree photo opportunity.

42. Walk – Headon Warren
Even if you’re not a keen walker, try this. Take 2-3 hours out of your holiday for it.

43. Picnic Spot
Bit of an insider tip for you here – on a warm, still day, take a blanket and a hamper and have a picnic here.

44. Classic Lighthouse Shot
A brilliant place to get the one of those classic Needles Lighthouse shots.

So there you have it. 44 things that Totland has to offer – do let me know if you think I’ve missed anything won’t you, and for increased interactivity why not view my Googlemap version here.

One of my favourite walks with my dog is up to view the Needles, mainly due to the diversity of beach, forest, heathland and of course the stunning views all in one Sunday morning stroll. Here’s a quick photo diary of the walk in case you don’t know the route already:

If you start in Totland Bay and walk up Cliff road, you will see the road veers round to the left and on your right is a public footpath signposted to Alum Bay, this takes you through Headon Warren.

Keep to the right if the footpath ever splits and you will weave through some beautiful woodland. This time of year it’s of course carpeted with leaves, which judging by Tyler’s reaction, is the equivalent to a kids ball park for dogs.

Then once you have navigated your way through the woodland and heather (it’s advisable to wear long trousers this time of year) you come out on top of the Warren and have gorgeous views of Totland Bay and the mainland.

Follow the cliff edge along until you come to a grass clearing with a breathtaking view of the Needles and Alum Bay below you.

Even the dog at this point always collapses and starts chewing on his stick and taking in the scenery…..who knew some chalk stacks poking out the sea could have a calming effect even on a springer spaniel?!

The route back I tend to follow Tyler and let him decide whether we take the high or low route. On this occasion we headed back across the top path benefiting form some stunning views of the Isle of Wight countryside and coastline.

When we pop out on Cliff Road again we take the footpath on the left signposted to Widdick Chine and beach where some quaint steps take you down to Totland beach.

From here you can walk all the way along the coast to Colwell stopping at the various establishments for some well deserved refreshments to refuel.

COMPTON MUD PIT

A local’s only secret; I oft meet my pals Tom Sawyer and Mowgli down here for a slide down the steep sided banks into the wet mud. If you see us wandering along Compton Beach looking like small ochre crusted African tribesmen you’ve nearly found it.

YARMOUTH-FRESHWATER

This is a less well trodden path, third to The Causeway and The Sunken Path. Mum and Dad say that once you’re through the copse there’s some lovely meadow ripe for picnicking…… I say ‘Forward Prince Caspian….For Narnia!’ Then we might finish with a tea at Kings Manor Farm Shop or a lemonade at the Red Lion….beastie bashing is hard work.

DANDELION CAFE

We’ve only started going this summer, it’s newly opened. Not so much of an adventure, but even heroes need some downtime. However whilst Mum and Dad enjoy the sweeping Freshwater Bay vista I perfect my submergible techniques in the pool and practice my balancing on the playground equipment for when I infiltrate Doctor Doom’s sheer cliff face island hideaway.

CHALK PIT

Whilst Mum and Dad walk Ferb, Myoli and I practice ambushing from behind the chalk mounds and dense woods. I might have taken it a bit too far with the leaf litter camouflage and homemade longbow because Dad gave me his wallet and ran off screaming

CORF CAMP

I had to join cub scouts to find this one. Camp outs, bread baking, forest games, tree climbing and rope swings. Awesome. Considering building a raft to get across the creek to visit the distant kingdoms of Shalfleetus and Newtownia. Just need the train these wild forest people into an army first.

CLIFF LEDGE, TOTLAND

Mum and Dad kept me captive inland for so long that when I found the small hole in the bushes at the back of One Horse Field I was overjoyed with the exciting possibility of imminent escape from my sea enclosed dinosaur infested prison. Mum and Dad just wanted to sit and look at the sunset.

TOTLAND-ALUM BAY

Until I finished my Jedi training I had to huddle up with the rest of the English beach loving masses, by the ice cream shop and toilets. Now my learned master says I can go with him to the far reaches of the Totland Bay galaxy and explore the cliffs, rocks and secluded bays of the outer rim seashore path on the Alum Bay route. Looking forward to adventure I am…..

THE ROPE SWING

This is the Isle of Wight there are many rope swings in many copses but this particular one is in a place my Dad’s generation call Monkeyland. I can’t tell you exactly where it is because when he took me there I was blindfolded and spun around to disorientate me, but I can tell you the swing is great fun and there are hundreds of trees to climb.

GOLDEN HILL

Fantastic place to play, but only if you like tree climbing, running, hiding, fresh air and blackberries. Big secret this one because I don’t want Captain Hook finding out that this is the location of the Nevertree.I climb the branches with John, Michael and the rest of the Lost Boys, then we slide down into our den whilst Wendy reads us a story. If your really lucky you might see Tink.

The Isle of Wight is excellent beer territory – taking into account its small size and geographical isolation, it boasts an impressive range of beers, many excellent pubs, and no less than three breweries! Though these are times of great uncertainty for pubs and hardship for many landlords, the quality and diversity of real ale locally has never been better and our local breweries are a major factor in that success.

The excellent quality of Island-brewed beers is reflected in the 170 or so pubs which still remain on the Island.  I’ve recently surveyed many of them for a re-issue of our own pub guide, The Real Ale of Wight, and I’ve been astonished by the high quality of real ale which is served not just in our flagship hostelries, but in the many country inns and back street town locals.  Landlords and managers work very hard in ensuring this quality and those who enjoy a pint should applaud their efforts by popping in to their local whenever they can.

Likewise, those visiting the Island won’t be disappointed by our local ales or the pubs they’re served in.  It would be impossible to list all the Island pubs who regularly stock Island beers and I can only give you a brief selection of those I’ve visited on my travels where you can be assured of an excellent pint.  I humbly tender my apologies to those I’ve omitted – it is certainly no reflection on the standard of their beers or pub.

Isle of Wight Pub of the Year for an embarrassing number of years is the Traveller’s Joy at Northwood, who regularly serve Island Brewery Wight Gold, as well as many others.  In the east of the Island, the High Park Tavern and Simeon Arms in Ryde regularly serve local beers in the finest condition and on the other side of the Island you’ll find local beers in the Broadway Inn at Totland.  For those who want to mull over a fine local pint and enjoy some of the wonderful views the Isle of Wight can offer, try the Culver Haven on top of Culver Down near Sandown or the Sun Inn at Hulverstone.

The Crab and Lobster at Bembridge consistently serves some of the finest Fuggle-de-Dum you can find. A riverside pint can be enjoyed at the Bargeman’s Rest in Newport, and, if a town local is your preference, try the Tap at Sandown.  There are many, many more worthy of mention and if you want a longer list visit our award-winning local CAMRA website.

Who’s who in brewing on the Isle of Wight

A homegrown affair…

In 1987 the stock market crashed and Lloyds looked to their names to cover their losses. “Time to honour your agreement, old boy”.  One of them was Anthony Goddard.  To meet his commitments, the family home had to go as did the vineyard and Goddards Brewery was born in Anthony’s new home, Barnsley Farm.  Goddards, now under the control of ex-Hampshire Brewery Richard Harvey, has continued to prosper and in 2010 produced a wonderful new ale, Hoppiness, made with local Boadica hops grown at Ventnor Botanic Garden.

Beer of the year…

Former Burts and Hartridges brewer, Dave Yates, launched his own brewery in 2003 and in 2004 won the bronze in the Champion Beer of Britain with his YSD. Yates Brewery boasts an impressive portfolio of beers, including the mighty Christmas ale Yule be Sorry at a thumping 7.6% which was voted Isle of Wight Beer of the Year in 2010. Dave was joined in 2008 by his old mate Stumpy, who sports a wooden leg acquired in a parachute accident and together they supplement the Yates ales with a range of beers under the Stumpy label.

In with the new…

Over the last few years, the brewing scene on the Island has seen some major changes. We’ve lost one brewery and gained another. Sadly, Ventnor Brewery folded in 2009 and is greatly missed. To fill the vacuum, Island Brewery was born the year after, created by local beer wholesalers Island Ales using the mighty talents of former Goddards brewer, Chris Coleman. The impressive and well-considered beers of the high quality we’ve come to expect of Chris have been very well received and have quickly established themselves on the Island scene. Of particular note is RDA, a superb, chocalatey, old ale which made its first informal appearance to a select few many years ago when Chris was just a home brewer.

CAMRA Isle of Wight is committed to excellence in real ale, be it local or otherwise and we have the utmost respect for our three Island breweries.  In pursuit of this, we operate our own local scheme called BeerPoint – find out all about it on the Wightwash website, together with all the latest news and information about the Island beer scene.  Cheers!

We picked a Sunday morning, jumped in the car and parked up. We were on a fairly tight schedule… about an hour of walking, which I knew would only take us half way. I’m saying ‘half way’ because there’s a sort of ‘standard’ start and end to the Warren. Essentially from Totland to Alum Bay or Alum Bay back to Totland.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qdMbWgo6a4

Now we didn’t have a dog but we did have two adventurous toddlers, and they already thought it the most fantastic place. They are slightly too small to shimmy up the old tree that I climbed 30 years ago – nice to see it still standing, although I wasn’t really dressed for climbing this day. So outdoor family time it is.

Beginning at the stone path in Totland, before you reach the fern and heather of the ‘actual’ Warren, you would have had a 10 minute walk already… and with two youngsters you’ve got to double it! We picked up more pace as we hit more open space and I went looking for the ‘Bench’, hidden away to the side of the path and covered in fern. We stood the kids there and took in the sea view. If this viewpoint was the sole reason to visit Headon Warren, as views go, it’s pretty darn good. But I knew there’d be more.

We were nearing 30 minutes of walking and I realised that soon we’d need to about turn and retreat down the chalk and sand path. But I also knew I wanted to get as far as the ‘Hole’. The ‘Hole’ is the name I have always had for a sunken area (and there are many across Headon Warren) that sits just off the main pathway near the highest point. We played in and around said hole for 10 more minutes and took in another fabulous sight, looking out to sea, Hurst Castle and most of the countryside of the West Wight. And then it was time to get back.

I can feel a Part Two happening so we’ll be coming back very soon, not just because I keep getting badgered by my children, or because we’ve only done one half of a walk, but also because I now realise why we did the same thing all those years ago – Headon Warren is beautiful.

I have lived on this Island for many years now – see my last blog for the background info – and if there’s one thing that really get’s my goat about ‘our’ friendly tourists (particularly over the Summer months), is the huge increase in traffic. Now I expect it, and I understand why. The car can be very important to us on holiday (especially if you’re a young family – I know it really isn’t easy traveling with kids at any time). So what exactly am I having trouble with then?

Well I’m not gonna moan about the 30 miles-an-hour drive all the way to Newport from Totland, no. And I’m not gonna mention the struggle to park in my usual spot outside my house, nor the inconsiderate who park across my drive and pop off to the beach for the afternoon, no. I’m not even gonna mention the physical state of our roads after we’re battered by the huge overflow of seasonal vehicles, no. And also I’ll not be cursing when it takes 10 minutes to get from one end of my road to the other, or even when I witness litter dropped from car windows, no. I won’t be doing that, those are for another blog..

I simply want to know why you come on holiday and sit in your car! Get out and get some fresh air people. Even worse, I see visitors park up and surround their car with deckchairs, tables and all sorts of paraphernalia.. there’s always a beach, a picnic area, a park, something better somewhere close by. C’mon let’s get a bit more adventurous.

I agree there are some reasons not to get out of the car, so far I have come up with three. 1) The weather. The rain and particularly the wind around our coast will sometimes have us all heading for the refuge of the car. 2) You may be too tired/lazy. Or 3) Your seatbelt is stuck. Please feel free to tell me if I’m missing any other reasons here?

I’ll stop whinging now and point you in the general direction of the Car-Free Scheme – in case you decide to relieve yourself of your motor (even just for a day) – whether it’s for the scheme’s ‘greener’ reasons, or maybe – weather permitting of course -  I’ve convinced you to venture further than the comfort zone of your car. So when you come to the Isle of Wight in your car – don’t forget to get out!

It helps too that I have possibly the most beautiful route on my doorstep which I’ll share with you, as everyone should get to smile this much whilst running at least once in their life (or you could jump on you bike!)

I start my run via the coastal path from Totland to Yarmouth, through a farm (always wondering whether the farm animals appreciate their sea view) up what looks like a old army barracks but now a strangely spacious little holiday park on top of a cliff, then into Fort Victorias’ Forest that runs adjacent to the beach. I precariously navigate my way down some deathly clay slippery steps and smile to myself every time when I get to the bottom and look to the tree lined path ahead of me with the sea as a back drop through the trees.

This takes me to picturesque Yarmouth. I do love the quaintness of this seaside town, with view of the masts of yachts moored up in its harbour and the clinking sound the halliards make. So again I jog with a smile across the bridge where I then join the path for the old railway track that follows the River Yar back across the Island to Freshwater.

This is one of my favourite parts, its like the yellow brick road, it’s a 2 mile long stretch of tree lined pathway through the countryside along a beautifully serene river.

It’s surreal jogging along there, its like you’re jogging through peoples lives; the man kayaking down the river, the huntsmen on a hunt reacting to a horn being blown in the distance and full on galloping down the path to meet the dogs in the next field, the 60 something couple having a romantic Sunday stroll taking pictures of an eerie swampy forest scene – at which point I can’t resist stopping and insisting on taking a picture of them together….you can’t beat a nice picture of you both in the middle of nowhere until the random jogger intruded for a brief moment….I hope it made the mantle piece.

At the end I debate to take a left and do a 10 mile or take a right and keep it to 6.  The 10 mile as painful as it is, is unbelievably satisfying; running up to Tennyson Monument, which was erected on top of a cliff near the needles in memory of the poet, apparently one of his favourite places to sit and be inspired….you’ll see why. If you do decide to run up it, it’s torture I warn you. Think of those iconic pictures of the Isle of Wight coastline, it’s basically running from sea level straight to the top of one of those cliffs. I always convince myself I will walk, that its forgivable, but then there is always a lovely walker (which one must remember to save enough energy to muster a smile and say hello to!) that provides sweet encouragement of “don’t stop now your doing so well” if only he could see me the next day with my wooden legs and inability to walk down the stairs.

When you do get to the top and look out across the Island, rolling hills, gullies filled with homes, water locked with sailing boats dotted about, it’s all worth it and then you float the last 2.5 miles home through the country lanes and back along Totland beach, past the Waterfront pub, at which point I always wish it would be sociably acceptable to be the sweaty jogger that stops to have a pint in their beachside beer garden, instead I settle for cake at home.

Forget detoxing…this is good for the soul!

I was born on the Island in 1975 at St Mary’s Hospital in Newport. I spent 6 years ‘away’ in the 1990s in further education. Then, as many do, I returned ‘home’. Since school I’d worked my fair share of tourist destinations – even during Summer breaks whilst in higher education. Places like Blackgang Chine, Thorness Bay, The Needles Pleasure Park (Restaurant, Bar and Chairlift), Alum Bay Tea Rooms, The Waterfront, and even as chief Washer-upper at the Youth Hostel in Totland.

I’ve spent the last 11 years living and working here, mainly designing for tourist destinations – what else! And more recently, raising a young family. So I reckon that just about qualifies me to be one of your ‘local experts’.. so I guess I also need to try and explain what I’m gonna be your ‘expert’ at. Well if truth be told, I haven’t the foggiest. I think it’s gonna be pretty random. It may involve my knowledge of the West Wight, and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna tackle some of the hard-hitting issues (like where’s the best place to skim a stone or how to avoid upsetting the locals), but whatever it ‘becomes’ I’m gonna at least try and have some fun.

As I write this ‘disclaimer’ I’m frantically putting the final touches to the very website you are viewing. I certainly hope that you find it visually appealing, and I welcome your comments on any element of the site’s design. One of my aims is that the interaction on myisleofwight.com is increased by it being aesthetically pleasing. I’d also like to know how you feel about any part of the site and I may use my blog to ask your feedback occasionally.

Anyway, back to my personal quandary of what to lay before you. Well I had a brief discussion on the subject of blogs with my friend (and co-blogger) Julian Winslow – about which blogs we both read, and why we followed them. I follow Photography blogs, Video blogs, Illustration Blogs, Music Blogs, Trending Blogs, Packaging Design Blogs (2 of them) & the occasional Website Blog – and so it turns out I rarely read any at all! I guess I just like the ones with the pictures.