Monday 19th – Monday 26th July

Monday 19 July

So very exciting – a whole week’s Summer holiday on the Isle of Wight – with my niece, an almost 7 year old Great Nephew and an almost 7 month old Great Nephew!! I am so lucky. The whole event has been organised over several months using pages of shared Apple Notes – there were checklists of who is bringing what, a programme of activities, a menu and food shopping list – all now ticked and completed, we are ready for the off!

We are staying in a static caravan at Parkdean Resorts Thorness Bay Site near Newport on the Isle of Wight. https://www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk/location/isle-of-wight/thorness-bay/

We are travelling in my car as it has higher boot space; I arrived early at Em’s so that the baby and child seats could be attached to the Isofix points in my car and Teddy’s bike could be added to mine on the bike rack. We had agreed soft bags only and, having at one point begun to consider roof boxes and trailers, we were pleasantly suprised when everything went in first time and we could still see out through the rear view mirror!

It’s 9.20am, our ferry from Portsmouth is at 2.20pm …… 5 hours …… plenty of time.

Hmmm heavy traffic on the M25 and then more on the M3. I drove as far as Winchester services where we stopped for a break and to feed Stanley. Our minds turned to timings and we realised there was now only about 1 hour to our ferry check in time. No problem, it’s only a 47 minute journey. Em was now driving my car for the first time, we were making good progress, until reaching Portsmouth where we came to a standstill – stuck in a queue for the Wightlink ferry terminal!

They have very little space at the ferry terminal; when we finally reached the single check in box the (quite severe) woman expressed the view that we were late. To be fair she did radio to ask if we could be let through but was told the barriers were down. No problem we thought, we’ll go on the next ferry ……. the severe woman explained that it doesn’t work like that here, you need to leave the terminal, park-up and ring reservations to see if there might be space on a ferry later today, although she was sceptical there would be! If we did get a new booking we would have to queue again to get in. We tried the “we have a small baby here and a Sainsbury order to collect” card but she was having none of it; just directed us out of the terminal.

We managed to park opposite (not easy with the added length of the bike rack) and made the call. No space until the 5.00pm ferry …… it was a wait but I was relieved that we would still be able to get across The Solent today and not have to start looking for a hotel!

There were now two problems – 1) It was hot, very hot! 2) We were hiring a pushchair on the Isle of Wight so …….. no pushchair!

We realised we were near to Gunwharf Quays (outlet shopping) so, with Em putting Stanley in the carrier, making her even hotter, we walked in search of lunch, a shady place to eat it and somewhere where we could call Sainsbury’s to explain why we couldn’t pick up our order until 6.30pm!

After lunch, rather than just hang around, we decided to risk re-joining the ferry queue just in case we could get on the earlier 4.00pm ferry. They put us in a stand-by queue; OK it didn’t work, but the bonus was we got a cup of tea / ice cream and to sail at 5.00pm on Wightlink’s new and larger, green energy ferry, Victoria of Wight.

Lovely crossing and straight forward journey to the site. Coronavirus means no need to check-in at reception, just go to your caravan, it will be open with the keys inside.

We needed to empty the car in order to be able to get our large Sainsbury food order into it, so we basically threw everything into the caravan and I whizzed back the 5 miles to find a kindly and patient man sitting in a Sainsbury van in the car park waiting just for me. I was even later than we had said – 6.45pm I think – I tried to rush but he was as nice as could be, “take your time”, helping me pack bags, making sure the frozen stuff came last and giving me free carrier bags when I ran out – what an extremley kind fellow!

Then began the ‘Great Bed Rearrangement Game’ – the hired travel cot won’t fit in the main bedroom as we had planned. Better for Em to have the twin room, removing the other bed and with Stanley in it’s place in the cot. The bed frame itself folded up against the wall, no problem; we wrangled the mattress into the narrow hallway and then into Teddy’s room thinking we could make the spare bed in there double-height, no good, the mattresses are different sizes; we wrangled it back into the hallway and thought we could put it under the bed in the double room; nope, it won’t budge along the carpet. Eventually, we got it lengthways down the side of the double bed – phew! Back to erecting the travel cot – they don’t provide a mattress, poor Stanley therefore basically sleeping on a board! Temporary padding measure tonight ….. to Dunelm tomorrow.

And relax ……. we are finally here and ready to begin our adventure!

Takeaway supper from the site and time for – a very patient – Teddy in the play area.

Tuesday 20th July

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve had to pre-book swimming at the pool on site, however, from Monday 19th July all restrictions were released, but now there’s both an element of sticking to the old rules and allowing for normal rules here – a little confusing. However, we all have swimming booked at 2.50pm today.

Our ‘Programme’ includes arrival and departure days then ‘Day Out’ days and ‘Down by the Bay’ days, the latter being local trips, the local beach or on and around the site.

The first part of the morning was spent in making a ‘slanted’ jelly for a Knickerbocker Glory which we were supposed to do last night.

Then to the bar for elevenses – disappointingly no croissants or cakes.

A whizz out to Dunelm where we found a perfect ‘mattress’ for Stanley’s cot and the best-ever pink and silver bath mat which can be taken on all future static caravan holidays – why ever don’t they provide one!

Understandably, there’s a ‘no photo’ rule in the pool, but Stanley enjoyed floating in his yellow ring for the first time and Teddy had an amazing time, jumping in and going down the waterslide a zillion times.

After the pool swim Em & Teddy went to explore the beach at the bottom of the site.

I took Stanley back to the caravan, dried him and took off his swim-nappy. I looked away for a moment and when I looked back there was a little wet patch on the floor and an innocent face. The damp patch was at least a foot from where he was laying – must’ve been quite a fountain!!

I then, unsuccessfully, tried to feed Stanley his dinner – he wasn’t having any of it! I don’t think he really likes the hired high-chair, it is rather hard/basic. Lesson learned on Mummy’s return …. first tempt him with a spoonful or two of his yoghurt dessert, then a yoghurt/main course mix. Yes, an empty bowl thereafter.

Our own dinner was chicken, rice and broccoli …….. not our best cooking effort. The chicken was very dry. Lesson ……. next time we’ll either buy chicken pre-prepared or perhaps with a cook-in sauce. However, the Knickerbocker Glory dessert was a triumph!

Wednesday 21st July

A ‘Day Out’ day …….. we are off to Blackgang Chine https://blackgangchine.com/; every child’s favourite place on the Isle of Wight.

After some Elevenses in the café we began our adventure; Teddy, excitedly, running from one thing to the next. By far his favourite activity was the ships in Pirate Cove Adventure Play Park, where you could squirt a cannon of water at kids on another pirate ship. Brilliant!

We found a pleasant, shady tree for our picnic lunch; got all settled in and then realised we were next to the Valley of the Dodos exhibit. We thought it was quite cute when we passed it earlier but the repeating wails of the Bee Gee’s Staying Alive to the words “DodoDodoDodoDodo” alternating with the Happy Birthday song with the words …….. you guessed it “Dodo Do Do Do Do”, was a little trying!!

Em in the car park first thing – “will we need Stanley’s second bottle?” Me – “No, leave it in the car.” …….. Before lunch, Em had to go all the way back to the car park to retrieve the second bottle. Ooops!

After lunch the maze and then the roller coaster.

Next, the waterslides. I was on video duty …….. it’s very hard to see who is coming down the slide, so I videoed several unknown people by mistake. Then I videoed the right people. Wanting to delete the unknown people, I then immediately deleted the right people – I was mortified! Calmly, Em told me you can restore photos / videos – who knew?! I’m too cheap to be able to upload videos here, but here is a still from the video below:-

As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, we returned to the site as we had a ‘Pool Party’ booking. Lots of big inflatables to play with. Em and Teddy went down the water slide several times and then, as the pool wasn’t busy where we were, the kind lifeguard let us take some photos; you can see Stanley just loved the noodle – he clung to it for the whole session like a builder carrying some scaffolding!!

After the Pool Party, a shower for Ted (check out our lovely new pink and silver bath mat!); a bath for Stanley in the kitchen sink! And we’re all smartly dressed for dinner out at the on-site Boathouse Bar & Restaurant. Everything – drinks and food – ordered and paid for on the app and brought to you at your table. Very easy and efficient.

That was a very big day!!

Thursday 22nd July

Today is due to be very hot! We assembled a picnic, packed the car and made our way to Ryde beach, finding a parking space right next to the beach …….. just one problem, there was a wall between the car and the beach. No problem we just handed over the chair, parasol, windbreak, beach tent, blanket, 6 bags including picnic stuff, swimming kit, buckets and spades, the pushchair and then, separately, Stanley(!) and set up our pitch – lovely.

Shortly after setting up, Em took both kids and waded out a long, long, long way, still only up to her knees; soon after that the tide went out, out, out – you could almost walk to Portsmouth! Teddy was left with just a giant puddle; he didn’t seem to mind.

During lunch a huge gust of wind lifted the parasol – I managed to catch it just in time, but sand went everywhere, including over some of our lunch – yum!

Back to the caravan and we cleaned ourselves up from the beach. Boys fed and looking cute for our trip into Cowes for some crabbing.

Having circled the town twice looking for somewhere suitable to park, we found a spot and strolled into the harbour area to find 8 year old Max and his dad on a boat launching ramp. We asked if it was OK to crab there and were then entertained by Max who talked and talked whilst helping/offering advice to Teddy on his crabbing technique. By 9pm, no crabs were to be found and we were being chased up the ramp by the incoming tide so we returned to the car.

Having packed the pushchair into the boot we got in the car to find Em had lost her iPhone – we looked everywhere and I mean everywhere – twice! In the car, under the car, in the bags etc. etc. I was ringing her phone and, although it was on silent, we could hear something. Finally, we found it …….. where I had put it, in the folds of the pushchair hood. So glad was I to find it that I immediately dropped it on the ground – Ooops! Fortunately, no damage.

Back to the site for a grown-ups’ dinner …….. at this late stage we didn’t want to cook the Chinese we had bought, so tried to get a takeaway from the site, only we were too late, everything was finished/closing. So beans on toast then, with cheese garnish, yoghurt and some wine – lovely.

Friday 23rd July

After a lie-in/slow start we set off for The Needles https://www.theneedles.co.uk/. About half a mile before the entrance we joined an enormous queue of traffic – we thought perhaps an accident but, no, it turned out to be a queue to get into The Needles. When we reached the car park there was loads of space, it was simply because the organiser’s manned payment box was almost on the road so they were causing their own traffic jam. I think their system needs a re-think! Or, just turn up in the afternoon when we noticed there is no-one there to take your money!!

After a restorative Elevenses break we joined the queue for the Sand Shop where you can fill a clear glass shape of your choice with Alum Bay’s coloured sands. It didn’t take long to get inside; all very well organised. Teddy made a star and Stanley (with a little help) made a lighthouse. It’s amazing how much more sand the member of staff can get in before they seal it when you thought it was full!!

As there was no queue, we made a snap decision to go on the chairlift – Teddy was yet to realise the size of the drop. As we approached the ticket office, we decided that it would be better for Em to sit with Teddy and for me to take Stanley. Quick baby carrier swap and I was on my own chairlift with a 7 month old without a second thought!!

After lunch Teddy tried to win Mummy a brooch in the arcade; went on the carousel and then drove a large jeep around a track. This was followed by an ice cream at the viewpoint and where we waved across The Solent to Great Nana (Margaret) and Nanny (Elaine) who were now at the flat in Southbourne.

Back to the site; Em and Ted had a swim while Stanley and I chilled at the Boathouse. Drinks for us and a pizza for Teddy. Boys to bed and then to cook our Chinese meal. We started cooking at 8.52pm and sat down to eat at 10.03pm. The oven just didn’t seem to cook anything very quickly or was it operator error?! There were 4 spring rolls in the pack and it seems I put them all on my own plate – sorry about that Em – I did handover my extras later!

Some chocolates to finish while we listened to the beginning of a storm.

Saturday 24th July

Today is a suprise!

Great Nana and Nanny are coming across as foot passengers on the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth for a day visit!! Here they come:-

Teddy’s face when they arrived was a picture!!

After some Elevenses at the Boathouse and time for Teddy on the play area, we set off with a picnic lunch for the beach next to the site. The weather forecast had not been promising but we had some lovely sunshine, games, paddling, stone skimming, Star Wars’ battles and a lovely view with such beautiful colours.

Back to the site for a swimming session, adults taking it in turns to pop inside and watch Teddy and Stanley in the pool.

Then dinner at The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant (thanks Great Nana!). I had half-necked a drink before I realised I was on driving duty for the ferry back. Good job Em realised!

Farewell – it has been a lovely, lovely day.

Sunday 25th July

Our last full day and a rainy one!

We set off for Robin Hill https://robin-hill.com and actually sat in the car park for several minutes as the torrential rain thundered on the car roof. Having decided to go for it we found it wasn’t too bad and Teddy didn’t even seem to notice the rain!!

I think Robin Hill was originally a country park but it now has all sorts of activities to do/see.

Just before lunch a call from Nanny …….. she and Great Nana had got back to the flat safely last night but, shortly afterwards, Great Nana tripped, fell and cut her head, so they’d been at A&E in Bournemouth for a while last night – ouch! Great Nana had some sticky tapes put over the cut and was back to normal very quickly so they could continue with their mini-break.

Picnic lunch under an enormous Tipi (wigwam).

The best bit for Teddy was the Treetop Trail and Jungle Heights. Mummy was pretty keen too!! The exit comprised a slope of net and Teddy made about 10 different ‘exits’ as a stunt man – hysterical!

Back to the caravan and a quick change for our dinner out at The Lifeboat in East Cowes https://www.thelifeboatcowes.co.uk.

On our return to the site we took the car across on the Isle of Wight Floating Bridge – a small chain ferry between East & West Cowes. https://www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk

Kids to bed and then the big packing process begins.

Monday 26th July

Alarms set for 7.00am

Car packed, bike rack on by 7.57am, we don’t need to leave until 9.45am! We twiddled our thumbs whilst both boys slept on.

When we finally depart at 9.48am I ask Em if she wants to double-check the kitchen cupboards. She opened the fridge to find all her food still in there. I’d packed mine and left hers – sorry!

We arrived at the ferry terminal at Fishbourne an hour early, but got put on the early ferry, which was OK but we were clutching hot tea, didn’t have a ferry bag ready and Stanley’s meals were planned around being fed on the later ferry. Yikes!

Lovely sunny crossing – we went out on deck to wave farewell to the Isle of Wight.

As the ferry arrived in Portsmouth, Teddy and I walked down the stairs to the car deck leaving Em to come down in the small lift with Stanley in the carrier. Suddenly a car moved towards Teddy – the guy just didn’t look and we hadn’t even docked! Very frightening. We’re all fine, but where is Em? I try opening the heavy door to the lift shaft thinking she may be stuck behind it. A guy comes to help – there is no-one there. We are now docked and the ramp is beginning to go down – where is Em? She and Stanley finally appear from a different door further along; she couldn’t get through the heavy door so had had to go up the stairs, across and down another set of stairs, all with Stanley strapped to her – nightmare!

We stopped at McDonald’s at Petersfield to give Stanley his lunch. There was a lovely 70+ year old lady on the door, seating people, bringing a high chair, doing a brilliant job on cleaning tables etc. Amazing and unexpected service in a McDonalds.

And home. What a lovely, lovely holiday!