Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Isle of Wight

This last weekend we had a little get away on the Isle of Wight - a small island (although bigger then we expected) that is off the southern coast of England.  We were joined by our friend Rose (a fellow spouse we met while on St.Maarten) and her baby girl Eliaa.  We had not seen her since we left the island and it was great to spend time together again.

we visited Seaview a small zoo on the island

Eliaa saying hi to ducks, chickens, hens and roosters



she really wished she could be in the pen with the Wallabies




sleepy pig






Dillon not to sure of the icky fish being fed to the penguins




a wood carving we saw leaving Seaview

a shady lane to the bus stop

the beach in sundown

regardless of how chilly it is, ice cream is always yummy


Dillon reminiscing about his time on St.Maarten and missing the waves at Plum Bay





rarely do we splurge for these activities but thought it would be fun - Michael hit Dillon so hard his hat flew off





so glad all creatures are welcome

we discovered Cowes (the town we stayed in) is a HUGE sailing town.  our cottage (Blue Dolphin) reminded the boys of the cottage we usually stay in when we visit Carmel - they loved it



yummy breakfast on a cooly rainy day

what can I say - we loved Isle of Wight - we were surprised at how built up and commercial it was and soon realized after talking to some locals we need to go visit the west coast!!!!!  That is where the surf is better, it is wild and free - open spaces.  More rough and rustic - what we love most.  SO - I guess that means we will be returning, even if it is to an area we have somewhat explored and it will be winter - I really want to go back and so does Dillon for sure and probably Ro (as I know there is an aquarium on the other side of the island).  

Monday, September 24, 2012

Chichester

The weekend before last we took a day trip via train to a town called Chichester.  There was an open air museum called Weald and Downland that I thought would be a great way to stay outside in the beautiful weather and learn about the "olden days" in the countryside of England.  It was a great chance for Alexi and I to catch up as we wandered around the museum.

market center

thatch roof

brick and woodwork




school house



kitchen

herbs drying

work horses

part of the village

the downs


the best part for the boys - one of the volunteers explained to the boys that this is where you would pooh (yes those were his words and it was on the second floor) and the pooh would go outside in a pile and be mixed with ash from the fireplace to be used as manure

what they call a truckle (we call them trundles)




there was a class on medicinal plants that we really wish we had known about ahead of time - they also grew many of the plants on the property



the baby piggies were hiding


the boys tried out the old fashioned kids toys



feeding the ducks

the flour that the functioning mill produces

the mill







some old planes that flew by

before going home we visited the chichester cathedral


the ceiling



I would highly suggest paying a visit to the museum if you are in the Sussex area, a great place for kids to roam free while learning a bit too.  Thank you Alexi for a beautiful fall day of exploring