Happy Sunday

Hi everybody. Sorry I'm a bit lateon parade today. Had a great day yesterday, (Sunday) Woke up to blazing sunshine. \Real t shirt weather. Had my breakfast and set offto Newport and Cowes. Only went to Newport to the turbine factory demo. It's a cause that has really grabbed the Island. People young, old and in between are really backing the workers there,regardless of their politics. Haven't heard a bad word against it. Enough politics. on to Cowes. It is Cowes week this week. A time when it appears people who's association with the sea amounts to an annual paddle and a plate of cockles on the beach, transform themselves into Yachty types. Yellow wellies, reefer jackets, stripey sweaters and silly sailor hats. Change their normal pint of lager for a Pimms wih all the trimmings (alcoholic fruit salad)and wander around looking at boats most of them could never afford. Clouded over a bit and turned a tad chilly for a while, but soon the sun returned and all was well. Cowes is split into two halves, east and west, divided by the river Medina. You can go the long way round but the Chain bridge is much more fun. It is a floating bridge that hauls itself acrooss the river with two huge chains.

While I was waiting to board, I got alking to one of the loaders. I told him I was planning to have a look at the IOW steam railway and he said he used to work on it as a volunteer. Somehow the conversation moved on to Health and safety rules and he informed me that H&S had banned the drivers and engineers on the steam locos from smoking on the footplate. They claim it would be a fire risk. hat about the bloody great boiler fire box blazing away. bit moe of a fire risk than a fag I would have thought. lol.
So I crossed the Medina into West Cowes. A lovely old town. I made my way into the heart of the action, down on the waterfront. One thing that dominates the area is the huge hanger where they used to build and service hovercraft. The ancestral home of the vessels.

A you can see, the hanger doors are decorated with a huge Union Flag. I was, and I believe still is the largest Union flag in the world. You can also see some of the water traffic which buzzes up and down like a constant stream of water bourne ants.
Thisis one of the larger craft.

On the streets of Cowes, there were Street entertainers dotted around. A very good Jazz trio, Couyldn't get the drummer in. ssssomeone standing in my way who refused to move.
A brillant Barber Shop Choir,
and a traditional Punch and Judy.



Had a good wander round, soaking up the atmosphere and a couple of shandys. (Well I am driving lol) Bought a few souvenirs and sticks of rock. All the usual touristy things. Then it was time to head home. Along the way, I passed Osbourne House. Queen Victoria's holiday pad on the Island. Unfortunately couldn't go in as they were setting up for a big "Simply Red" concert in the grounds in the evening. Found out to my disappointment that Saturday night they had the Medieaval ?Baebes in concert. They are fantastic andI missed them. Continued my route back to base camp and noticed there is a circus set up not far from my campsite. got the details and hoe to go later in the week. I love circuses.

Back on the campsite, settled in forthe night. Watched some of the DCambridge folk festival on tyhe BBC website and then to bed.
Talk to you all again soon.

Wet Saturday in the tent

Oh what a change from yesterday. Instead of the clear blue sky and little scudding clouds the day dawned to a grey, all over blanket of cloud. At first, Mother Nature teased me with little showers lasting no more than a couple of minutes. Very light and no problem. I thought. Ok. I'll get out to the Quarr Abbey. Not far away and plenty of shelter if needs be. However, Mother Nature had other ideas and the showers got longer and more frequent until, by the time I'd cooked and eaten my bacpon and egg, and downed my 3rd cup of coffee of the day,a continuous drizzle had set in. You know the sort of thing. not heavy but jf you're out in it, it just seems to soak you thoroughly in no time at all. So quick change of plans reqwuired. My tent is great. Warm dry and cozy with a good amount of room. But it would be even better if I could organise things a bit better. So that is how I have spent my day. Setting up the sleeping area, a food storage space, cooking space, clothes area etc. Now have loads of room. Just wish it was en-suite lol. Only 20 yards to the "facilities" but not good in the middle of the night or in the rain or both. So nothing else really to report. Weather forcasr better for tomorrow, and next week looking good. By the way, Having suffered the crowds of race goers going to Goodwood races the other day, now I discover this week is Cowes week. Lots of "Grotty Yachties" as they call them over here. All yellow wellies and Pimms.lol. So Bye for now. See you all tomorrow. By the way, if anyone reading this happens to be on the Island and fancies popping by the tent, e-mail me and I'll give you direction. I can promise a nice hot cuppa at least.

First full day on the Isle of Wight

Hi Blog followers. Well here I am on the beautiful Isle of Wight. I am settled on a lovey campsite called Kite Hill by Fishbourne near to Ryde. (about 2 or 3 miles) It is a lovely site as I think I've said, with all mod cons. Weather has been incredible, varyng from pretty cloudy first thing this morning to clear blue skies and really hot sunshine. Slept really well again last night. My body obviously likes the outdoor life. My oxygen was waiting for me on arrival yesterday. That was a relief, but my doctor's HOOF form and Vitalair got it all spot on. Well done them. So far, the buggy has proved brilliant. I've had many buggies over the year, but this new one, the TGA Electrics Breeze IV has proved to be more than up to the task. To ask any machine to transport me, (and I'm no lightweight) towing their trailer with all my camping gear and luggage for an average of 20 miles a day in varying weather conditions is a huge ask, but here I am on the Island, in one piece and not even a numb bum. A real feather bed ride. Mind you, I'm sure I heard it breathe a sigh of relief today wnen I drove into Ryde with no trailer or luggage. lol.Well done TGA for developing a machine I could say is up to any task. Many thanks also to Tim and all the boys and girls at TGA for their first rate technical support and customer services. A rare thing these days. As I said yesterday, I met up with Hilary from Naomi House when I reached Gunwarf Quay in Portsmouth. She took some photos of me on the Breeze IV which she is going to e-mail to me over the weekend. I'll post them Monday or Tuesday.
So today was go and explore Ryde day and pick up supplies and replacements for the gear I left at home. (I know. I'm a silly bugger) I set off just before lunch and had a good road into town. Passed several signs warning me of the presence of Red Squirrels in the area. Haven't seen one yet but keeping my eyes open and the camera ready. So if any do show themselves, hopefully you will see them too.
Got into Ryde and headed straight for the seafront as, it appears, did half the world. I really is lovely there. Actual sandy beaches.


Driving along the seafront I came to the Isle of Wight Hover Craft base.The only operating passenger hovercraft ferry in Europe. (and we invented the darn thing) I had to photograph it through a rather grubby perspex gate as "Health and Safety" don't allow the public too close when it taks off because of the sand and other debrit it kicks up.

Quite a sight.

Carrying on along the seafront you come to the usual attraction. Ice rink, Bowling ally, gift shops, trampolines. (no they said I'd break them if I had a go)and beautiful little gardens filled with spectacular colourful flowers and palm trees.



At this point I headed into the centre of town to do the boring and very expensive shopping. With th buggy fully loaded I headed back to the campsite. dropped off the shopping and went out again to Wooton. Stopped by the creek to have a pint in the early evening sun. Now back in my tent about to have dinner and settle down for the night. We have just had a shower, very light. Lasted a whole 2 minutes. Tomorrow depending on the weather, I am either going to the nearest attraction to me. Quarr Abbey and ruins, of if it looks good to go further afield I'll try Cowes. Also want to check out the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. So nightie night. Sleep tight (take a bottle of gin to bed lol)

Waking up in an orchard

Well that is another night under canvas survived. Firstly an apology. Last night I placed the blame for the noise on a bull nearby. Sorry Mrs Cow. It was dark and raining and you were the other side of the hedges. It turns out that the cows had just had their babies taken from them and were calling for them. So sad. Can't blame them for kicking up a bit. Anyway, as I said on closing yesterday, it had finally stopped raining and I drifted off to sleep. the blanket I was loaned certainly helped as it was a very cold night, but this morning dawned bright and sunny. The camp was in a lovely orchard and I had a pear tree next to my tent. One of my neighbours, as promised arrived with tea and biscuits, followed shortly after by a bacon buttie. Yummy yum yum. Feeling well fed and rested watched as the squad of fellow campers dismantled my tent and packed everything up for me. The site owner kindly donated £5 to the cause and off I went. Next stop Portsmouth. In bright sunshine I made good time using the cycle lanes and actually had an un-eventful drive. Having left the camp well before 9, I was at Gunwarf quay by 3pm. Met up with Hilary, from Naomi house and was able to have a good chat with her about how things are going. You will be pleased to hear that the administrators of the failed Icelandic bank have agreed to repaying 20% of what they lost. A whole million. Very useful but far from enough. At least the plans for the teenage unit can go ahead. The nearest dedicated teenage unit for the south east of England is in Oxfordshire. Not very good for families already facing the ordeal they face. That's why your help is so greatly needed. Right so after my chat with Hilary, and receiving the good wishes from all back at Naomi House, I was led onto the ferry to Fishbourne on the I.O.W. Arriving in glorious sunshine about 4pm. At this point allow me the thank Sue Hemmings and all the staff and management of Wight Link Ferries for donating my return ferry tickets and for the superb treatment I received. Bless you all.
Arrived at the campsite, Kite Hill, just before 5pm. The site owner, a lovely Welsh lady mustered the help of a Welsh family on the site and my encampment was ready in no time flat. Great people. Having rested sa while and had a good session on my oxygen I set off down to Wooton Bridge and into the village to hit Tescos. Had not done much shopping en-route as I wanted to keep the load down to a minimum. I also picked up a Chinese take away so I won't have to cook tonight. The campsite is lovely. nice level pitches with short grass, and excellent facilities, including a proper dedicated disabled toilet and shower. Going to enjoy it here. Anyway going to finish my take away and enjoy the evening sunshine So good night and God Bless you all.

Second day stared well. Slept like a log. Woken at 4am by the most incredible dawn chorus, here was also a mysterious furry creature wandering about during the night.(no it wasn't me)The site owner thinks it might have been a fox. Also, the camp pussy cats had a go at the ducks on the river just behind my tent. Total mayhem.
Anyway, got back to sleep until about half seven and woke to lovely sunshine. A couple of strangers I met on the way to the washroom donated a fiver to the cause, and my neighbours on the site gave me a tenner,n as did the campsite wner, the delightful Helen. Finally packed up and go on the road about noon. That is when the nightmare of a day began.
I had downloaded routes from Google Maps. Just goes to show how naive I can be sometimes. the route from Brighton to Ford was pretty well fine but the Ford to Chichester route was a total disaster. It was meant to be 15.7 miles. Easy for the buggy but. Following their directions, I turned onto a road and set off along it. after a couple of miles or so, I came to a railway which could only be crossed by footbridge. My buggy is not very good at climbing stairs lol. So, turn round and back tracked almost all the way back to Ford. Spoke to a local who sent me off on a new route telling me it would get past the railway and back on track for Chichester.
All seemed to be going well. 8 mph down the A27, sticking to the very inside of the inside lane. unfortunately, some nice person reported a slow moving vehicle, me, and I waspulled over by the law. They insisted that I get off the A27 as soon as possible and using his sat nav, got me a safe route to Chichester. talk about round the houses. Eventually, by 5pm and with the rain starting to come down, I reached Chichester. Batteries nearly fkat. I tried to phone the campsite to tell them I was on my way, but could only get a recorded message. With the rain now fallong steadily I found my way to a hotel in the centre of town, thinking if push comes to shove,get a room for the night and recharge ready for the morning. Now I'm not a horse racing follower so was unaware the this week is the big Goodwood meeting and Chichesterwas suffering from Bethlehem Syndrome. "No room at the inn" What to do. The young receptionist was brilliant. She got me a cup of tea and set up a new routefor me to my camp. only 6 more miles to go, I finally got through to the campsite on the phone and once on the road, checked in for route updates, finally arriving, soaked and in the rain at the site. Once again the true spirit of the British camper shone through the gloom. the site owner mobilized a small army of fellow campers who in a short break in the weather, pitched my tent, unpacked my things, connected my electricity and while the site owner kindly furnished me with a hot mug of tea, another couple offered me a very tastey bowl of leek and potato soup and bread which arrived accompanied by a bowl of home made apple crumble and custard. Another couple insisted that the bring me at least a bacon buttie and tea for breakfast, and supplied me with a blanket to keep warm. Such people really deserve far more thanks and praise than I can express here. If the rest of the world behaved like these people what a wonderful place it would be. Anyway, I am now snuggled into my bed ready to cruise the highway to the land of nod, And it's finally stopped raining. One last thing. a very near neighbour of mine on the site appears to be a large bull. He's been creating a right racket. Will try to get a photo of him in the morning. S fare thee well my friends and God bless. Tomorrow Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Well here we go.

The adventure begins. Who was it who said, "The best laid plans of mice and men...." Well, as I said yesterday,I had put all my stuff in the hallway ready to load into the trailer this morning to get an early start. As the Meerkat on tv says "Simplz" You'd think so wouldn't you. So how come I managed to leave my plates, cups,knives, forks, can opener and pots and pans behind. Didn't realise until half way through Hove, bombing along the seafront like easy rider. Weather nice and sunny but very breezy down there. Nearly lost the nice cap that TGA, the makers of my buggy gave me. Just caught it in time. So, followed the seafront cycly lane until it turned inland to skirt the Shoreham harbour. Noticed that the batteries were running down a bit, and my mobile phone was also dying so stopped off at the only place I could find. Macdonalds, to have a coffee or two and a mint choc chip macflurry. Don't know if you've ever tried one but it really surprised me. Very tasty but unfortunately gave me brain freeze. lol Thank god for hot coffee. The manager there was most helpful, allowing me to park the buggy and running a long extension lead out to me so I could top the batteries up. Many thanks.
I then proceeded to Worthing and Littlehampton without further problems. Called TGA and they are meeting me at my campsite in the morning to check and if required replace my batteries beforethe next leg. Had another break in Littlehampton and then armed with a new camp cooking set and good local directions from a young police community support officerm set off for the campsite in Ford. What a lovely site. Very quiet apart from the birds. Just wish I could identify their calls. Helen, the campsite owner couldn't have been more charming and helpful. Wouldn't let me lift a finger, and with the help of my camp site next door neighbour Dave and his wife had my tent pitched in no time. Now relaxing having had a quick chicken curry. probably have an early night tonight. 6 hours driving a buggy on a route you don't know can be a bit wearing. So I will wish you all a very good night as I settle down on my nice plunchy air bed for a well earned, I hope, good night's sleep. Bless you all. Adrian.

!!!!!!!!HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!

At Last. The big day has arrived. Not a bad nights sleep (Slept like a log - Woke up in the fireplace lol) so feeling quite refreshed. Everything packed. Going to pick up a few bits and pieces en-route. Then First scheduled stop WORTHING. Watch out for all the news of the day here tonight. Mobile Broadband allowing. So see you all soon. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed. And of course, Most imporantly Make a donation to Naomi House Childrens Hospice on
www.justgiving.com/backpacking-for naomi-house
or throw money at me if you see me on the road. Thanks all. Bye for now.