Mark Sanger: Isle of Wight

Last weekend I attended Wight Wood Turners for an all day demo. Not having been to the island for over 30 years it was decided to go for a long weekend as a family, So Liz booked us The Beach Retreat and we left for the ferry at Lymington arriving there in good time to make it to the Beach Retreat to watch the sun setting over the Solent, with the beach being only a short distance away across a small field.

There is something beautiful and magical watching the sun set here are some pictures taken on two of the evenings.

Here are a few of the neighbours.

Wading birds were also regular visitors.

My daughters taking in the view, all of the entertainment had to be self generated as there was only solar powered electricity for the lights with the heating being provided via a wood-burning stove, no phone, no computer, no television , it was heaven to say the least.

So in the evenings it was a short walk to the beach with refreshments in hand, drift wood was collected and I showed Liz and my daughters how to build a fire, sausages were cooked on a BBQ, and we spent the evening watching the sun set and the boats go by.

Then after the first evening it was up and away for the demo at Wight Woodturners.

Thank you to Michael Graves, chairman, and to all the members for a warm welcome and a great day. The below pictures were kindly taken by David Woodford, copyright remains that of David Woodward and are used with kind permission.

Refining the top curve.

Finishing cuts with the traditional grind.

Hollowing with the spindle gouge.

Finishing the base.

After a wonderful day and on returning to the retreat we all headed for the beech again for another BBQ.

The following day was a chance to have a look around the Island, so first off was a visit to Arreton Village
which is 1000 yrs old , has a 12 century church and barns that are full of craft makers/artisans working in glass, ceramics and woodcarving.

Wood carving of George and the Dragon.

Bethany standing next to an old anchor outside of a maritime museum.

Spring is certainly here.

Then it was onto the model village a short drive away.The models are amazing and well worth a visit.

The following pictures are of the bark of a tree within the grounds, the textures were amazing.

After a great day it was back to the Retreat to relax with another fire with my family and to watch the sun setting again, something that I never get bored of,

Early morning mist.

Then it was off for a full English at a waterside cafe in Gurnard and a last chance to take in the view and relaxed atmosphere.

Then finally on route to the ferry we stopped at the Needles and took a trip on the chair lift to the beach to take some pictures of the view and to look at the amazing colourful rock formations within the cliffs.