Sunday 7 June 2009

Days Out

Last weekend we spent a lovely day on the Isle of Wight. I have always wanted to visit Osborne House where Queen Victoria holidayed but have just never got round to it. It was a beautiful day and the sea was very calm (I suffer from sea sickness just standing on a jetty waiting for the ferry usually!)

Our local pub where we live is called the Osborne View (because you can see Osborne House from it) so this is the view back to where we live on the mainland.

This is the bathing machine which the queen used when swimming. She was carried out into the sea in this so that she could keep her modesty and not been seen in her swimming apparel.


Because no cameras are allowed in any of the buildings I could only take photos of these which were in the restaurant. I love these shoes and the garden implements used by the children.








The gardens were beautiful. I particularly liked these foxgloves in the walled garden and these geraniums in the greenhouses.

We also went to Freshwater Bay and walked to this monument to Tennyson. Apparently he lived here and used to walk up to the top of this hill every day.



He was obviously very fit - it was a long walk up there!

The monument was erected by the British and American people. Towards evening we went to Yarmouth and came across a festival there with lots of stalls and a real carnival atmosphere. All the boats were decorated with lots of flags.



On Friday I went to Stansted Garden show which was fantastic. There was so much to look at (and buy). Apart from almost every plant you can think of (and at very reasonable prices) there was lots of gardenalia to look at and stalls selling other vintage items. I am definitely considering having a pitch there next year.

This was my favourite stall and I bought this plant support from them.

I bought a vintage fork and spade from this lady though there was a lot more I'd have like to have bought from her.


I also wanted this dovecote and this bronze water feature.




Here's a novel plant container!

I particularly like these driftwood 'bullrushes' too.

13 comments:

  1. What a lovely day out. I really enjoyed seeing your photographs. I like Queen Victorias bathing hut, I could do with one of these, although it would probably put Mr Kittens back out as he wheeled me into the sea!!! Its a shame some of the so called 'celebs' of today dont show the same degree of modesty and restraint Hee Hee! X

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  2. What a great day, and what wonderful photos. Very very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing those with us!!! Have a lovely evening!
    ♥ Teresa

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  3. How wonderful. I've never been and really must. I went to Isle of Wight a few years ago but just went to the festival! Killed my feet in the process.

    Vintage Kitten, what a marvellous photo of the lovely Liz.

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  4. Isle of White is a lovely place and your day out looked very interesting. We went there many years ago with friends and our 6 children! the sun was not about much but we did enjoy it. I wnet or rather was pushed onto a cablecar seat with my 2 year old I have never ben so scared, the man just plomped us in the samll chair before I had the chance to decline. Hub was holding the pram on his seat! I snapped so many pictures which were amazing, I should dig them out oneday and show you.
    Cx
    it is grey or horrible here!

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  5. lol...I think it must have been 91 when we went! I clung to Johanna pretending to reassure her while all the time it was hugging her that gave me courage! we stayed in a little campsite in a prefab type construction. I remember one of the beaches had a very unpleasant smell. The coastline is beautiful I remember well the drive along to Blackgang Chine.
    Cx

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  6. Lovely blue sky, not like today! The bathing hut is great, and Osborne House does look very interesting. I like the foxgloves. I added more to my garden last year and they are looking lovely now in full bloom. Thanks for the mention of the garden show. I googled it and discovered they hold one at Firle Place in the Spring, which is maybe closer for me to pay a visit? I would have been very tempted to buy vintage gardening implements, I have a couple of old forks sticking out the borders in my garden. I have really enjoyed reading this post, and looking at your photos. x

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  7. Wonderful photos! Osborne house looks a very interesting place to visit. Might get there one day.

    And all that gardenalia...wonderful place to browse.
    Margaret and Noreen

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  8. How gorgeous!
    I had a holiday in Ventnor a few years ago...
    It had a lovely old fashioned feel about the place and I loved the coastline from there to Osborne House..

    Now that vintage sale is my idea of heaven!!

    Michele x

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  9. Such blue skies you certainly had the weather for a grand day out!

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  10. Freshwater holds fond memories for me. There's a bench somewhere on the hill near the Tennyson monument in memory of my best friend. She lived in Freshwater for several years before she died in 1987.

    What a beautifully calm day. We came back from the IoW many years ago in storms. The ferry was delayed and the QE2 couldn't get into Southampton. It was the early 80s as I recall. Quite scary!

    Sue x

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  11. What a lovely place l think the bathing hut is fab and the garden show was great l also enjoyed your previouse post with the baby dresses l wish l had something like that from my past but sadly not, best wishes Pat

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  12. Hello Ruth

    What great days out. Although My sister lives on the IOW, I have not been to Osborne House since 1982. I must go back again as I have memories of a very good day out there. Your pictures were a wonderful reminder. Enjoyed your previous post too on the pretty little dresses!Adorable..
    Isabelle x

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  13. What a fabulous find! I would go bonkers in this garden site, SO many thanks for sharing the photos you took! You got yourself some awesome finds, and The bathing booth is just too cute!
    SMiles, Cyndi

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