My Isle of Wight Adventure | Part Two

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You’ll find Part One of my Isle of Wight Adventure, here.

I guess it was a tad optimistic of me to expect the gentle warmth of sunshine to wake me. Instead I grimaced at the somber sky that spat at the windows and later shivered under my trembling umbrella, as I made my way to breakfast. Today we were going to cycle.

As it turned out, my lack of cycling experience and recovering immune system held me hostage within the dry and heated confines of our West Bay Club cottage, whilst my hard-core comrades and West Bay Resort’s extreme cyclist Stan, braved the ferocious weather and the steep and untamed off-road tracks of the Isle of Wight. I prayed I would see them again.

Four and a half hours later, 15 miles cycled and soaked to the bone, they returned, with the desire to do it all over again the next day. Crazy, I tell you! But even the locals said they were in awe of their determination to cycle in such weather conditions.

‘You’re in for a treat,’ we were told by our taxi driver that evening, as we drove to our dinner destination, Barefoot on the Beach. Still raining, we rushed towards the beach-side café, where we could watch the waves shudder and sprawl and the sun bid us a florid farewell, in comfort and whilst enjoying a supper full of delectable flavours. ‘Beach-side café’ is a rather modest description of what owner Fraser Jones has achieved; a blooming boutique restaurant with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and of course exquisite food, making for a delightful dining experience.

As the storm set in, the lights were dimmed and candles lit and three courses of heaven were devoured. To begin with, we indulged in chunks of freshly baked bread dipped into a concoction of sweet whole roasted garlic and rich olive oil – so simple, so good. Then came my main of whole lobster and chips. I gave little attention to the chips, but the lobster was consumed with well-deserved relish. I finished off my meal with a humble homemade brownie and vanilla ice-cream and a rather long flat-white, before heading back to our cottage and a serene slumber.

Useful Information and links:

^{Travelling from Southampton, return Isle of Wight Ferry travel with Red Funnel start at £45 for a short break. Red Funnel offers a great selection of Isle of Wight hotels on their website, with up to £50% off ferry travel if you book your accommodation with them. Call 0844 844 9988 or visit www.redfunnel.co.uk}

^{The West Bay Club is a holiday village on the Isle of Wight offering luxury self-catering accommodation in ‘New England’ cottages. 01983 760355 or visit www.westbayclub.co.uk}

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