An excursion to distant lands

Ragged Rambling has possibly never been further from Norfolk!

So it was, with trepidation, excitement, nervousness, oh, and a bag full of hot cross buns, that an Antiquarian left the Norfolk homelands to travel south to the mystical Isle of Wight. Passport (to leave Norfolk) and suitcase in hand, the rambler stepped forth.

A fantastical mode of transport, known as 'Car Ferry' (any chance a distant relation to Pulls or Brian? - annotations and discussion please) was to be used to cross the waters safely.

'Car Ferry'

Upon arrival at the island, it was clear that the natives were very concerned for the safety of new travellers to their community, but the language was both strange and disconcerting. 

Message

What was the true meaning of the messages? 

Strange Creatures

And what was to be made of the brightly coloured  stationary creatures contained within their zoos?

The wisdom of information regarding the wooden companionway was indeed a revelation. Never before had it crossed an Antiquarian's grey matter that such a situation could befall the unwary visitor.

Miniature vehicle and passenger

New experiences and sights amazed the traveller. It was not expected that the island was to be of such small proportions and that fully grown natives were to be forced to travel the streets in miniature vehicles.

It was also a surprise that the island was to be a haven for churches and historical buildings of such beauty and variety. Could this land surpass the county of Norfolk for the most churches per square inch? Around every bend, through leafy lanes, avenues and alleyways (Christie, 1972), a building would reveal itself to the passers-by.

St Blasius - Shanklin - Info here

Holy Trinity - Ventnor - Info here

Holy Trinity - Bembridge - Info here

A large building of historical note, was the seaside home of Queen Victoria - Osborne House. Many rooms showed opulence and staggered the imagination as to how visitors to the estate were wined and dined.

Osborne House - The Seaside villa and
place of death of Queen Victoria - Info here

A final trip around one of the island's most famous landmarks brought peace and humility in the presence of scale, beauty and the passage of time - The Needles

An extremely worthwhile adventure which has whetted the apetite to revisit and explore further, to delve into the historical places and to fathom out the native messages.

--oo-- Thadeus Basil-Snapper (the third) --oo--