Bye Ringwood, Hello Isle of Wight

A beautiful night at the Farmhouse (https://www.blashfordmanorfarmhouse.co.uk/gallery/) is behind us. After breakfast, we will pick up Dercia and drive to Southampton (as you know: this is where the Titanic set sail) to cross over to the Isle of Wight by ferry (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/lebensart/reise/5474679/Isle-of-Wight_Die-besten-Tipps#image-10223675066_beba7f5218_o_1533298243712533_v0_h).

From now on, according to the weather forecast: don't wait for the sun, learn to dance in the rain, because just like in Germany, England experienced a wonderful spring - until today.

Before breakfast, Andrea has the idea of taking a morning walk in the forest opposite, I like that. The weather is still good - I only wear the hood for dramatic effect.

After a refreshing shower, we go for breakfast - Andrea orders a Full English and I have porridge😊, before we bid BYE BYE to the wonderful Farmhouse and the great hosts Debbie and Martin (a side note: I received 10 out of 10 points from my fellow traveler for choosing the accommodation).

Arriving on the Isle of Wight... and it's no longer raining. On the contrary, the sky is getting clearer and the sun is shining.

We decide to visit the estate of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/).

For £18 per person (Andrea believed it only cost £4.75), we marvel at the huge arsenal. I must admit, my fellow travelers are even more interested in history than I am, I mainly look longingly out of the window and wonder when we will finally get out to enjoy the sun. Andrea and dear sister unknowingly stand in front of the family tree and let the staff explain each and every ancestor🤔.

But then it's time and we walk through the royal park to the beach, before walking back to the car via the Swiss Cottage (a hut where the couple's children played and where we also indulged our childlike desire to dress up). And: I receive 10 out of 10 points from my dear Andrea once again for the idea of visiting Osborne House.

But there's more, one great idea follows another:

1. I drive
2. We drive to the Needles

After about 45 minutes of driving through small English villages, we arrive at the rock formations, Andrea is proud of her driving skills (even though her repetitive "not so far to the left" didn't suggest it). With a view of the rocks and the sea, we walk along the coastal path and enjoy the impressions.

But nature soon demands its rights (🚺), and we have to make our way back. So we spontaneously stop at the Highdown Inn and look forward to the food, among other things. After a protein-rich quiche, burgers, fries, salad, and garlic bread, we head to the hotel in Shanklin (we hope Dercia can check in - adults only. We will see😊). But we won't miss out on the beautiful Compton Bay.