PHOTOGRAPHS A record of travels round the Isle of Wight Click the green links to see the photographs Waverley A nostalgic day trip round the Island on the paddle steamer PS Waverley 19 September 2015 Headon Warren Walking across heathland high up on West Wight with views across Alum Bay to West High Down and The Needles, towards the Dorset coast, and across the Solent to Hurst Castle and the New Forest; tea and cakes at Norton Green 20 September 2015 Tennyson Down From the chalk pit south of Totland, walking up to Tennyson's Monument and along the grassy ridge towards West High Down with views to the north across the Solent and to the south across the English Channel; tea and cakes at Norton Green 27 September 2015 St Catherine's Point Starting from the National Trust car park, walking over the bumpy grassland of the undercliff towards the farmland and beach near the southern tip of the Island; tea and cakes at Norton Green 4 October 2015 Brook Hill Walking from Hulverstone up Pay Down and Chessel Down with views along the south-west coast of the Island, returning along the bee-populated drive of Brook House; tea and cakes at Norton Green 18 October 2015 Newtown Setting off rom the National Trust Car Park opposite Newtown Old Town Hall, through fields and woodland to the marshy saltings of Newtown Harbour; tea and cakes at Norton Green 25 October 2015 Needles Headland A bus trip on the Needles Breezer to visit the Needles Old Battery, the rocket testing sites and the Needles Viewpoint above Scratchells Bay with mainland friends 26 October 2015 Carisbrooke Farms Parked on the road from Carisbrooke to Gatcombe, taking the Shepherds' Trail round the south side of Carisbrooke Castle, down cart tracks with views of a fertile valley and back past farms; tea and cake at Michelle's 1 November 2015 Mottistone Starting from Mottistone National Trust car park, in a loop across farmland to the south and then, crossing the Brighstone Road, climbing through coppiced woodland to the Longstone on its sandy ridge; back down hill close to Mottistone Manor; tea and cakes at norton Green 22 November 2015 Beside the River Yar Up the eastern side of the river along the old railway track with five dogs to The Red Lion; a brief rest there and then back with just three dogs down the western side of the river and across the bridge home; Red Setter had to abort close to the start, Jojo at the Red Lion 6 December 2015 The Needles From the old chalk pit, up the gentle slope to the commemorative beacon and then along the broad grassy ridge of West High Down to the Needles viewpoint; back along the lower path on the north slope of the down; tea and cake s at the Pottingers 27 December 2015 Headon Warren Another walk to Headon Warren as on 20 September; more blustery on this occasion, but we managed to avoid the rain squalls; cups of tea at Seapie Corner 10 January 2016 Shorwell and Chillerton A glorious winter day's walk; up along the chalk ridge from Shorwell post office, across the clay valley and up the grassy hill to Chillerton radio mast; back along the slope of the valley to the village; back for tea and cakes at Michelle's 17 January 2016 Hamstead and Newtown Cars parked along Hamstead Avenue; a long straight gravel road to Hamstead Farm and the big House; down the muddy lane to the shore; across waterlogged fields, boardwalks and squelchy footpaths past duck shooting butts to the landing stage; return past barns and an abandoned sawmill for a long energetic five mile walk; back for tea and cake at Jennie's 24 January 2016 Around Tennyson Down Alan Hamilton writes: "The dogs were fed up with last week's mud bath, so this week we went on Tennyson Down, which was happily lacking in the gloopy stuff. After steep ascent we walked down to the Bay and back to the car, followed by a climb up to the Beacon and back to the Monument before descent back to the car. The three dogs revelled in the short grass and ran around in high speed circles. Back to Seapie Corner for tea and cake" 31 January 2016 West High Down Alan Hamilton writes: "The dogs took us up from Alum Bay to the Needles and back via a windy walk to the Beacon. Pixie modelled the latest doggie fashion accessory - a pink jumper, and Buster had a roll to try the latest scent sensation - eau de sheep poo. Penny behaved herself. I missed the picture of the day of John Dexter climbing up the steep path on all fours because of the wind. We returned to Seapie Corner for tea and cake, happily watching the rain arrive after we had got indoors." 7 February 2016 Niton and the Pepperpot Alan Hamilton writes: "Penny & Buster rescued Molly from watching fence panels being put up and joined Pixie at Blackgang. We walked along the cliff top to Niton, past the church and up St Catherine's Down to the Pepperpot. Rather muddy in parts, so the dogs were bathed in the car park before returning home. Well earned tea and cake at Seapie Corner rounded off a splendid afternoon." 14 February 2016 Golf Course Today was windy, but mild and dry. We went to Freshwater Bay Golf Course, walked along the ridge of Compton Down to the east with the wind behind us and returned in the lee of the hill. Not too strenuous, and delightful to have the soft springy downland turf underfoot. Afterwards all bar one of the dogs were returned to owners but Pixie and nine of us retired to Seapie Corner for tea and cake by the fire 21 February 2016 Whitwell Today Chris, Jay and John went AWOL. Alan writes: "Pixie, Penny & Buster took us over to Whitwell for a walk today. Michelle Whitehurst, Carol and The Bat Professor and I went through Nettlestone to the cliffs above St Lawrence. Despite the cold wind there were signs of spring—celandines blooming in the hedgerows and the beautiful song of a skylark from the sky above." 28 February 2016 Sue's Birthday Today we had a special walk for Sue on the day before her birthday, Sue had told herself she would fulfil a promise to her family that she would walk to Tennyson's Monument on her birthday. So on a blustery Saturday with many of her family and a group of friends she walked there from The Needles. 5 March 2016 Rowridge Alan writes: "Today Buster, Penny and Pixie took us up on to Brighstone Down and up past the Gallibury Hump, through Rowridge Farm and back along the Tennyson Trail. There were spectacular views over the Solent to Southampton Water and Portsmouth, and paths through woods where the wild garlic is pushing through. There was a brief conversation with a 'hare' before he continued running followed minutes later by the Island Bloodhounds and a cavalry charge of horses and riders. We went back to the Bat and Cat's for tea and cake, having ventured down to Stalag Luft Noke Common to see Dumbledore the Muscovy Duck and his new girlfriend, Luna." 6 March 2016 Alongside the Yar Alan wrote: "The little dogs took us on the Sunday walk along the river Yar today. The party split after the walk along the old railway to Freshwater with Sue, Carol and John D having a gentle stroll to the bus stop. They missed the return along the western side of the river, which was much muddier. Lord T declined to tramp through yet another muddy gate, so climbed over the style instead. After washing the dogs it was tea and some very nice cakes at Carol's" 13 March 2016