Isle of Wight

Caught the hovercraft over, after nearly missing it because the shuttle bus departed the station just as we were walking towards it.  ‘Shit!!!’ Said a man who was obviously a regular,  setting off in hot pursuit.  Nevertheless we made it. P and V decided we needed to go and see the Isle of Wight Grand National, a point-to-point set in fields with hunt jumps and a Shetland Pony gold cup.  It was magical to see the horses running not on a race course but across the open fields and jumping hedges while, and I kid you not a steam train chuffed behind them.  I am sorry that I gazed at this sight and didn’t photograph it. The children on the ponies ran a more regular course. 

After a delicious late lunch we walked on the beach as the sun was going down and as always the Solent yielded lovely views.  I couldn’t live there and do the work I do but living by the sea means living alongside constant change and beauty, even off the south coast with Portsmouth on the horizon.  So energising!