Ventnor Blog

We all know how there’s a great desire for a bargain on the Island (we _love_ a bargain), but beyond getting paid to take something away, you’re not going to find a cheaper price than free.

To indulge your passion for a bargain, there’s no better place to look than on FreeCycle. It’s an email-based mailing list that has groups all over the world - amazingly it’s now got over 4,000. In the UK alone there’s 412 covering over 600,000 members.
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With the Islander tickets coming up for sale tomorrow, I thought I’d try and remind you why it’s such a brilliant event (it’s easy to forget … well, everything while you’re there).

I was highly impressed with Bestival 2006. We missed it the previous year, due to having to be off the Island, and were kicking ourselves ever since - but 2006 made up for that.

Highlights
There’s so much going on at Bestival that each and every person who goes, will have an experience that is unique to them. Here’s some of the best bits I came across as I floated through.

The Bays (Blue Pavilion tent) played an amazing set. Their hook, which I’m sure you’re aware of, is that they never record their music, only play live. Each track brimming with energy, stonking rhythms, pounding bass, topped off the two frantic keyboard players.

Bella the Cello (Wonderland tent). No prizes for guessing what she was playing, the innovation here was how she did. Using a foot controlled sampler, she looped sections of her performance to build layers of extraordinary power.

DJ Yoda. If you’ve heard him before, you’ll know what he can turn out. Witnessed tons of happiness in the crowd and a captivating buzz.

The vast majority of people were in fancy dress during most of Saturday, with so many putting in considerable efforts to get dressed up. Jollity abounds. Mostly they were highly amusing with a couple, deeply disturbing.

The mix of people is something to behold, as good friend Ali put it, “It’s ABSO to Tally Ho!”

Low-lights
I had to scratch around for these, as they were far and few between.

Can someone please tell me what all of the fuss about the Scissor Sisters is? Beyond their clearly well-known poppy single that they played near the end of the set, I thought the rest of it sounded like Elton John, going through his fallow period. My views didn’t seem to be held by the majority who filled the arena of the Main stage.

Mobile reception around the site was patchy, which lead to extended periods of being disconnected from loved ones.

Queues for drinks raised a few moans, but I don’t think I’ve been to an event that hasn’t had that gripe at one time or another.

Themes
Balloons were everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever see so many.

Summary
Hats, wigs’n'all off to Rob, Josie, John and Ziggy and the rest of the Bestival crew. They’ve done an amazing job to build from a standing start three years ago to an event that encompasses so much variety and brings happiness to so many people.

They deliver on the promise that The Big Chill once had.

It’s a truly extraordinary way to spend a few days. It’s got it all.

If you happen to know any idiots, and heaven knows sometimes you can’t avoid bumping in to them these days (we certainly have), do us all a favour and tell them Bestival is rubbish. We don’t want them to spoil the smiles and jollity.

The only question is, what’s going to happen in future years, as the word spreads ever wider and more people want to come along to play (especially after strong reviews in the Sun - “If you missed Bestival then more fool you”). It’s not clear that the Robin Hood site can take any more people, as it appears stretched to capacity already.

With the rumours circling that there’s “some headliners that you won’t believe,” it’s bound to be a killer event again this year.

Score 9/10
(only because 10/10 perfection is near impossible to attain)

Sal was kind enough to ask me to review the Bestival for VentnorBlog . . . i’d been dithering for weeks about whether to go or not . . . i knew i really wanted to - it’s always been a pretty special festival, and it would be a chance to catch up with many Island friends, particularly those that live as far away as Ventnor - and maybe even a few emgires and mainlanders . . .

. . . but i’d been pfaffing about organizing it . . . because part of me knew that it might not necessarily be a good idea to go at all . . . in fact, it might be an absolute and total bloody disaster . . .
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Summary
Highly recommended. The only thing that would beat this type of journey into London would be a helicopter … or a time machine.

Quick Review
Ups
Journey time
Convenience
Views

Downs
Cost
Need to get used to riding in small aircraft

Score (ignoring cost) : 9/10

Why does the Isle of Wight need an airline?
Getting off the Island can be a bit of a chore. As we all know, it usually involves fighting through traffic on the mainland or taking to most forms of transport - a bus, Island Line tube train, boat/hover over the water and then a train at the other end.

It also takes a fair amount of time. Starting with the Bus Link in Ventnor to Shanklin station, it takes just over the three hours including all of the connections.

Having little option but to use this jumble of carriage, I’d accepted it and saw it as a way of getting work done, while enjoying the relative peace and quiet away from an Internet connection.

It’s with this in mind that Chris Williams setup Wight Airlines to fly to London.

Knowing that I needed to be in London on Wednesday last week, I thought I’d try the service out to rather than battle the trains.

A quick call to Wight Airlines (Wight Airways as some people have called it) confirmed that there was a space on the flight for the next day. (Thanks to Chris for sorting out a seat on the plane so I could write this review)

The Flight from the Isle of Wight to London City Airport
Waking at a normal hour, rather than the usual crack of dawn, Sal and Alpha gave me a lift over to Sandown airport for a very relaxed 9:45, as requested. If you’re leaving your car, there’s free parking available.

We sat down with the provided hot drinks and watched as the pilots made their preparations.

Getting on to the twin-engined plane at 10:15 with the other two paying passengers we hopped into our comfy seats and buckled up. Following the safety procedures, we taxied down the runway with pilot and co-pilot in control at the front.

I’ve not often been in small planes, but had taken a few propeller flights before, so as we bobbed down the grass it was all new and exciting and soon we were waving goodbye to Sandown.

The weather was a little overcast, so visibility wasn’t going to be great, but we had a chance to see Ryde and its pier before we entered the clouds.

With not much to look at - well frankly nothing, I got stuck into some work on my laptop.

A mere 30 minutes later we were emerging from the clouds with our nose pointing down towards the runway at City airport, which is located in the old Royal Docks.

After briefly chatting to the other passengers about their reasons for taking the flight I jumped off the plane straight through the doorway the plane was parked just by. Within five minutes I was sitting on the DLR train heading for the West End, where I arrived 38 minutes later, just slightly longer than the time it had taken to travel from the Isle of Wight!

The flight from London to the Isle of Wight
I quickly rushed through City airport and its security with none of the queues you’d normally associate with travelling by air (note this was before the recent ’security’ palaver, so I don’t know if that’s changed). Jumping on the plane, we were up in the cloud-free sunshine in no time.

We were instantly rewarded with views of London that were so amazing that is felt like a real privilege to see them. Besides not normally flying over this section of London (the City) and to be doing it at a relatively low height, with this size plane you also have the advantage of having the freedom to look around - on the right, left and behind yourself.

As we flew over Surrey, looking back through the windows, the view was London as far as you could see. It really gives you an understanding as to why it’s one of the world’s major cities - it’s vast.

The trip was worth it alone for the extraordinary views we saw on the way back.

One thing to be aware of is that the flight will not be as smooth as most flights that you’ve been on. Depending on the day, there can be some turblance, which you do get used to, it’s just that we’ve been conditioned by large planes into assuming it will be as smooth as a mill pond.

Within thirty minutes we were passing over the south of the mainland and seeing the welcoming site of the Island. A few minutes later we were landing on the grass runway of Sandown airport arriving just after five o’clock.

Chatting to fellow passengers, all of them were impressed with the service, saying that they’d recommend and would most likely use it again.

I’d heartily recommend the flight, if the money isn’t an issue. It’s surely the quickest way to get from the Island to London. With stunning views thrown in for free.

The Future
One of the requests from some of the forty passengers that had been carried by 9 August has been to get to London earlier and leave later.

Chris tells me that he can’t land in London any earlier as City airport charges another £350 if he lands before 10 o’clock. The fees also go up considerably if he leaves after 16:25 on the way back.

If demand is sufficient, the 6 seater plane they’re now using have may be replaced by a 16 seater (LAT 410), with the current plane being used for routes to Southampton and Bournmouth.

At least two of the passengers were residents in Bembridge and asked if their local airport could be used (it being closer to home for them). Gladly (for Ventnor residents) Sandown airport is better suited as Bembridge is narrow and shorter.

Pricing
Monday & Friday
Sandown (09:20) -> London City (10:05) £101.36
London City (10:35) -> Sandown (11:20) £94.36
Sandown (15:10) -> London City (15:55) £94.36
London City (16:25) -> Sandown (17:10) £94.36

Wednesday
Sandown (09:20) -> London City (10:05) £94.36
London City (10:35) -> Sandown (11:20) £94.36
Sandown (15:10) -> London City (15:55) £94.36
London City (16:25) -> Sandown (17:10) £94.36

There’s also return flights from £169 and flights to and from Guernsey.

Contact details
Wight Airlines
Phone: 01983 402 402
Web site

Click on any of the photos to see larger versions, or take a look at the set or sit back and watch the show.

All plans for a productive start to the day ended quite quickly on Sunday morning, after being woken up by young Alpha. We all decided that staying in bed for another half hour would be a better start.

So became the trend for the day.

A jungle of a garden beckoned, but before setting to work out there, we decided to take a wander down to Monks Bay, donning bikinis and trunks. What was supposed to be a short trip, ended up turning into an extended frolic on the beach and very soon we were in need of some refreshments.

With parched throats (and rumbling stomachs) we wandered towards the Horseshoe Bay House Restaurant.

We’ve walked past this place so many times and never bothered venturing up the wooden steps. A lawned area at the front of the restaurant had several tables over looking the sea, but sadly on closer inspection, all were reserved (a good indicator of popularity perhaps).

Thinking we wouldn’t bother staying on, because we wanted to sit outside on such a lovely day, we were surprised that inside was actually pretty inviting (and cool – not the artexed ceiling, but the temperature, that is). Being slightly higher up than the garden, you get a better vantage point of the sea and the room was light and airy.

A great and surprising menu, and very difficult to make a decision as everything sounded extremely tempting. I went for the king prawns in garlic butter served with watercress and crusty bread (£8.95). It was so good that Simon ordered another plate to have after he’d finished his very satisfying Greek salad (nice touch with the parma ham and fresh dates) (£7.95). It now officially being the summer, we opted for a dry Rose (£13) which was reasonable acceptable – but would probably go for something else next time.

Alpha went for the fantastically adventurous option of a cheese sandwich on brown. I felt it was overpriced at £4.50, especially as she ended up leaving half of it, and not surprising as it was a slab of cheese slapped between two pieces of plastic bread - the only let down of the meal. She made up for it, by having some Minghella for dessert. She’d spotted the ice cream fridge as soon as we walked into the restaurant - must be something in the genes!

The food was great, the service excellent - all waitresses being very pleasant and particularly attentive.

Clearly they are doing something right, as during the two hours we were sat at the table, there was a constant stream of customers. Despite this, we weren’t rushed or hassled to leave.

Infact it was so good, we’re treating ourselves again next Sunday! Top marks (almost) to the Horseshoe Bay House Restaurant. Hope we’re just as happy next time.

For this visit I give them 7/10. A great summer choice.

Horseshoe Bay House, Shore Rd, Ventnor, PO38 1RN 01983 856800

See it on Google Maps (it’s the building slightly to the left of the arrow).

Thanks to Peter Thomson for his shot of Monks Bay.