You've Got to Admit at 90 years old It's Impressive.

And we're off!

 And just over 20mph it feels more like 90mph :(

 Whew!  Thank goodness we're only going just around the corner.

It's the 19th Lymington Rotary Summer Spectacular.

In the past I have visited this spectacle with my son and his family.  My granddaughters have enjoyed the bouncy castle and pony rides in their time.  My son has enjoyed looking at the cars and my daughter in law and I have quite liked the gift and clothing stalls would you believe :)

Never did I think I'd be taking the road to Lymington Summer Spectacular in a 90 year old Austin 7!

Co-owned with a couple of friends and now named Myrtle.

I have to admit she is rather cute and quite fun.

A bit of marshalling required...

As Malcolm had been asked to help with the marshalling it was an early start for us and we arrived at 8.30am.  

We pulled up beside another chap who had bought three Austins of different makes and ages.  

Nope!  Don't even think about it Malcolm!

All sorts of cars turned up for this event.  All shapes and sizes and different ages.

Of course, Malcolm was in his element getting up close and personal with these vehicles. 

Although he got a little confused when .......

the Bentley joined the lineup?  

Oh I'd like to bring to your attention the extra passenger on the back seat.

(explanation = my Essential Images Teddy Bear, with photography prop of hat which I thought was very appropriate and a little hamper that my grandchildren used to play with many years ago!)  

Well, we all know what a softy I am and we thought it was a bit of fun.

Essential Images Teddy got a lot of 'ohs' and 'ahs' - almost as much as the car - well nearly :)

But not quite as many as this little chap to be totally honest.  How cute is that?

I don't think this chappie was interested in Ethel the Essential Images teddy bear either, do you?

Umm?  Think it might have been the engine?

No interest in cars or teddies for this little dog.  He was only interested in keeping cool and found a place for doing just that.

Well, of course, this is not all about cars.  There are plenty of things to do and lots to see.  Also plenty of food and drink choices.

It was a boiling hot day so I opted for some iced coffee from Taste the Bean.

And a piece of Blueberry and Lemon cake from Fiona @realfood

Fiona's food is truly scrumptious and there was no way we were leaving without having a piece of her cake.

I think the handmade fudge must have been quite delicious too.  It certainly got the attention of these two gorgeous little girls.  Aren't they cute.

Time for the off then.

Ah I think someone wants a lift?  Be my guest.

I took a much more comfortable ride in a much later model - quite a new edition of a Discovery actually :)

Sweet Myrtle is very cute and at 90 years old is very impressive. 

I'm sure she has some stories to tell.
Now that would be interesting wouldn't it......could we find out d'you think?

Until the next time .... safe travels all.

A Sunday in Godshill and You Can be Forgiven if you Think You're in a Time Warp

Malcolm had an appointment in Godshill on IOW.  Knowing I love a trip to the island he said 'd'you want to come'?  

Well, of course, I want to come!

But I wasn't expecting this ..... going back in time.

We pulled up at The Old Smithy and the car park was being invaded by Classic Cars!  The smile on Malcolm's face was from ear to ear and, of course, he was deep in conversation without any delay!

When I could prise him away from these amazing little cars, he went off on his appointment and I sauntered around The Old Smithy's pretty landscaped garden.

Then a wander through this quaint little village of Godshill.

I didn't venture in to Godshill Cider or Candy Cottage mainly because there was so much more to see and I wasn't sure how much time I'd have.

 There's a model village here too, which I'd love to go back and see some time. 

This village is only small but there's so much to see and explore.  Many cute little shops, tea rooms and, of course, the odd pub or two.

When Malcolm returned we felt a little hungry so we opted for Sunday lunch, well it was Sunday after all.   

I have to admit peeking 😉 in the window of the Taverners earlier at someone's lunch, which looked good so opted for there.

Absolutely love these little squidgy table numbers you're given when you order your meal!

Highly recommend this pub!

As you can see the Sunday roast is a gastronomic delight 👇 

More Classic Cars?

You'll have to forgive me if I seem to be posting images of many Classic Cars on this occasion, but Sunday here you definitely go back in time and apparently it is Isle of Wight Austins meet up most Sundays in the car park at The Old Smithy.  It's absolutely lovely.  

Me thinks we maybe going to visit again 😉

Before I go I need to post an image of my favourite .....

So in Godshill on a Sunday and you can be forgiven if you think you're in a time warp ............

Thanks for visiting ..... see you next time.
Remember if you have anywhere you'd like to share with us ..

GET IN TOUCH

The Highs and Lows of Madeira

Madeira is a wonderful escape.  A beautiful Portuguese island blessed with fabulous massive ferns and exotic plants. 

Nearly two years now since our last visit but still remains firmly in our memory and it felt right somehow to do another post on this amazing island.

Oh and it would be rude not to mention the banana plants.  All over the island, absolutely incredible and look as if they are some prehistoric species :) 

The capital of Madeira is Funchal where you'll find International Hotels, vibrant restaurants and contemporary art spaces.   With its cafes and bars spilling into narrow alleyways it's hardly any wonder that it's buzzing with tourists and definitely a place to visit.

We stayed in Calheta which is much quieter but visited Funchal for a day and definitely wouldn't have wanted to miss it.

The highs ....

The cable car ride is a must for panoramic views over Funchal. 

I'm not much of an adventurer and a little nervous about doing anything out of the ordinary, but it would have been daft not to do this!

 As you can see, I'm smiling so it couldn't be that scary :)

Sadly we went just after the fires and some of the scenes below us were devastating.  People who had lost their homes to flames started purposely is hard to believe.  More on this in a previous blog.

Please, if anyone is lucky enough to go sometime soon, can you take some photos from the cable car to confirm that some of this beauty has been restored.  It would be lovely if you can share with us by email.  Happy to credit you with the images.  We just want to know all is well once more.

The lows .....

Ah you see I mean at ground level!  You must walk along the promenade, actually you'll have to, to get to and from the Cable car.

Take the kids to sit in the ice cream cones and buy ice cream of course!  Plenty of choice here and delicious.

And apparently the Madeira's own coca cola is Brisa which comes in different flavours.  Brisa Marecuja is the most popular made from the juice of purple passion fruit.  I haven't tasted it but if you do, let us know!

Oh and for the adults Poncha is the Madeira drink of choice, specially for celebrations.  It's made from sugar-cane rum, honey, sugar and lemon juice.  Yes, indeed, absolutely delicious, easy to drink and very potent.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

Where to stay.  Well of course we can only recommend where we stayed in Calheta at The Savoy 

However, there are many many places, of course, and if you can recommend please get in touch we're always pleased to hear of recommendations.

There is so much to see and do and I could go on for ages ...... but if you want to know more ......

Another high is the tropical gardens which is at the top, once you disembark the cable car!  Prepare to be amazed :)

If you're going you will be sure to have a truly wonderful experience.
Enjoy and be sure to share with us!

And we will be sure to share with you another beautiful island very soon. :) 

Bye for now and as they say in Portuguese 'Tchau' 
See you soon = te vejo em breve

Wherever You Go Becomes Part of You Somehow

Short and sweet today.

This quote 'Wherever you go becomes part of you somehow'

gave me plenty of 'food' for thought.

And oh so true ..... how easy it is to fall in love with wherever you are.

Calheta, Madeira

Raft Rocks, Milford on Sea

The Noisy Lobster, Avon Beach

Le Petit Cafe, Guernsey

Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa Malta

Marsaxlokk

Terrone, Marsaxlokk, Malta

Costa Smeralda Sardinia

Waters Edge, Gurnard

Corinthia Hotel & Spa, Attard, Malta

Exbury Gardens

Braxton Gardens Lymington

Antigua

And you can see why they say travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.

..... and a little heavier :)  

Ah yes...be rude not to sample the food and drink wouldn't it? 

Staycations or vacations wherever you go it will become a part of you for sure.

Can't wait to go on our next travels, coming soon.