I went to school on the island and left a piece of my heart here. And so I returned.
(Above) Sunset sail. Southampton to Cowes on the Red Funnel Car Ferry. The sun sets in the west over the New Forest. I still make this journey.

(Above) Gurnard Sailing Club, good launch point for paddle boards and kayak.

(Above) Gurnard promenade. Picnic and benches here for sundowners. Thick gorse bushes line the front (gorse is a very powerful remedy for hopelessness).
(Above) Shorwell. Lovely place for a ramble and there’s a gorgeous riverside pub that is 300 years old. Walk into the small village to check out the tiny stalls with ‘trust boxes’ (take what you want and put the money in the box).
Sometimes, it’s just nice to stay close to home. This is a peaceful corner off the little lanes of Alverstone. It’s so peaceful at sunset, with the geese in the water, especially with the young ones venturing out with their parents (early May). And of course, the majestic swans and their cygnets come here too.

I love the trees that grow in the nature reserves of Alverstone. And so I started journaling about them. One day, this may turn into a published book. But for now, it is just my personal record of the seasons. I take inspiration from Dostoevsky’s notebooks:

Follow Our Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.