|
Posted: Tuesday 13 May 2008
Manchester Associates Five-day Trip to the Isle of Wight
- 14th to 18th April, 2008 -
Monday: It was a dry bright morning in April when 106 Associates boarded three coaches in Manchester Plant car park at 7.00am for the long journey south to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Our first shock was to be a brown envelope containing a five pound note towards our spends, which was much needed for the three motorway stops en-route to Portsmouth.
We then boarded the ferry for the short journey across the Solent to Ryde, continuing along the quiet roads of the island to our destination resort, where the Shanklin Beach Hotel was to be our home of the next four days.
We arrived at 6.00pm just in time to enjoy the evening meal.
The hotel was situated on the sea front, sandwiched between a cliff face and the beach.
After dinner most were really tired and ready for an early night, despite the attraction of the entertainment laid on for us in the main function room.
Tuesday: Everybody was up bright and early, ready for an excellent breakfast after which the party split. One group left and joined a boat trip to view Portsmouth Dockyard during which they got a full history of the British Navy during the war years.
The rest of the party travelled to Alum Bay to view the Needles, one of the sights of the island, followed by an interesting journey passing the Donkey Sanctuary and the towns of Newport and Godshill.
Arriving at the IoW Pearl Centre a wonderful selection of pearls and jewellery of all kinds was on display - and for sale. Also on display was a white dress, covered in pearls, which once belonged to Princess Diana.
We all reconvened at the hotel for a great meal followed by evening entertainment complete with a Norman Wisdom tribute, and other stars finished off with lots of singing and dancing.
Wednesday: By now the fine weather was totally established and today was an opportunity to have a free day and a number took the opportunity to find out if the new bus passes would be accepted on the local services. Many managed to visit far-flung places on the island, others using the cliff-top lift to the beach and later taking the miniature railway along the promenade.
We finished off as before with more drinking, singing and dancing.
Thursday: Today was for most of us the highlight of the holiday, with most of the party visiting Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s holiday retreat up until her death in 1901.
The rest travelled to Cowes, calling on the way at the Arreton Barn Craft Village with displays of local crafts, woodcarvings, lavender and lace - whilst many made for the tearooms and souvenir shop.
On arrival we saw the Royal Yacht Club and the Solent where the famous Cowes Royal Regatta and Yacht Race are staged every year, then onwards to Ryde observing the hovercraft, which travels quickly to the mainland in 15 minutes.
Another toy train ride to view the town, following which a party of nine retired to a local hostelry to share experiences of another great trip organised by the Manchester Social Committee.
Our final night in the function room was completed with a local singer giving his all with plenty of time to sing and dance.
Friday: An early start saw the coaches away at 8.00am via the ferry to Portsmouth, then heading back north to Manchester to arrive home in the late afternoon.
 |
Our thanks to the skill of the National Holidays coach drivers who
despite the numerous hold-ups with roadworks and heavy traffic got us
back on time.
|
Thanks also to John Greatbanks for once again organising a great holiday.
Dilys Bray
pictures: unknown
(ph 13/05/2008)
|
