A 1968 Isle of Wight holiday featured in https://derrickjknight.com/2021/10/12/a-knights-tale-49-shanklin/
It will soon become clear why a day trip taken with Elizabeth, Rob, Adam, and Danni in the mid 1980s is somewhat hazy in my mind. In fact given the haziness of my mind on that occasion this is probably an accurate presentation. Jessica, Sam, Louisa, and I were spending a weekend with my sister and her family at The Firs, in Hampshire’s West End, when we decided to take a ferry trip to the island.
I woke in the morning feeling decidedly groggy and nevertheless, not prepared to put the kibosh on the day, insisted on continuing with the plan. It was probably on the journey over that, wrapped in a blanket I dozed in the bar downstairs – probably on the way back, too. All I remember is a quartet of children queuing to ask for money to feed the food and drink dispensing machines. Head buried beneath the blanket, I would stretch out an arm, on the end of which was a handful of coins. This was gradually stripped clean.
When we arrived wherever we found ourselves I staggered into the nearest churchyard, fell onto a generously proportioned gravestone, and slept soundly until the others returned from whence they had wandered.
We next stayed with our friends Sarah and Howard at Bembridge in August 2000. On their local beach
Jessica and Heidi towed Emily and Oliver in our dinghy;
Howard helped Jessica into their small yacht,
while Michael took over dinghy duties.
While there we took a trip to Sandown’s Yaverland Beach. Is this a special stone Emily is displaying?
Jessica tows Emily and Oliver in the dinghy;
then Oliver romps on the sand with his Dad who rows him out to sea.
Although we now live so close to the Isle I have never visited it since.
It sounds like you woke up feeling ill, and it was not from the ferry ride. Sleeping on a gravestone for the day does not sound good.
The photos from that day contain so many sweet memories, including ones of two people who have passed on, Jessica and Michael. The camera was a wonderful invention. It doesn’t bring them back, but somehow it feels like one can still touch them.
I’m pleased you realised that Lavinia – as, of course, you would. Thank you very much
Well said, Lavinia.
Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Lavinia.
<3
Goodness, Derrick, what we do for our kids. I can remember feeling like that on occasion but making the best of it. I’m glad that whatever ailed you was short-lived.
Just a short lived bug, Alys. Thanks very much
Too bad you haven’t returned to the Isle of White. You are generous to call the sailboat a yacht. Lovely photos and story.
Thank you very much, Pat. I am a mere landlubber
Such good memories. Makes me long for summer
Thank you very much, VJ
Lavinia’s comment is so perceptive and empathetic.
The photos are lovely. I was particularly taken with the one of Emily.
The image of you sprawled asleep on a gravestone is vivid, even without a photo.
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re very welcome.
Thank you, Merril.
You’re very welcome.
Beautiful memories you’ve captured in photos
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome have a great weekend
The header photo conveys such joy, a fitting tribute to your son.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
Oh dear, Derrick. It is as well that we cannot really tell what lies ahead of us.
Yes. Thank you very much, Anne
Holiday memories are good even if they get distorted. Most are good ones. Right?
Yes. Thanks a lot, Chrissy
I’d say it was a ‘Mersey’ your ferry trip was so easy, if not exactly sharp in memory!
I’m pleased you got that, Linda. Thank you very much
Lavinia’s comment says it all. These photos are wonderful, Derrick but tug at the heart-strings, too. I am glad you recovered quickly from that bug.
Thank you very much, Clare
They made the most of the day at the beach ~ making good memories.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Well, good for the kids and their request for coins. 😉
🙂 Thanks a lot, Laurie
Were you ill, Derrick? Wonderful photos..to fill you in on the day.
Just a 24 hour bug, Judy. Thanks very much
Hard to be ill on holiday, although it doesn’t look like it ruined the fun of others. Just sorry you couldn’t participate.
Thanks a lot, Judy. It left us with a good story 🙂
It is really amazing what we cannot remember from the relatively distant past.
Thanks a lot, John
Oh, what a shame you missed their fun – thank goodness for photographs. You should take that ferry again.
Thanks very much, Sue
Wonderful photos, Derrick. Thank you for sharing. <3
Much appreciated, Jodie X
xoxo
Looks like wonderful dreams to remember. What a fun time at the beach!
What a nice outing, save for your not feeling well. I have a problem with graveyards and would not be able to sleep on a tombstone but good for you that you were able to and sleep off whatever bug you had caught.
Thanks very much, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick
Looks like a trip filled with fun.
It was, Mrs W. Many thanks
Your welcome.
The sea looks terribly cold, though it must have been warm enough considering everyone’s attire.
Warm enough later in the summer. Thanks very much, Helen
?
A gravestone doesn’t sound like a comfortable place to nap – especially if you were already under the weather. ?
Thanks very much, AnneMarie. I was beyond caring
I don’t suppose the person under the gravestone cared much either. ?
🙂
The photo of Emily with the stone (?) is so adorable. Those dimples! And the series with Oliver and Michael (?) laughing and running in the waves is just great. What an outstanding capture of memories.
Thank you so much, Crystal