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southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Isle of Wight Autumn 2007 Day 4 |
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Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 5 | ||
The weather is dry but dull, but the company certainly isn't, as we have a laughter filled day with Jill, our Step-by-Step leader once again. | ||
We
start at Alum Bay and pause by the monument to Marconi. He was born in
1874 and moved to England in 1896 after the Italian post office refused
to test his new wireless equipment. His mother was a Jameson of whisky
fame. He wanted to promote his work on the wireless telegraphy and
England was the obvious place. In 1897 he chose Alum Bay as one of the
sites for his experiment. He erected a 40 metre mast outside the Needles
Hotel from where he transmitted to the Haven Hotel in Poole nearly 20
miles away. Experiments were carried out for about a year, including one
involving a link-up between the Prince of Wales, on the Royal Yacht
Osborne and Queen Victoria at Osborne House. Marconi then transferred
his attention to cross-channel links. . |
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We look
towards that icon of the Isle of Wight, the Needles. . |
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And follow
the road . |
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Looking back
to the coloured sands . |
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We reach the
old battery . |
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Continuing
through . |
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To see the
Needles close up . |
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We then walk
towards Tennyson Down, where we have a coffee stop in the shelter of
trees and bushes. Jill ropes some of us for an impromtu poetry reading,
and we "do" The Lady of Shalott and The Charge of the Light
Brigade - a memorable experience for all
concerned . |
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We then
climb up to the Celtic Cross memorial . |
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And read the
inscription . |
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We continue
down .. |
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Towards
Freshwater Bay . |
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Where we
have a memorable light lunch in the Fat Cat . |
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We then head
north up the Yar Valley . |
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Through the
reed beds . |
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To emerge by
the start of the estuary . |
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Quite a few
birds . |
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To watch . |
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We continue
on to Yarmouth where an ice cream beckons for many of us. We have
completed another 8 miles and everyone has throughly enjoyed the relaxed
pace. In the evening we are entertained by a magician at the Hotel. A
magic day! . |
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Photos by Patrick | ||
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Day 5 | ||