Last chance saloon

Just over a week ago we travelled by the Island Line from our base in Ryde to Shanklin, from where we were able to descend Shanklin Chine on the last day of its summer season.

Elaborate bench

One of the many elaborate benches providing rest on the way down the chine. This one did not appear to iron, wrought or otherwise, showing more yellow through the paint. At least I think that was this one. Something to check next time.

View from near the top

I  was not too convinced about the solidity of the timber frame holding up the top of the path. Plenty of timber but what about the fixtures?

All in all, lots to see, including plenty of carex pendula. There were also some strange jungle noises, which we thought might have been a tape, as at Paignton Zoo (briefly noticed at reference 5), but which turned out to be the noises made by some birds in cages, including some handsome budgerigars and finches. We were assured that the birds were all rescue birds, so that was all right.  Tea and cake in the café stroke heritage area, the cake taking the form of a rather unusual, but rather good almond tart. We wondered what was going to happen to the cakes unsold at close of play, it being the last day. Begonias on exit a little past their best but still a handsome display. See reference 4 for the last occasion, back in 2015.

Out to tweet what appeared to be a least one raven, being twice as big as the accompanying regular crow, and several kestrels over the cliffs. Also a rather grand public convenience. I forget whether it was still convenient, but it clearly dated from the glory days of this part of the coast, probably well over half a century ago now.

Public convenience

Quite by chance, we took lunch at the Beach Shack, on the esplanade between Shanklin and Sandown, one of the various beach cafés on this eastern coast of the Isle of Wight which have raised their game. This one served us two very good crab sandwiches. See reference 1.

From where BH thought she knew about a nifty shortcut to Sandown Station, but which actually delivered us to a nearly new housing estate from which there was no exit to the station. At least no longer. Happily a very friendly young couple attending to their front garden took us in hand and we made it to the station in time for the intended train.

Italian wine

The plot had been to have a light lunch, followed by a serious dinner at Michelangelo's, at the bottom of Ryde's Union Street. This turned out to be fully booked, which was a surprise for end of season, albeit on a Saturday evening. Next choice was Olivo's, in the same street but rather nearer Wetherspoon's, where we have eaten well in the past, noticed at reference 3. Also fully booked apart from a bad table near the kitchen door - but at least they told us before taking the booking. So again, quite by chance, we wound up at Ada, advertised as being of a Mediterranean/Turkish flavour. And very good it was too, without being precious about it. For me, hummus with flat bread, sea food risotto and some of those sweet pastries they like in the Middle East. Unusually for such a place, they offered a perfectly decent and reasonably priced bottle of Gewürztraminer, from Italy of all places, albeit the far north. Plus what seemed to be a rather large drop of rather nice brandy. Unusually also, the staff appeared to be entirely male. We shall return next time we are on the island, probably next summer.

Animals

Descending Union Street on our way back to our hotel, I was informed that it was high time I became better acquainted with at least some of the above.

Reference 1: http://www.thebeachshack-isleofwight.co.uk/.

Reference 2: http://www.adamediterraneanryde.co.uk/.

Reference 3: http://psmv2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/ryde.html.

Reference 4: http://psmv2.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/shanklin-chine.html.

Reference 5: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/holiday-food.html.