Robin's Surprise Birthday Trip.

Sunday 16th to Friday 21st September.
On Sunday, back in Reigate, we went to the Priory Park to watch the start of the final stage of the "Tour of Britain" cycle race. The centre of Reigate was closed to traffic and packed with spectators. We took up position opposite Finch's, the cycle shop, and were amused to see their staff up on the roof above the shop ready to watch the race!

After the riders and support vehicles had all departed, we went and had tea in a new shop that has opened in Bell Street called the Chalk Hills Bakery. Very good cakes and excellent coffee - we'll definitely go again!
On Monday morning, we took the bus to Redhill, then caught the train to Southampton, and stayed that night with Sandra and Adrian. They have done a brilliant job on the house, which looks absolutely beautiful. In the evening, we all had an excellent dinner at the "Jolly Sailor" in Old Burseldon. At this point, R still had no idea as to the final destination of his surprise outing!
On Tuesday, we left early and caught the local train into Southampton centre, then another on to Brockenhurst and Lymington. At this point R realised that we might be heading for the Isle of Wight, as the ferry to Yarmouth leaves from Lymington! On arrival in Yarmouth, we checked in to the "George Hotel", who kindly upgraded our room to a very comfortable small suite and gave us a discount, because the room that M had been promised was not available.
We then made our way to the little pier, along with a large crowd of people, all waiting for the arrival of the paddle steamer "Waverley." It looked lovely as it arrived, but very crowded! It had started its journey in Swanage, so there were already a lot of people on board.

The embarkation procedure was chaotic, but eventually everyone was on board and we proceeded on the tour around the island, travelling anti-clockwise. We started off with afternoon tea in the tea room, slightly worried by the fact that the ship had a distinct list to port as most people has crowded on to that side for the best view of the island!
The weather was glorious and the views spectacular with almost unlimited visibility. On the way back into the Solent from the east, we passed the huge P&O cruise liner "Azura" leaving Southampton and the two ships, one so vast and one so tiny, saluted each other with their hooters - lovely!

Back in Yarmouth we had a splendid dinner in the "George" the price of which was covered by the discount they had given us!!
On Wednesday morning we awoke to bright sunshine filling the room. After the "Big Breakfast", we caught the bus via Newport to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. As we arrived, the 0-6-0 Terrier "Freshwater" was about to leave, so our timing was perfect.

We travelled up and down the line in the beautifully restored coaches before catching the bus back through Newport to Yarmouth.

M had contacted Sara, as we would have liked to see her and the boys, but M received a call from her saying that there would be no one at the house while we were there. Such a pity!
Back in Yarmouth, we had a proper afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes and scones in the old Jireh Tea Rooms before waddling back to the ferry for the journey home. A lovely end to a very special birthday treat.

On Thursday, R went to Capture for the day, starting with breakfast at "Pierreponts" as usual. M spent the day at home being domestic and then went to her choir's committee meeting in the evening. On his way home, R stopped off at the new service area near the A3 on the M25, which has only just opened.
On Friday, we both took the train to Aldermaston and walked the mile or so back to Froud's Bridge Marina and MM. As it was quite late when we arrived, we decided to stay there overnight. We had hoped to see Richard and Lizzie on "Dragonfly", but they had already left.