Isle of Wight

Hi guys and gals,

We have just found out that my girlfriend's new job is on the Isle of Wight (bit of a change since we were hoping on Dorset).

From what I know of the place it should have lots of sun and have a mild climate (near the sea, southern) almost like Cornwall or my native Devon I think.

Just wondering if anyone knows the area and could tell me about the type of soil and climate we can expect. Can't wait to get out of London and into a garden that has soil.

Also if anyone knows anything about living on the island would be good to hear. I've looked for a book on the history of it but Hackney library is coming up short.

Craig

 

Hi Craig and Welcome back to GC

Lucky you to be moving to my favourite Island I have wanted to live there for years but there are a shortage of jobs over on the Island so as yet I am still stuck here :(

We are actually going over there for a week In July and so much looking forward to getting back over there.We were there two years ago when it was boiling hot so had to stay indoors for most of the fortnight 90f was a little tad too hot for my skin...

Whenever we have been over,usually July time we have had brilliant weather with just the odd day of rain.When we used to get back to work everyone thought we had been abroad :D

There is loads of chalk in the ground as you will see from the white cliffs over there,hence the Islands name.

I have never personally lived there but Lady Of Leisure {LoL}lived there for a number of years so will be able to fill you in.

What part of the Island are you moving to?

Good luck with leaving London and all the best for your time on Wight...I am so jealous :D :D

 

Thank you Kandyfloss

Not sure which part we're moving to just yet. My girlfriend has a job at the hospital and we're told it's only 30mins drive to everywhere on the island so could go anywhere. We'd like somewhere rural, small village, and not very touristy. I grew up near Torquay so I'd like to stay in my garden out of their way during the summer months.

I'll still be living in London for the year and communiting back whenever possible and we'll be renting for the year so can't do too much in the garden. I see lots more pots in my future.

Also, my girlfriend wants to do a flower arranging course so if anyone knows of one that would be great.

 

Hi Craig.I take it your GF is going to be working at St Mary's,never used the place myself but is reckoned to be good

When we go onto the Island we always stay at Southlands with our Caravan which is in Newchurch.That is a lovely village and there is a really nice pub there called The Pointer which does very nice evening meals.The Church has a wooden top to it and can be seen for miles.

Newport is ideal for the shops and Cowes shps are nice but gets packed like most of the Island during Cowes Week which is usually in the first two weeks in August.Try to avoid Godshill during the summer unless you can get there quiet early because all the coach parties turn up and the place gets packed.

If you enjoy walking there are 500 miles of footpaths all round the Island, many on the coast and others inland.

Most of the Tourists head for the beaches in the summer months while we head for the Downs like Mottiston and Brighstone is pretty too.

There is so much to see and do over there you won't have time to be bored.Pity that you will have to commute still but you will soon settle in as an Islander

PS forgot to say,if you Google Isle Of Wight you can find lots of info on there.

 

Good Ol' Google. A dear friend of mine.

Yes she's at St Mary's, and yes we like walking. Our chocolate lab wouldn't have it any other way. He's very excited about the walks and the beaches. Thank you for the tips. We're planning on spending a quick weekend there in the next couple of weeks to get our bearings before looking for rental properties.

 

Ok Craig,you should find plenty of information on the Isle Of Wight Estate Agents sites.As I said LoL should be able to put you right on anything I have missed so don't forget to pop back onto GC Tennyson Down near Freshwater is one place your Lab will enjoy running around on but be prepared for a good walk to the top.You can then carry on down to The Needles and back if you feel fit enough. :D

The ferry trips to and from the Island are enjoyable as well

I think I need a job over there in the TIC{Tourist Information Centre} Good Luck again

 

Hello craig and welcome to GC and soon to the Isle of Wight.

Kandy seems to have filled you in pretty much so I don't know what to add. However, if you think of anything you'd like to me, please feel free to ask.

Both t'other half and I have used St Mary's facilities for blood tests etc and have found them to be very pleasant, prompt and efficient. It's in a lovely location also.

I owned in Bonchurch, between Ventnor and Shanklin on the South side of the island where there are micro-climate conditions and most sub-tropical type plants thrive there ... there is also a gecko colony!

Unfortunately, I cannot help much on the gardening front as we had a groundsman and I only looked after plants on the veranda, all of which were sub-tropical, and we were just 100 meters from the cliff edge and sea.

I bought a lovely second-hand book for �£1 on the Isle of Wight by Ward Lock (1967). You may wish to go onto Amazon to look for something.

One of the GC members, linlin, lives there and should she come on she may be able to help as she seems to be doing very well with her gardening, flowers and vegetables.

In the meantime, enjoy GC!

 

Ventnor botanical gardens are great remember sitting there with my gang at a cafe eating fresh salmon sandwices and admiring the echiums.

 

Hi Craig,
Can't expand much on what's been said already. i've been there a few times recently as my boyfriends girlfriend lives there.

I can re-iterate what Kandy said about Godshill - that's where i was. its very nice, but once you've been - well you know what i mean. i was there in November so no tourists to speak of.
When i was there during the summer a couple of years ago, it was so hot i couldn't sleep. that's cos i've been living up north for a while see. you should be ok coming from London.

It is a lovely place & you'll love having a garden there. good luck.

cheers

 

Borrowers im confused, Your boyfriends girlfriend lives there??? :eek:

 

I was thinking that too, Dee.

 

I think it ia a bit of a slip of the fingers on the keyboard and not what is written.I saw it earlier but didn't like to say anything

 

It's going to take more than an apostrophe to get my mind around that one.

 

Borrowers ... does your boyfriend have a girlfriend on the IoW, please ... we are all getting a bit interested now.

 

A bit interested?