Day 28 - Thursday, 17th July - Jane's birthday!
What a lovely day, weatherwise, particularly for the birthday girl's chosen activity of cycling over tho the south of the Island. We rented a bike for Imy and set off about 10.30 along the old railway line and then towards the centre of the Island, heading for Chessell Pottery. Plenty of gentle uphill work left us overheated and very appreciative of a recuperative stop at the pottery for drinks and delicious scones and a snoop around the shop.
Time to move on, heading for a beach and a paddle, with Jane keen to try a swim, for some reason. More uphill work then a nice long freewheel through a pretty village called Brook before seeing the sea. Once there, with the tide coming in, the beach was quite small and shrinking but enough to enjoy an ice cream and sit on the sand listening to the gentle waves. Jane managed a short paddle but somehow lost the desire for a swim.
The next couple of miles were mainly uphill with some walking required along a very busy road towards Freshwater Bay. Long and hot work, relieved by a couple of high speed freewheel descents, before turning right and heading for the Red Lion for a cooling pint, well earned, then back along the cycle way to the boat, showers and a rest.
The evening saw us heading for On the Rocks again, for a really good meal that even Imy enjoyed as the vege option was halloumi and some very fine asparagus. A nice walk in the warm evening air before returning to the boat for coffee and cards rounded off a lovely day for the birthday celebrations, capped off by a spectacular thunderstorm with much bright lightning.