Friends from the Equals IW Friends and Family Group left their cars at home and made their way by bus to Newport Bus Station. After taking the bus to Ryde Interchange they hopped onto the Island Coaster to follow the eastern shoreline to Bembridge, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. The group travelled on the south side of the island through Ventnor, Whitwell and Chale . The bus then cruised west along the Military Road towards Freshwater and the iconic Needles Landmark attraction at Alum Bay where they had a picnic lunch.
After the lunch they caught the Needles Breezer. This is considered one of the most spectacular open top bus rides in England and normally has views that would simply take your breath away. But on this occasion the views from the cliff ride from Alum Bay up to the Needles Battery.were hidden behind low cloud and heavy mist. More typical of an autumn or winter day rather than a mid-summer day in July.
The route took the group through the beautiful and charming town of Yarmouth with its harbour and normally stunning views of Tennyson Down. Once back at Alum Bay they explored the Needles Landmark attraction. Due to the poor weather the group decided not to take the pleasure boat from the jetty for a close-up view of the Needles Rocks and Lighthouse with panoramic views of the coloured sands of the Alum Bay cliffs.
We hope to return next year as part of the Green Time programme to take the boat trip.
The return bus journey took the group through the pretty countryside and villages of the West Wight back to Newport Bus Station. Sadly the sights could not be seen from the bus due to the rain. We all made the best of the British summer weather and enjoyed a lovely day together in friendship touring on the buses together.
We took more pictures
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