OK, that’s not really true, but after a number of years now, living in Lymington still seems a little unreal. What with the economic downturn an’ all, the cost of going away suggests that the most practical solution for a break is a ‘staycation’. I have to be honest, I’m not a great fan of the word, mangling English is best left for humorous intent, but it’s becoming pretty common in usage now and it’s a bit Ronseal (exactly what it says on the tin).

Truth be told that certain disabilities can also constrict travel opportunities, and full-blown Fibromyalgia is certainly in that category. However living in Lymington you are never too far away from someplace worth visiting and a short ferry ride to the Island is well within the compass of possibility, so last week we went. From Lymington to Yarmouth there are two possibilities, the big ferry (Wightlink) and the small ferry (Puffin Cruises). Although Wightlink is cheaper for foot passengers, Puffin is foot passengers only and departs from the Town Quay, so we opted for the more romantic carrier.

We had been told by people with property on the Island that we would be entering a timewarp and be transported back several decades once on the Island. And so it proved. You couldn’t really put your finger on it, but there was something about Yarmouth that was very reminiscent of seaside towns if not of my youth, then certainly my early adulthood.

We had decided that since we were only there for an afternoon, we had to see the Needles from the other side having seen it many times from what the Islanders call the North Island, the South Island being the Isle of Wight. We wanted to do the circular open-top bus ride to get there but since it was remarkably warm the day we went, we were relieved to be able to sit under cover at the front of the open top deck of the bus. This had the additional benefit of being protected from overhanging branches as we hurtled down narrow country lanes.

A point worth noting, if you don’t want to or are unable to walk for around twenty minutes and want to see the Needles, stay on the bus or catch a bus going to the Batteries. If you get off at the Needles Pleasure Park you will be at Alum Bay, a previously mentioned walk from the Needles themselves. Although I imagine a lifesaver for families with children who want to be amused, I can’t say the Pleasure Park personally had much to commend it other than a ski-lift down to the beach. It reminded me more than a tad of what you now find at Lands End truth be told.

So having got to the Needles it was strange that the rocks looked smaller than they did from the mainland. It may be down to the fact of looking down from towering cliffs I suppose. Make your own mind up, click to see entire photo.

We hope to take a few days out on the Island later in September courtesy of a friend from church with an Island retreat.

Although a techie, I haven’t really got into the whole social networking thing, but with friends emigrating to Canada, I felt obliged to dust off my Facebook account to try and keep in touch. It’s a strange thing, but having been dismissive of it for some time, I actually enjoy keeping tabs on people I know now without necessarily having to talk to them. I guess it has created a whole new level of friendship between people you make an effort to keep in touch with and those you don’t. It’s a kind of curiosityship if you will.

Anyway having got in touch through Facebook I find that people I have known have their own means of online communication and I link to two of them for your interest. First off if you liked the panpipes on Titanic (the film that is), then visit the site of the man responsible for that and many other atmospheric film soundtracks, Tony Hinnigan. I knew Tony many years ago in sunny Peckham where his immense musical talent was extremely beneficial to my own faltering development. We were also privileged to have him play a cello solo at our wedding.

Secondly a blog from a guy we knew at our old church who is now Pastor of a new church in South Suffolk. Yes it’s a Christian site, don’t panic, but he’s a bit of a thinker and you never know, it may make sense to you. This entry would be particularly helpful to leaders I suspect, see iGod.