It had been awhile since we had a cream tea and after searching Groupon for a bit one day, I found this awesome deal for afternoon tea for two. Oh yeah! Last time we had afternoon tea was on my birthday 2014! So we were definitely due for some.
It was at this cool pink posh looking hotel in Bournemouth called The Norfolk and the cream tea was divine.
The Norfolk Hotel2016.01.15
Afternoon Tea for Two Lovers!
There was so much, we tried our hardest to finish it all but at the end we had about 4 full pieces of cakes left that we decided to take one bite of each cake then left the rest. It was some good stuff!
One Serious / One Silly
Finding that groupon deal reminded me that I have to go back on there from time to time to find stuff like this on there. It was a great price!
The last week of January we headed out to the Isle of Wight. It's been a little while since we've been so it was nice to hop back on the ferry and head out there for the day. This time we came in through the Lymington to Yarmouth side. It's much shorter to get there since it's at the tip of both ends and we don't have to sail through the long ol' canal in Southampton where we usually get on from. This route is much nicer towards Lymington, and even from where we get off in Yarmouth on the IOW is a nice little route. There is less traffic and more nice scenery both ways. And since we live so much closer to Lymington, I don't see why we'd go to Southampton anyway to catch it.
It was a gloomy day with grey skies, even some rain but the water and views are still beautiful no matter what the weather is like.
Lymington Harbour from Ferry 2016.01.22
Driving along the coast from Yarmouth to Cowes on the IOW
The appointment was in Cowes a few miles from Yarmouth. It's usually very busy here in the summer along the esplanade, but during this time of the year with this weather, it was a ghost town.
Along the Esplanade. Cowes, IOW2016.01.22
I didn't go out much since it was a drizzling day, so I spent most of my time the car keeping busy. When it wasn't raining I was hanging at the benches facing the channel, but that never lasted too long. It was cold and windy there by the sea, it was much warmer and cozy in the car. Since it was a Friday, we decided to stay the night over and come back the next morning. The next day was just as gloomy as the day before. It was still nice to have a nice cozy romantic night away :)
Yarmouth Castle - back view
Yarmouth
Lymington Harbour from Ferry on the way back 2016.01.23
Oddly enough, two weeks later we were back at the Isle of Wight again.... we've never done visits this close, but as always I was ready. This time the weather wasn't so bad. Still cold yes and still windy as ever but no rain, yah! We were also back in Cowes...
2016.02.05
And back in the same little area... I decided to have a walk along the esplanade... and I wasn't the only one out and about either this time.
Before going for my walk I saw the big ferry from Southampton coming by and had to take a vid of it. What caught my attention was all the alarms from the cars going off. It was quite a windy day so I guess the ferry was moving a little more than usual and had all the cars going crazy.
The Titanic saled past this point on 10th April 1912 on her maiden and only voyage.
Cowes Castle, now The Royal Yacht Squadron
When I got to the castle in Cowes, I found these signs on the walls pretty cool. I wonder if it was really true... guess I'll never really know. :)
WARNING - Starting cannon may fire at any time
Took another short video from my walk... The view was pretty nice and relaxing.. especially the sound of that water.
Cowes, Isle of Wight2016.02.05
So after walking around a bit I needed to pee and started looking for the loo There are public toilets everywhere in England, you don't have to look far before you find one but finding one that is clean is more hit or miss. These that I found were not called toilets like all the others, they were called 'Public Conveniences'. I found it pretty funny.
Yes they were convenient but OMG they were freaking filthy. Now usually most of the public toilets I've been to in England are pretty clean, there is always someone coming in throughout the day cleaning them but maybe the cleaners were off for the winter? Ew. Please tell me where the toilet seat is?
All I gotta say about that is it's a good thing I don't sit on the toilet seats. But even being close to it was gross to me... needless to say I didn't bother flushing it either (and I didn't use this toilet, I found one a little less gross).
This was also weird to me.... who the hell would buy or rent a flat (apartment) with a balcony right across from the public toilets?? That is what this is in the photo below. It's not like you will ever have privacy so you can't open your door or even curtains if you wanted to. And wouldn't it smell? It's so low as well that I'd be scared that someone might try climbing up or something. Such a weird place for a window much less a balcony. When I was coming out of the toilets I could see straight towards the window. Strange!
After all that palava, I went back to my cozy spot in the car and waited for my Babz to get back from his appointment so we could get back home.
I spend most of my time travelling many parts of England with my husband, snapping photos and blogging. I've become obsessed with traditional cream teas, never wanting summer to end and love a pint of cider. I'm blessed to have found my soul mate, even if he was across the world. Some days I feel lost, other days I feel like I'm right where I belong, but every day I am still fascinated by England's glorious landscapes, rich history and olde worlde charm. ღ
