A lovely sunny day gave way to a grey and cloudy evening as I met a friend to walk the cycle path from Newport to Cowes. With less than a week to go until the Isle of Wight Festival, the tents and flags were going up on the other side of the Medina.
This rusting hull is now known locally as the paddle-steamer Ryde Queen was launched as the HMS Ryde in 1937 as a passenger ship for the cross Solent traffic. She was called into military service as a minesweeper and anti-aircraft ship taking in the D-day landings being commemorated this week. After a spell in London as a floating gin palace, she returned to the island as a disco boat, but once it closed the steamer has been left to rust away in the river mud.
Across the river, the spire on the hill is the church of St Mildred's at Whippingham, Queen Victoria's place of worship during her years at nearby Osborne House. Prince Albert worked with Albert Jenkins Humbert to design the church, where there is an exhibition of Royal memorabilia.
Walk Details
Distance 3.75 miles each way
Start:Newport bus station
Finish: Newport bus station
Time: 2 hours
Bus: No. 3 Ventnor to Newport
Refreshments and WC: Newport and Cowes town centres
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