Walk 9 Ventnor Downs

Ventnor Downs is one of the best place for bluebell spotting, so I headed up again today. It was sunny in my garden but as I climbed up I realised that there was a lot of mist at the top of the hills.

This time I took the path up behind the old station on the Industrial Estate, but instead of climbing straight up St Boniface Down, I turned left by the gate, following the path downhill to come out in the valley floor.

This route follows the valley floor at a gentle incline with a shorter climb at the end to come out at the radar station.

 A colony of feral goats was introduced to keep the oak from colonising the Downs and a few were grazing on the slopes today.

 

 By the time I reached the top the mist was thick and visibility poor.

 However, the bluebells were still lovely so I decided to cut my losses and take misty images today and come back up again another day if the weather holds.

 I didn't take any particular route, just wandered around the perimeter of the radar station, then along the road where I know there will always be fields of blue.

 

  

Walk 8 Bluebell Walk Shanklin to Borthwood Copse - 3.3 miles

Late April is bluebell time here and I have been wandering around snapping them in gardens, on the downs and in hedgerows, but I have never seen such a fantastic display as I saw today in Borthwood Copse near Apse Heath. Huge carpets of flowers spread below the trees and I was lucky that the sun came out just as I arrived. 

Since flowers were on my mind I started with these gorgeous Osteospermum on my way to the bus stop.

The walk begins at the foot of the steps behind Shanklin station, by Lidl's entrance, but had a closed sign up. What to do?
A local told me it was passable but had a lot of water lying. I took a chance and just got through, then followed the path through the caravans of Lower Hyde Park, then turning left on the track to Ninham, which leads between two ponds.

Here my path should have followed Scotchell's Brook but I had forgotten this was a wet meadow and, with such a rainy start to the year, following this path was beyond my mud threshold, so I took the track above. I'll mark this as a summer only walk and  either take the main track past Landguard Manor or go by road as far as the airport in the wet season.

I think this is apple blossom but I love the pink stamens.

On reaching the Newport Road, cross over and take the road through the airport. This used to be a busy little airstrip with private planes calling in from Biggin Hill and France to take lunch at the Aviator Restaurant. But in 2007, a fire destroyed the restaurant and clubhouse and the airfield was sold off to a developer. However it is now open again, and although the restaurant is no more there is a small café.
The path continues uphill past the end of the runway, passing a caravan park.

Along the hedgerow was this lovely creeping plant. After much Googling I have identified it as Fumaria officinalis or common fumitory.

After passing this house the path leads between hedges past houses and farmland.

Passing Borthwood Cottage I came across a surprising sight. In a paddock were rows of bird cages filled with all sorts of poultry and even owls.

These rather fine chickens were loose in the grass verge and strolling along the lane as though they owned the place.

Between the cages, a footpath leads up into Borthwood Copse and, turning right into the woods I was greeted with beautiful displays of bluebells at every turn.

At a crossing of paths we go left into a clearing of grand, tall beech trees and continue with them on our left on the main track up and then downhill.

Where the paths meet at the bottom bear left slightly uphill to leave the wood by an electricity pole.

Walk straight ahead over the field along the next with the hedge on the left. At the top corner turn right to pass Bigbury Farm, an enviable property whose gorgeous swimming pool could be seen through a gap in the fence. Walk along in front of the house, turning left along the access road to find a narrow footpath with the hedge on the right. This takes you back onto the road, near the bus stop, but crossing the road will take you on through America Wood and back to the start by Shankin Station. Once I do this bit, I'll add it on!

Walk Details
Start: Lidl's, Landguard Rd, Shanklin
Finish: Newport Rd, near Apse Heath
Distance: 3.3 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Bus: No 2 and 3 to Shanklin, No 8 along Newport Rd to Lake or Newport 
Refreshments: in Shanklin and at CJ's café in the airport
WC: Shanklin station, but not always open, Shanklin Landguard Rd near Co-op and at the airport café.