Walk 22 Summer on Ventnor Downs

The last time I walked on the Downs was in late spring on a very misty morning, to photograph the bluebells. Today was so different, a very hot, sunny day in July. I was heading for views of Sandown Bay with a foreground of purple heather, but found the slopes I was aiming for were past their best; must try a couple of weeks earlier next year.

 Lots of thistles on the downs right now...

 and still plenty of centaurea.

There are several ways up from the steps on the Terminus Industrial Estate. I usually turn left at the gate by the National Trust sign and walk along the valley floor which is a gentler climb.

 

 Had to play with the macro button on my new camera!
 From the top of the valley you can see over Upper Ventnor to Steephill Cove and beyond.

This is the highest point on the island. St Boniface Down, at 795ft, is the highest peak and on it stands this radio transmitter. In 1938, the government requisitioned this flat stretch of land from the National Trust to build two radar receiver towers as part of the Radio Direction Finding Chain. RAF Ventnor worked until 1945, except for a period when it was taken off air by 15 German bombers. There is a detailed article with wartime images on the Ventnor Radio Station here

Beneath the radio tower is an enclosure for feral goats who should be eating the bracken, but it was very high today, making the path slow progress.

Playing with my zoom again; this was a tine red fly on a patch of ragwort; I think it is a common red soldier beetle.

From the top of the downs is a fine view of Ventnor, with Trinity Church in the foreground.

Heading towards Nansen Hill, views open up across Luccombe towards the white chalk cliffs of Culver Down.

 There were still patches of purple heather, just not where I wanted them!

This path leads down the steep grassy slope of Nansen Hill, to come out at Smugglers Haven café and access to the Devil's Chimney and the Landslip.

Having taken the easy route up, I returned over the top of the hill along the road past the radar station.

Once more I was grateful for my zoom lens, as there was no way I was going into that field of cows!

Bearing left past the radio station leads back to the top of St Boniface Down; this view gives a good idea of how steep the incline is.

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