Transportation: The cars/minibus transportation is provided if departing from London on Saturday morning for members that require it.  I will sort out all of the transportation logistics for the whole group.  Organise the departure point, exchange drivers and members contact details in advance and ensure the drivers get to every location during the event on time.  All my volunteer drivers are experienced, regular and confident drivers.  

 

Accommodation:  We will be staying at a Premium Inn hotel in Sandown for Saturday night with 2 sharing with en suite bathrooms. Room allocation will be based on gender.  Many other groups would book a youth hostel with 6-10 sharing a dormitory with bunk beds which can be noisy and over crowded.  The hotel is only 5 minutes away from a lovely sandy beach (hence the name of the town "Sandown")  

 

Meals:  I will reserve good restaurants local to our accommodation that gives members a big range of menu choice and great value for money.  Meals are not included in the cost as we are not staying at a hostel and I want the group to experience regional food.  

 

Propose Schedule

Saturday 9th September

08:00         Pick up from Coulsdon South Station (zone 6)

10:00         Arrive at Portsmouth port

10:30         Ferry ready for boarding at 10:30 and sails at 11am

12: 00        Arrive at East Cowes Port

12:00         Drive to Totland Bay for lunch break

13.05         Start walking from Totland Bay to Alun Bay (Needles) up to Tennyson’s Point and Freshwater Bay 

18:00         Finish walk 

19:00         Arrive at Travelodge to refresh before dinner 

19:45         Good local pub restaurant only 10 minutes walk (normally have live music on Saturday night)

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Sunday 10th September

08:15        Drive to East side of Isle of Wight for the Sandown to Seaview coastal walk

09:00        Breakfast at the Driftwood beach cafe (as in above photo)

10:00        2nd Walk:  Sandown to Bembridge a lovely coastal walk passing Dinosaur Isle, Culver Cliff and Whitecliff Bay

17:00        Lunch at a cafe on near the Bembridge Lifeboat station (as in above photo) 

18:00        Pub break at the end

18:00        Retrieve cars to pick up members at Seaview

19:00        Arrive back at East Cowes port for 19:30 ferry

20:30        Back in Portsmouth Port

21:30        Back to Coulsdon South Station

 

Fitness:  This Isle of Wight event is suitable for members of an average fitness level.  With most coastal walks there will be hills to walk up, this gives this coastal the fantastic sencery. Each hill would only take an average member 8-10 minutes of strenuous walking, each will reward you a fantastic viewpoint.  You should be able to walk a minimum 2 miles per hour on a varied terrain for 10-12 miles within 6 hours.  There will be many breaks to enjoy the scenery, take photos and to rest.  

 

No circular coastal routes:  The beaches, sea, high cliffs and undulating coastal paths are the main sights of the Isle of Wight so the whole walking distance will be along coastal Path.  Other walking groups will walk a circular route and finish back at the starting point. For this Island, to maximise the coastal experience we will have cars strategically parked at the finishing point of each walk which maybe up to 8 miles away from the starting point, ready to pick up the group after a long day’s walk. No other groups will do this as the logistics are complicated and time consuming for the drivers. 

 

Flexibility: My approach and itinerary is flexible.  If bad weather is forecasted, I am happy to change the itinerary. Weather can we localised in this island so willing to drive to a different part of the island for a dry walk.  

 

Securing a place:  My events are normally over subscribed.  You can reserve your place on any event, months in advance with a £50 deposit.  I understand that member’s work, family & personal situation can change, so this deposit is 100% refundable 7 days prior to the start of this event, no quibble.   All I need is 7 days notice and I refund you fully within 24 hours.  If you withdraw, within the 7 days period, and if I am able to find a replacement to fill your space I am more than happy to give you a 100% refund.  I only require the final balance 7 days before the start of the event, again being flexible to members needs.  

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All meals - Michael will plan for all meals - Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch

Entrance fees to any sights

 

KIT LIST

Essentials: 

Good waterproof jacket.  Even with no rain forecasted a waterproof jacket can be used to keep your warm during our early morning starts.

Hiking boots (with good grip and ankle support) - don’t forget to bring good quality hiking socks 

1 change of clothing. A few warm items for our early morning starts: base layer, warm fleece, gloves, beanie

Items for hot conditions: broad beam hat, a cap, sun block, sun glasses

 

Other items: 

Wash kit. towels will be provided at the hotel.  A daypack to hold your day kit (water, snacks, jacket)

Trainers to wear in the cars/minibus