The Wonders of the Isle of Wight with Oli, Jamie & Jane

 The Wonders of the Isle of Wight

The sun was shinning as we headed to the iconic tourist hotspot where we enjoyed glorious views of the Needles. 

We visited the the sand shop where we all chose a glass ornament and filled it with the different coloured sand that can only be found here on the island. We all agreed they would make great mementos. 

Next stop, the Sweet Manufactory. We watched a fascinating live demonstration of sour apple sweets being made—from boiling the sugar mixture to hand-mixing and shaping it into perfect little squares. Of course, the highlight was tasting the warm, freshly made treats.  At the Alum Bay Glass Studio, we watched in awe as molten glass was gathered from a furnace and skilfully blown into shape. The craftsman made it look effortless as he spun, shaped, and expanded the glowing glass into a vase. It was mesmerizing to watch. 

It was down to the bowling alley where the competitive spirit quickly emerged! The games were close, with cheers, groans, and plenty of encouragement exchanged. 

In the afternoon, we tried our hand at archery on the resort’s range. The men also put in strong performances, leading to a friendly competition. It was a great effort from everyone! 

Some of us took a cable car ride down the steep cliff to the beach, getting stunning views of the bay below. 

We travelled to Monkey Haven, a highly respected primate rescue sanctuary. Home to over 19 species, from cheeky Marmosets to graceful Gibbons, it was both educational and heart warming. The staff were passionate and informative, sharing the unique stories behind each animal. We ducked into the reptile house, where we saw Royal Pythons, Tortoises, Water Dragons, and some less popular residents—spiders!  A zookeeper gave a fascinating talk about Gibbons, including their social behaviour, habitat, and the emotional stories behind their rescue. As if on cue, the Gibbons began singing loudly—an unforgettable sound. 

With a bit of free time, we returned to the games room for a few more rounds of pool, darts, and table tennis. 

The evening entertainment always got us up on the dance floor showing off our disco moves. From musical extravaganzas to comedy acts we loved every second.