My weekend on the Isle of Wight - Chicandstylish #Linkup

Good morning. 

Welcome to the blog. 

Big apologies for being so late with Thursday’s post, various reasons that I won’t go into now have hindered publication. 

So good to have you here, I’ve got lots to tell you about the weekend.

You may recall I’ve been away for a long weekend to the Isle of Wight. Today I’ll share what I got up to with some photos thrown in too!

On David’s 60th birthday celebration our good friends gave us both a present (we are both 60 this year). They’d booked a long weekend on the Isle of Wight the following weekend! I was shocked and immediately told them I couldn’t make it as I was baby sitting Max for the night! Little did I know it was just a ploy for us to keep the weekend free! It had all been planned in advance in secret! I wasn’t looking after him but going with David and our friends for a weekend of laughter, food, drinks and fun! I was very excited and planned my clothes making sure I’d cover every weather system we could possibly encounter.  (We have to do that in the UK don’t we!)

This was the outfit I wore on Saturday night. I’m chuffed with this jumpsuit from Jenerique. 🖤

Items marked with * have been gifted to me, however these are 100% my own honest comments.

 

A jumpsuit always gets a thumbs up from me. I love wearing them as they are so easy and relaxing to style despite the bathroom issues!

This one has a long zipper up the back but because the neck is wide it can easily be pulled down making it a doddle to get out of. The sleeves are also very flattering with a nice floaty cap sleeve. 

The bust is cross over style and I’m pleased to say doesn’t gape or fall open. 

It has pockets too, hallelujah I say as pockets make such a difference. We all like somewhere to shove our hands, a lipstick or tissue in don’t we. 

But what really caught my eye was the cuffed leg hem. It makes the bottom balloon out and looks rather chic - would you wear anything in this style?

As you can see I picked  black * but it’s also offered in a pretty blue. 

Don’t forget to use my discount code MUMMABSTYLISH for 15% off

Have you ever had a surprise holiday? This weekend was truly an amazing surprise and I had no idea! We started our journey to the island early on Saturday morning with a car ride down to the port of Portsmouth. Our ferry ride across to Fishbourne took roughly 40 mins and we enjoyed the sights in the sunshine on the outside deck.

We arrived at the Luccombe Manor Hotel in Shanklin about 11.30. It over looked the coast and was in a stunning setting. The gardens were really pretty & well laid out. They also hosted a swimming pool and jacuzzi with sunbeds & chairs dotted around it. The sister hotel Luccombe Hall was next door and we got the use all the facilities there too. Their gardens offered another bigger pool and bubbly bath which my friend enjoyed on the last morning before thaking some lovely photos for me. Do watch out for my swimsuits from Bonmarche in the future. There were games in the garden too, golf putting, a large chess set and boules area along with a large children’s playing section complete with climbing frame and various other slides and swings. 

We went straight to our rooms dropping off our cases and seeing what the rooms were like. They had tea/coffee making facilities, ensuit with shower or bath, plenty of storage, were nice and warm and had a telly. I unpacked my clothes before making my way to the bar! The weekend antics had begun! It was sunny and quite warm so we sat outside getting familiar with the surroundings. Included in the package was admission to the Shanklin Chine. Now do you know what a chine is? I didn’t but soon found out what it was!

Shanklin Chine is a tree lined gorge carved by Mother Nature over thousands of years linking the old village to the sandy beach and esplanade below. 

We made our way down the chine passing the waterfall and following the little paths. Hidden in the undergrowth of ferns, and other botanical flowers were carved animals and gigantic dinosaurs. It was truly magical and I wished I could have seen it in darkness when lights would be flickering in our path. Maybe I’ll have to go again!

Once we arrived at the foot of the Chine we stopped to admire the shore view which had a nice sandy beach, various little beach huts and lots of drift wood. I spotted many pieces I wanted to take home, one in particular I would have loved turned into a glass top table! 

We wandered along the promenade stopping for a small bite to eat and a drink. The weather although still sunny got a little chilly on our return but once in the shelter of the Chine it was okay. Another pit stop at the top in a thatched roofed pub before making our way back to the hotel to change for the evening. 

That evening we’d arranged to have a meal in the sister hotel, but with hindsight I think maybe we should have looked further afield as it wasn’t quite what we expected. The meal choices were small and they didn’t offer a steak dish, just fish and a burger was on the menu. We enjoyed what we had and returned to the bar next door for a nightcap. 

The next day was a real contrast weather wise. It was misty, wet and dreary and we’d already decided to visit The Needles and Cowes. I managed to snap this photo but didn’t bother to try to get any nearer as the weather was so wet, you know that fine rain that makes everything wetter! 😂

Onto Cowes for a walk through the town. It was typically a boating area with all the traditional clothing appropriate shops selling sailing equipment and the like. We found a little pop up bar on the promenade where we shared a couple of pizzas and had another drink. We watched the Red Jet fast link ferrycome in and out. The rain had eased up so I managed to get this photo, how nice to have this cute backdrop. 

That evening we’d booked a table in a local Italian restaurant. It had a huge menu and I have to say we were spoilt for choice. I wanted at least four or five dishes on offer but settled with parmigiana di melanzane followed by sea bass with fries and veg. It was absolutely delicious and I even made room to have profiteroles & cream!  Washed it down with a small bottle of fizz and departed for the five minute walk home. 

It was a leisurely breakfast after the photo shoot with my friend. I have to add the breakfast choice was brilliant. Fruit, yoghurt, cereal, bread for toasting, hot choices (I had eggs Benedict one morning and the next day I had poached eggs on toast) with croissants, fruit juices and lots of tea or coffee. I too full advantage and stuffed myself with all the luxurious offerings! I have to add I only do that on holiday and normally only have porridge!

Accommodation was booked through Booking.com. Which i’d throughly recommend, it’s such an easy system to use and helpful to have the option of free cancellation.

Our ferry crossing with Wightlink Ferries was also booked direct. They have plenty of crossings to and from the Island with a full cafeteria onboard for the quick journey. 

Do ask any questions you may have, I’d love to help you book a fun filled long weekend or weeks holiday to the Isle of Wight. 

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Time for the linkup party, it’s Chicandstylish time. 

First let’s see who’s favourite blogger from last week. Congratulations to Mireille - Fashion Travel Mom Who’s literally rocking this tulle skirt look. One I’d love to copy. 

Now let's start linking up.

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Thanks for taking the time to pop by. So pleased you did. 

Are you thinking of taking a holiday to the Isle of Wight? Let me know if you need any advice. 

Have a super week and weekend and I’ll see you on Monday. 

Bye for now. X