A Birthday Surprise

My 40th Birthday Surprise

My lovely man whisked me away to the Isle of Wight for 3 days. We stayed in a lovely hotel in a place called Shanklin which is a small quaint town on the beach.  We were fairly lucky with the weather, although the forecast was terrible, the sun did shine in the afternoon on the Saturday and Sunday.  

What a beautiful Island it is.  I didn't realise how green it was over there.  

There are no motorways, so travelling around is a pleasant meander on the A and B roads.  I got to see the beautiful coast and beaches nestling along side the countryside. 

 Shanklin

alum bay 

alum bay

 The Needles

 One of the coastal bays

shanklin

On the Monday, 18th July, my actual birthday, the weather wasn't so good so we went to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.  I love steam trains and think they are a very romantic way to travel as I love their motion, sound and era from where they originated.

 The Steam Railway

Happy Birthday to Me

My other half had a word with the guards and told them it was my birthday so they put a plaque up on the front of the train as a surprise. 

I got to go on the footplate and talk to the driver.  I got a whistle stop tour around the engine and the controls.  This particular steam train was 120 years old!

 Inside the train on the footplate

I got to travel First Class in a compartment to ourselves for most of the way which was lovely as the rest of the train was rather busy.

If it wasn't for the pack-a-mac, I could have been in a period drama!

I had a lovely few days away in the Isle of Wight, and it was definitely worth a visit.

Bee x

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