september sun

19 September 2016

When you live in a touristy place, you have to adapt your lifestyle a bit. During the summer school holidays the island population increases by about two thirds, so most businesses work doubly hard during this time. September is the month that a lot of islanders call their summer holiday. When the weather is good, it is the best place to be, empty beaches, quiet roads and peaceful ferries, bliss!
Because of our shop, we couldn't really take much time off so we couldn't wait till september so that we could close our whole business for two weeks! And by lucky hap, we were blessed with some glorious september sun!

We decided to take our caravan over to my mum's garden (she lives in a flat which is part of a large Victorian terrace so the garden is communal). She lives in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, right on the edge of the cliff over looking the sea.

We had a few dramas getting there so our trip was postponed for a week (!) as our VW camper engine over heated on the way towing the caravan, and then our morris struggled with it too...the next day we bought a modern 4x4, made in Japan, problem solved.

Anyways, we got there, and we had the best time ever! We don't need any expensive holiday abroad, just a nice view and some mild english weather is enough for us ; )





Amazing view, lovely places to eat, beaches to walk to, granny on hand ; ) perfect!
Needless to say, the nippers had a great time.






 I really appreciated the earlier evenings for a cosy fire lit dinner, and it was so warm.


The mornings were pretty spectacular too!

(we still haven't got our actual gas cooker fixed yet, using this portable hob, which is really good by the way!)

So now we can't tow our caravan with our camper van, it looks like we will all have to sleep together (unless we take our tent as well). With the babe in his basket (on the floor) and three of us in a small double bed! I think we should have called the caravan 'sardine tin'. 


A short walk along the seawall towards Bonchurch, there is a new cafe called The Seapot, it is in Wheelers Bay which well know for it's crab fishing, which you can eat at the cafe!

The food was really good there, and such lovely staff too!

Oh I do love this caravan, in fact I could just spend all day pottering about in it. So amazing to lie on that bed with the view of the sea...



Alfresco bathing

porridge served by sister

checking the weather forecast


This is Ventnor beach where I had a nice swim (the sea is much warmer in September).



I grew up in Ventnor so there are lots of nostalgic places that haven't changed much since I was a tot (actually most have improved a lot). I have always loved the Botanic Gardens.





...and Steephill Cove...







So our caravan is going back to the storage barn, and I feel a bit sad about it. Don't want to live in a boring old house! ; )

27 comments

  1. My grandparents lived in Niton. I knew Ventor quite well. I remember the old undercliff road from Niton to Ventor before the landslip. I remember Puckester cove and castlehaven beaches now all fortified against the sea. We stayed near Niton last summer with our grown up family and visited places with fond memories. The island is much more built up then it used to be but as you say you can still get away from the bustle and hurry. Now we live in a very remote part of the country! Your photos are lovely. You have a way of capturing a mood and a way of life we should all like to share in. Thank you.

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  2. Stunning! Absolutely love it! Well done Artemis!

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  3. I'm a follower of yours for years now but I have never posted a comment before. I have always been very impressed by every single picture and all the things you've crafted. Very inspiring! I can imagine you all have had a wonderful time! Those pictures look truly amazing!
    Take care! Chantal | Moving Slowly.nl

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  4. Dreamy pics! Whenever we talk about possible holiday destinations, I always mention the isle of white. For some reason, we have only managed a day trip so far, but one day I shall get my wish. Sadly though we would have to join the hordes of summer holiday makers as our one is at school...

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  5. Anonymous19.9.16

    Your pictures are beautiful! What a great vacation, makes me feel like I was almost there too. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  6. Stunning scenes as always Artemis. Your life seems idyllic to me, but I guess you do show us mostly the good bits. Bummer about the VW but pleased to hear you have some reliable wheels now.

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    1. Thanks! 4 days camping on the Isle of Wight was idyllic, but no, it's not my whole life! 😂 Xx

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    2. We bought a 4x4 for its power not reliability, not sure how reliable it will be, our van is 38 years old so that's pretty reliable👍

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  7. How glorious this all is! The experience of taking in your photos and telling of your adventure was so enjoyable. Now as I continue with the rest of my day, I will be so much more aware of the beauty in my natural surroundings - thank you for the big boost!

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  8. Artemis, you would have made a wonderful Gypsy! Love your pictures...such bliss! Kids sure are growing and Pehr looks like such a helper for you.

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  9. We just sold our caravan earlier this year. I always found any time we spent in it very relaxing, and enjoyable. Here's to many more trips for you.

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  10. Blissful pictures. Beautiful children. It's great to have sardine tin vacations while your children are small. My family used to squash into a camper trailer but we would have such busy days that we could sleep anywhere.

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  11. Gorgeous! Love your blog posts - keep them coming. Thank you!

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  12. What a treat! I'm in love with Pehr's tiny woolly cardigan in the last pic :D

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  13. Why go any further? What memories your children will have. Lovely.

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  14. I don't want to live in a boring old house either. My dream is to live in a mini farm, or in a sail boat. Or in both! I've had a boat with my father for many many years and it was wonderful, then he decided to sell it...
    Too bad the campervan and the Morris didn't make it, I love both your old cars. Why old stuff is so fascinating?
    I live in a touristy place too, it's true, September it's the best month!

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    1. 😊 all our cars are going strong as ever, just not great for towing caravans 😂

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  15. It is really nice to read you and watch your beautiful photos. I am tempted to camp with our caravan in an open countryside here in Czech. We always use some campsite. What about your electric power? I love your bulb lamp. It is so romantic!

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    1. We don't really use electric, just battery lamps and gas cooker x

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  16. looks so beautiful and idyllic. how do you stop the tots wanting to/trying to touch the fire?

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    1. Never had that problem to be honest!

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  17. Such beautiful pictures, I feel like I've had a mini holiday myself just reading this post - thank you! I am admiring Pehr's clothes as well.

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  18. Hi Artemis, lovely pictures! I am reading a book that I would like to recommend to you, as it is about islands and... it even has a storm petrel in it. (Just once, but still.) It's called The Outrun, and I just had to think of you and your blog when I read it, although the story is very gritty and harsh, but still it conjures a beautiful image of island life.

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  19. Hello Artemis & family,

    It looks like you had a great holiday over at Ventnor by the look of your photo album. So much so that a friend of mine and I are thinking of making a trip to the I of W next September. We plan to take the car and either b or b or camp. If you have any spare time can u suggest where to stay and what to do. We are 60+ so nothing to adventurous, lol!
    Gillian x

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  20. Those pictures are stunning! Why would you want to travel abroad when you live in such a stunning location. The caravan looks super cosy too and your little ones look like they are thriving. xx

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  21. Seeeeeeeriously, could this even be any more awesome??? Artemis! I just . . . you guys . . . seriously. This is the best. Happy half-birthday to the littlest boo, and happy almost-birthday to darling P. I ALWAYS mean to have Mimi send a present to P for their shared birthday, and I never seem to remember. 😣 Nevertheless, sending digital love to all of you. You inspire me beyond words. Xo, A

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