Isle of Wight

When these sails go up
“Mountains fade away,
Stars come back.
I’m finally free,
It’s only the ocean and me.”
~ Jack Johnson

We had  a lovely break on the Isle of Wight a few weekends ago and since returning we’ve hit the ground running with only the occasional moment to look at photos and see what we captured. The break was refreshing, I hadn’t been back for around four years and after spending many a Summer on the Island as a child, a few years off was a bit too long.

As many followers will know, my Grandad died at the end of February. My Grandparents spent many years on the Island and because of them I got to know and love the place like a second home. I know the roads and the views, the photographic opportunities and the best places to go, just as well as I know the very town that I live in.

My Grandma recently made the trip back, the last time she had been was with my Grandad years ago, when he was well. I’m proud of her for going and she visited lots of places that she’d never been to see before, despite living there for years! The Island will always be my get-away place. It’s potentially the most expensive stretch of water to cross around the UK, but for me it’s worth it. Going back brings me closer to my Grandad too – I knew that would happen but didn’t expect it to my quite so strong.

When we arrived, the world slowed down. Even the cars were slower (frustrating at times but it made sense). You could stop and enjoy views of the sea pretty much within every few miles, without worrying about a thing. Parking on the seafront was plentiful, the colour of the sea changed each time you turned another corner and saw another view. It’s beautiful. Just the tonic needed for a bit of a refresh. Back to it with the Wedding Photography now!

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An evening walk amongst the bluebells

“There are always two people in every picture; The photographer and the viewer…”

– Ansel Adams

The first and most important thing to say, is that a Book of Quotations is an awesome thing and the index is even more so. For my Birthday a few weeks ago (which was also awesome), I was treated to the Oxford Book of Quotations. It may sound tedious but for someone who is inspired by quotes, quotes quotes, and writes quotes at the top of all blog entries – it is just a fantastic thing. I never realised until now how much I appreciated a good Index! And just look at those A.A Milne quotes just waiting to be quoted…

So on to the blog!  I spent the weekend on the Isle of Wight which was absolutely fabulous – those photos will follow soon as I need to wade through them. But prepare to be chilled by the Sunset and inspired by the blue skies because it was beautiful over there and we were so lucky with the weather. For now though, tonight we wandered up to the Woods. We’re incredibly lucky to have them right on our doorstep and even more so that they are practically unspoiled.

No-one disturbed us as we coaxed and persuaded Maisy to pose…she takes a lot of persuading these days as she finds the outside world much more interesting than the lens of a camera! But pose she did, of sorts anyway. It took some tennis ball bribery.

The pictures don’t capture the smell of the yellow fields (hayfever inducing) and the scent of the bluebells covering the Forest floor, you’ll just have to imagine those.

This evening was also the first chance that I got to capture the mythical flying dog on camera…she does exist! It looks even weirder frozen on camera than it does in person, who knew that dogs feet disappeared completely when they ran!

Stay posted – more photos will follow later this week and Wedding season kicks in again on Saturday which will keep us busy once more!

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