IOW 13

Today was forecast to be the hottest this week so we decided to seek some shade at Ventnor Botanic Garden. Don't expect me to tell you what the flowers are they are just pretty. 

The leaf says its Holly the flower says its not!

View form our picnic bench

Detail of above

The water Lilly pond

Passionflower

Sarah with a huge bloom

detail of the flowers from above

looking along the grape Arbour 

After spending the afternoon in the gardens we took James back to the IOW paddling pool then bought fish and chips from the shop at the Haven some of the best I've eaten and not a cod in sight they only cook what is landed locally.
Tomorrow is our last day :-(  

IOW 12

Treat for James we went to the Owl and Monkey haven today he loves his OO OO's. They are basically provide homes for unwanted primates and owls sorry I cant tell you which species they are but I'll share the photos any way.

This guy lived at Howletts till recently

very vocal gibbons

James showing mum and dad the fish

neither monkey nor owl but the largest Kingfisher

and to finish some flowers

IOW 11

Visit to Alum Bay today to show James how to make the glass figures with coloured sand in them. 

James and Granddad help Mummy fill a jar

This is the bottle I filled

We also visited Alum Bay Glass.

adding an over twist to the initial load

not many photos from the making floor sorry, the next two are especially for my friend Jayne

and an artistic take on the Needles from Alum Bay

sorry short one today see you tomorrow!

IOW 10

For various reasons we did not venture out this morning but after lunch Mike Barbara and I drove to East Cowes to see Osborne house. 



Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos in the house but you are in the grounds so here goes.

one of two door guardians 

the other door guardians 

looking across the terrace toward the sea

there are lots of statues around the terrace here are some of them

you'll see this lad again

I'm sure this is spectacular with water in it.

one of two such eagles

its that boy and his duck again

the left handed lion by the stairs

The entrance to the walled garden 

The grand entrace to the walled kitchen garden was formerly the portico to the original Osborne House, when Victoria and Albert demolished the building Albert had the portico reconstructed to for the entrance to this garden, who says recycling is a modern thing.

Victoria and Albert's initials are found every where

I did take some pictures of flowers but I'll save those for another day.

Oh the answer to yesterdays question is five,

The original 
  The model in the model village {1/10 scale}
    The model in the model of the model village {1/100 scale}
      The model in the model of the model of the model village {1/1000 scale}
        The model in the model of the model of the model of the model village {1/10000 scale}

And if you don't believe me you'll have to go and visit it yourself to find out