A Wight weekend

We’d planned this trip back in 2020 But, sadly, at that time it couldn’t be… We came down to Portsmouth on Friday night Then on Saturday – to the Isle of Wight

We crossed the Solent in a hovercraft Which was much easier than on a raft But it’s not quite the same as by a boat Because it doesn’t actually float

We took a bus west as far as Newport Then north to West Cowes, which is a sea port We went to ride their miniature railway We knew it was their special open day

How should we then the rest of the day fill? Well, there’s a model village in Godshill You can see its sights in a shorter time And without having to do so much climb

From there another bus ride we did take Up round Bembridge after Sandown and Lake For we needed to end our day in Ryde So at the Travelodge we could abide

On Sunday we worshipped at Newport Corps Before finding somewhere else to explore Near Sandown there is a wildlife centre But getting there was quite an adventure!

We had already seen the road was closed To cars – for walkers, open, we’d supposed However, when we tried to head out that way We were told ‘no’, there’s a race underway

Fortunately, after a little fuss We got taken round by a minibus Then we could see animals large and small And some of whose names I will now recall

There were lemurs, monkeys, ample meerkats And several big, non-domestic cats – There were striped tigers, and lions regal A family of lynx, and a wild serval

On Monday we looked out, ‘twas dull and grey But then we were travelling home that day It wasn’t too bad sat on board the train As it kept us out of all the wet rain

To the hoverport, for our return flight A few mins later at Southsea alight Then onto a bus, across the town hop Portsmouth Harbour is our very next stop

By lunch we’re in Wiltshire – not far from home? (But I’m sure we’ve still got more time to roam!) Up the high street and o’er bridge we scurry Order and eat our lunch in a hurry

For when you’re in the rural countryside There can be quite a wait between each ride We had chosen the route that went southwest Giving plenty of time to sit and rest

We watched many green rolling hills go by Though mostly ‘twas still a very grey sky Fin’lly our trip had to come to an end I wonder where our next free time we’ll spend?