Newport and Cowes

Yesterday we took the bus to Newport (county town of the Isle of Wight) for supplies and then went on to Cowes.

The van got treated to a new fuel filter as it was sounding a bit spluttery and the only Halfords on the Island is in Newport. Newport has some interesting buildings and shops if you ignore all the big chain stores and poundlands everywhere.

We got a bit of a surprise when Prince Phillip walked out of the building next to us while we ate lunch.

Then on the way to Cowes on the top of the open air bus it started raining (we had come prepared with waterproof jackets of course).

Cowes is on the north-west of the Island and this week is Cowes Week, which is a famous sailing regatta. We thought we'd go and check out the atmostphere. The town was packed even though it was raining and all decked out like a festival with beer tents, live music stages and stalls selling food and clothes.

'Just pick a colour of crocs and buy them already'

We had a beer and watched some live music in one of the bar tents that had been erected. After seeing Prince Phillip in Newport I was feeling lucky and keeping my eyes peeled for Ben Ainslie but no joy.