Ryde Daily Photo

News

2007-01-09T03:51:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately due to lack of time I`ve been forced to stop updating the Portsmouth Daily and Ryde Daily photo blogs.

Having to update the blogs once a day as well as go and shoot more pictures became just too time consuming. Instead, I`m going to concentrate on my main focus in photography - long exposure.

In my night time and low light photo blog I`ll be posting occasional images, once a week if I can.

Please drop by that blog, enjoy the pictures and leave some comments!

Ryde Taxis

2006-10-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

Taxi's waiting for customers on Ryde seafront. Behind is the bus station (which is due for remodelling sometime soon) and to the right (out of shot) is the Hovercraft station. Theres no set colour scheme for taxi's here, they're mostly private cars that have a taxi badge.

All at sea

2006-09-18T23:10:00.000-07:00

A photograph I shot from the top of Culver Down while out cycling one day. This is the kind of sea view you can see all around the Island.

Sandown and Shanklin (Panorama)

2006-09-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

A panoramic view of the East coast of the Island, with Shanklin, Sandown and Culver Down in view.

The Downs

2006-09-10T02:26:00.000-07:00

Above Brading, on the downs - this is the kind of view you get when in the center, visiting the highest hills on the Island ('The Downs'). This shot shows St. Helens and Bembridge and far in the distance Portsmouth.

View Satellite Image of this location @ Google Maps.

St. Merediths

2006-09-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

At least, I think its called St. Merediths? Its at a place called 'Whippingham' which really doesn't have anything else apart from one post office, a few houses, a school and the church. This is one of the oldest churches in the northern part of the Island. It has quite a gothic look, wouldn't look out of place in a dracula film.

View St. Merediths Satellite image @ Google Maps.

Conversion

2006-09-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

A converted farmhouse makes a stunning home.

Cottage Thatch

2006-09-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

Closeup of one of the thatch cottages in Godshill - you can see how intricate the thatch is.

Ryde Massive

2006-09-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ryde seafront - the 'shopping center' end. Blogged from flickr to
enable notes to be added. Shows almost the entire western end of the seafront.

Royal Essex Cottage

2006-09-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

Returning to Godshill and another of the famous thatched cottages.

Doorway

2006-09-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Today's theme for Daily Photobloggers is Doorways.

I thought this would be most fitting for Ryde - it shows that the Isle of Wight is quite a rural place.

41 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st September theme.

Please use the links to below to visit them.

Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.

If you view after the date then you may find the theme no longer accessible on some sites, but the majority will be available in archives.

1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -19 -20 -21 -22 -23 -24 -25 -26 -27 -28 -29 -30-31 -32 -33 -34 -35 -36 -37 -38 -39 -40 -41

Lavender Cottage

2006-08-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

Another of the picturesque cottages in Godshill

The Garden

2006-08-29T04:12:00.000-07:00

While out cycling around the Island I passed this beautiful garden. Obviously a lot of hard work has gone into it and you can even see the owner cutting his grass when I took the shot.

Visiting Cowes 2

2006-08-27T00:02:00.000-07:00

A little further along the same road and your right alongside the sea. Further to the right is the beginning of Southampton water.

Visiting Cowes

2006-08-25T23:55:00.000-07:00

This is part of probably the most famous place on the Island, Cowes. Famous for the Cowes week and starting point in many worldwide yacht races, this is just one of the small roads that follow the coastline around that part of the Island. In the distance you can see the see.

View Satellite Image of this location @ Google Maps.

The Cottage

2006-08-24T22:37:00.001-07:00

Not a thatched cottage this time, but an old cottage nonetheless. This cottage is near Brighstone also, just down some small lane that not much traffic passes. I wonder what the story of it is, who lived there and how old it is?

Also, does anybody know what the small white 'pegs' are on the roadside? In Scandinavia they have them to show where the edge of the road is when its snowing, but theres not much snow on the Island?

More Thatch

2006-08-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Continuing with thatched roofs, this lovely little house can be found on the far south-west of the Island in a place called 'Brighstone'. Tucked away from the main towns, Brighstone is famous for the thatched cottages - in fact, they're the only reason to visit the place. I`m not sure if this house isn't lived in or they just cant be bothered to cut the grass!

View Satellite Image of Brighstone @ Google Maps.
You can see a few thatched cottages dotted around the village.

A mirror image?

2006-08-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

This almost fooled me when I first looked at it - it looked like a mirror ball of the Union Street in Ryde but when you look at it carefully its actually a picture of the street from days gone by - the 1950's I would guess. Quite an interesting trick for the eye!

View Satellite Image of Union Street @ Google Maps.

Godshill Cottage

2006-08-21T23:13:00.000-07:00

Thatched cottages in Godshill. So named after the church which is on the hill behind this cottage. Godshill is one of the major tourist attractions on the island due to the thatched cottages and model village. The place is full of tourists in the summer yet completely empty in winter, even though it doesn't lose its charm.

View Satellite Image of Godshill @ Google Maps.

Old Railways

2006-08-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

Many years ago the Isle of Wight had a large rail network, running from Ryde to Ventnor (in the South) and all the way to Yarmouth and Freshwater in the West. These were the days of steam trains - popular and used by many people in their hayday but then all of a sudden the popularity disappeared. The picture shows one former rail line near Yarmouth.

The Isle of Wight railway c.1948.

Now, all the tracks have been removed apart from the Ryde to Shanklin route, which has a former London Underground train running it! There is one line still using steam, from Smallbrook to Wooton, running during the summer (The Havenstreet Railway).

The Isle of Wight railway c.2006

Personally I think its quite sad that all the railways were lost over the years. It would have been a very pleasant experience, taking the train all over the Island instead of having to ride in noisy buses on the bumpy Isle of Wight roads.

View Satellite Image of location @ Google Maps
You can clearly follow the old track.

View Satellite Image of Havenstreet Railway @ Google Maps
With one of the steam trains in the station!

Trees and Hills

2006-08-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

Some more of the beautiful scenery the Isle of Wight is famous for.

Treelined roads

2006-08-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

This is a typical 'treelined road' you can find on the Isle of Wight - very picturesque and colourful ;)

Tea and a flower

2006-08-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

A tea room right in the center of Ventnor town. Picturesque but perhaps a little noisy?

View Satellite image of this location @ Google Maps.

The Old Curiosity Shop

2006-08-15T23:15:00.000-07:00

An intriguing shop window in Ryde. Kind of 'a shop window within a shop window'.

Ryde Castle

2006-08-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Continuing the theme of authentic english pubs - well, this isn't quite so authentic, but I thought I`d feature it anyway!

View Ryde Castle @ Google Maps.

The Battery Inn

2006-08-13T01:47:00.000-07:00

Another traditional local pub in Ryde. Located at the far Eastern end of the seafront, you`ll find 'The Battery Inn' which is in a perfect position, next to the seafront with fantastic sea views and the chance to sit outside and enjoy the sea air. Located on a quiet road the runs to Seaview, it has plenty of character and charm.

View Satellite image of 'The Battery Inn' @ Google Maps.

Fast Cat Ryde

2006-08-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

This is Fast Cat Ryde, one of the high speed catamarans that run from Portsmouth to Ryde and v.v. This was taken when it was leaving Ryde Pier Head, leaving a cloud of diesel smoke behind it. This is one of the new
'Cats' that run the route, with coffee bar (which seems to open when it feels like) and you can even walk around on it (you weren't allowed to walk around on the old 'cats').

View Satellite image of location @ Google Maps.
This image shows one of the old cats arriving at the pier head.

The Road Sign

2006-08-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

A road name sign, found at the beginning of one of the streets in Ryde. The sign is so full of 'Victorian' character and charm and the spiders web just adds to that.

Ryde Pier at Night

2006-07-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

One of my personal favorite pictures I`ve shot of Ryde Pier. The reflections came out well and with the added touch of cloud and the car headlight trails it has that nice sparkle. I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I enjoyed taking it!

Ryde at Night

2006-07-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

A little bit of digital trickery with the car lights gives the scene a ghostly appearance ;)

Location: At the bottom of Rydes main shopping street.

Mystery Plant

2006-07-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

While out wandering one day I came across these strange plants. I have no idea what they are but they looked fairly dramatic. Answers on a postcard please!

Trees

2006-07-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

Trees before summer arrived.

Old Rope

2006-07-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

As Ryde is a seafaring town I thought I`d post a picture of some rope that I found in the yacht marina.

Paddling Pool

2006-07-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist posting this picture - I love reflections ;) This is the paddling pool at the far end of Ryde Seafront. This shot was taken in the winter after a storm which is why theres no children here, the waterfall isn't running and the trees have no leaves ;)

View Satellite image of the Ryde paddling pool @ Google Maps.

The Garden Gate

2006-07-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

No need to say anything more?

A Sandy Beach

2006-07-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is the sandy beach which I mentioned in the 'Ryde Marina' post below.

A bus passes

2006-07-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

This is the first of a series of my more 'artistic' shots from the Island. I hope you enjoy them ;)

Ryde Marina

2006-07-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

Built from reclaimed land, the 'new' Ryde Marina is a place where the rich (or not so rich) can moor their boats when they visit Ryde. This is right on the seafront near the pier and bowling alley/ice rink and is only a few hundred metres from the local shopping streets. Just over the wall is a huge sandy beach with smooth golden white sand.

Its a nice place to visit in the summer and the beach is pretty much always packed on a hot day.

View Satellite image of Ryde Marina @ Google Maps.
The sand building up along the side is purely due to the new harbour and I wonder how what other adverse effects these man made harbours have on the environment.

Ryde St. Johns

2006-07-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

I thought I`d post this image of a typical British street - I know theres people around the world that might be interested, so here it is! This is the central road in Ryde, a main road that all the traffic passing through Ryde to get to other destinations passes through.

The bridge and metal shed are Ryde St. Johns railway station. The Isle of Wight has a very short (only 10km) railway which uses former London Underground trains. Visitors think they're quaint! The railway begins at the top of Ryde Pier and continues to Shanklin.

View Satellite image of Ryde St. Johns @ Google Maps.

A bit more of the country

2006-07-17T23:07:00.000-07:00

A little more of the lush green countryside the Isle of Wight is famous for.

Ryde Pier

2006-07-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

This is Ryde Pier, one of the main sights you'll definately see if you come to the Island as a foot passenger from Portsmouth. Due to the severe tides in this part of the world, the pier has to be long! nearly 700m long to be precise. A bit of background information from The Heritage Trail :

'Designed by John Kent of Southampton, the foundation stone of Ryde Pier was laid on 29th June 1813, the completed pier opening a year later on 26th July 1814. Overnight the perilous embarkation and disembarkation of the seafaring public had become a thing of the past. Originally built of timber, to a length of 1,740ft (527m), the pier was little more than a 12ft (3.6m) wide wooden jetty able to handle only relatively small sailing boats, but as the size of passenger vessels increased so did the pier. Ryde Pier was extended to a length of 2,040ft (618m) in 1824 and the pier-head was enlarged in 1827. A further extension in 1833 took the overall length to 2,250ft (681m), while the pier-head was again extended in 1842 and the late 1850s.'

View Satellite image of Ryde Pier @ Google Maps.
(looks like Google messed up a bit on this shot!)

A little of the country, a little of the sea

2006-07-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

On the Isle of Wight you get it all - countryside and then right next to it the sea. This is a view taken from the downs above Shanklin (on the way to Ventnor). In the distance you can once again see Culver Down (see previous post). We're facing north and you`ll come to mainland England if you continue across the sea in that direction (Selsey).

View Satellite image of this location @ Google Maps.

View Satellite image of Culver Down @ Google Maps.
You can clearly see the old Coastguard houses in this picture. I wonder how they got down to the sea.

Apply Tower

2006-07-14T23:57:00.000-07:00

Apply Tower is a bit of a mystery. Located on the East beach of Ryde, far away from the crowded shopping streets this tower can be found on the way to Puckpool Park (a former fortification used during various wars). The details about the tower are sketchy at best, with rumours persisting that there is a network of old tunnels running from under it to the forts out in the Solent (you can see one of them just the right of the tower).

Currently its a seasonal shop of some kind, after being restored, and I think you can walk to the top of the tower when its open. Personally I`ve known about the tower for years, its been a constant fixture on the sea front and everybody uses it as a meeting point/focal point for events.

I managed to catch two jugglers in the picture in mid juggle - a bit of lucky timing!

View Satellite image of Apply Tower @ Google Maps.

Quarr Abbey

2006-07-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Just on the outshirts of Ryde you can find Quarr Abbey. Its home to Benedictine Monks but you're welcome to drop in, have a cup of tea in the gardens, visit the chapel on a Sunday (when I took this shot if you notice the cars!) or just wander around looking at the architecture.

The original Quarr Abbey dates from 1132-1536, wheres the 'modern' Abbey dates from 1901-2004.Visit the Quarr Abbey web site for more information.

View Quarr Abbey @ Google Maps.
You can clearly see the whole Abbey and gardens in this picture.

Live in a Fairytale

2006-07-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

One of the many thatched roof houses on the Island. They may look pretty but when you have to have the roof re-thatched once every five years it is an expensive way to live! The thatched houses date back to the 18th century. This one is in Ventnor.

Sunset aboard ship

2006-07-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

This shot is taken from the top deck of one of the Fishbourne ferries you can take to the Island. Its mainly a car ferry but I feel, like many others, the high speed catamarans which take you there in 15 minutes, are just a little too quick. I think the trip needs to be savoured and the car ferry takes 45 minutes from Portsmouth.

You can enjoy the view, watch the ships in the Solent and generally relax, rather than be shunted on at one end and off at the other like a herd of sheep!

View Satellite image of Fishbourne @ Google Maps.
You can even see one of the car ferries docking in this picture!

The Countryside

2006-07-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

A typical scene you might see on the Isle of Wight - beautiful lush pastures, trees and fields.

Down at Joe's

2006-07-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is Joe's, previously known as Joe Daflo's. Its down the main shopping street in Ryde, amongst the pubs and souvenir shops. Originally Joe Daflo's was started by Mark King of Level 42, but I heard he sold it on some time ago. Its created in the style of the US deep south - a jazz cafe kind of thing. There used to be live bands playing there, not sure if they do anymore.

Ryde is a funny place - the only major 'shops' in the town are estate agents, charity shops and souvenirs. They did say that Ryde was a dying town, losing many of its small family run stores after Somerfield (a large supermarket) was built there. I remember some time ago a decorating store closed and a sign was left in the window saying `we're leaving after 35 years in the same shop`.

You may have previously heard of Ryde in one of The Beatles most famous songs - 'Ticket to Ride (or Ryde)'. They're actually trying to get Paul to visit the Island as a tribute to the song :D

View Satellite image of Joe's and Union Street in Ryde @ Google Maps.

The pub at Fishbourne

2006-07-07T03:54:00.000-07:00

One of the picturesque pubs you can find on the Island. This one (The Fishbourne Inn) is tucked just around the corner from the dock where the Portsmouth - Fishbourne car ferry arrives. A nice place to visit after the trip indeed! The pub was refurbished and extended in 2002 but I guess the original building dates way back.

View Satellite image of the Fishbourne Inn @ Google Maps.

Visiting Ventnor: Summer palaces

2006-07-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

I thought I would complete the Visiting Ventnor posts with another picture of some of the nice houses you can find down there. These were just tucked away on the side of a road that runs along the coast - you cant quite see the see from road level, but I`m sure you can from these houses top floors. I like the lush greenery and flowers in this shot.

Across the road from these houses is the local cricket club - I can imagine the owners settling down on their balcony to watch a match ;)

View Satellite image of this location @ Google Maps

At the beach

2006-07-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

The Isle of Wight is famous for its sandy beaches and here is a prime example. This is a view from Shanklin facing towards Sandown on the East coast of the island. In the distance you can see Culver down which has amazing views from the top - there are some old coastguard houses right on the very top!

Also in the distance along the beach is Sandown pier - the only pier still standing along this stretch of the island after the storms of 1987 blew down Shanklin pier.

View Satellite image of this location @ Google Maps.

Visiting Ventnor: The Palm Garden

2006-07-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ventnor Botanic Garden is host to many different plants and trees from around the world, mainly due to the location and temperate conditions that Ventnor brings. This is a good example of that, showing the beatifully designed 'Palm Garden'.

"The garden site was at one time a Royal National Hospital for diseases of the chest and for 80 years it was a major factor in Isle of Wight life at Ventnor. But with the discovery of an effective treatment for tuberculosis the hospital became redundant and soon deteriorated beyond repair. It was demolished in 1969."

There is a story that the gardens are haunted by the ghost of one of the nurses that was based at that hospital. You can see a picture of how the hospital looked here.

View Satellite image of Ventnor Botanic Garden @ Google Maps.

Visiting Ventnor: Flowers in bloom

2006-07-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

These are some of the typical houses you might find in Ventnor, at the far Southern most point of the Island. Its famous for being the hottest (near tropical) place on the Island, mainly due to overhanging hills that trap the hot air. You can find palm trees aplenty, a nice beach and some pretty houses. I`ll be posting a few pictures from there in the coming days.

View Satellite image of Ventnor @ Google maps.

Visiting Ventnor: Bonchurch

2006-07-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

This is the original chuch in Bonchurch, a small village just to the right of Ventnor. The church dates from 1080 (believe it or not). The local villagers look after the church and its open to the public most days during the summer.

I didn't know about this church before I came across it - its not well signposted, theres no cars allowed down the road that the church is located in and no traffic go past. Its kind of 'hanging' on the top of a cliff and I`m sorry to think that it might fall into the sea sometime in the future due to the erosion of the cliffs (the Island suffers from erosion badly).

View Satellite image of Bonchurch 'original' church.