(Check out Part 1 of our mummy break here)
It was a novelty not to wake up to CBeebies at silly o’clock, instead we took a leisurely breakfast at our hotel then had a wander down to the dazzling seafront and into the town to have gander around the independent shops. I managed to sniff out the odd charity shop so I was in my happy place. Thankfully the weather app was right and we were welcomed with bright blue skies and unusually warm temperatures for this time of year, no complaining from us!
We drove up the island to The Llama Tree Cafe for lunch, sadly the wood fired pizzas (of which this place is renowned) weren’t available but the homemade quiche and cake more than made up for this tragedy. It also gives us another reason to go back. You can even get up close with the animals on the working farm or have a browse in the Yarn Barn shop that’s full of snuggly knits and the cutest fluffy slippers - many items made using the wool of the alpacas and llamas onsite.
Driving around the island can be an adventure in itself. As it is relatively small in size (approx 380km) when there are roadworks or diversions in place then you leave the main roads and head off down the rural, winding back routes keeping an eye out for passing places. It’s best to leave enough time to get around in case of being stuck behind a tractor, horse riders or even a mobility scooter (all three happened to us on the same day!). Apart from the potential rural delays it is also a breathtaking run with coastal views nestled next to rolling lush green hills and cute villages.
What’s a girly break without a spot of pampering?! I was VERY excited to visit West Bay Club for a much needed pregnancy massage. Located near Yarmouth, as soon as you walk in to the Island Wellness Spa you feel your shoulders sink and breathing soften (which may have something to do with the scent from this candle that I *may* have added to my Christmas wish list).
Aqua blues, bleached beachy floors and flickering tealights set the scene for one of the best massages I have ever had. I got to pick an oil that I’d like and was given a detailed run-through of the pressure points and areas that the therapist would be working on. I just wished I could have stayed on that bed for the rest of the day. Utter bliss.
Robin Hill Country Park was lit up for the Festival of Light, inspired by Diwali, and was a spectacle to be seen. The stunning autumnal-hued trees were frosted with multi-coloured lights, paper lanterns and flashy effects making this a party in the park that you wanted to be part of. On a clear, and thankfully, dry evening we wandered along the colourful lit up paths arriving at the popular marshmallow pit. Here we also had an Indian enhanced menu of beef curry in a box with crisp poppadoms and mango chutney - delicious! The festival is on until the 4th November 2018 so you still have time to experience it for yourself.
I really enjoyed our girly getaway to the Isle of Wight, I’d love to return in the summer and spend time on some of the pretty beaches but there’s certainly enough going on all year round to nip across easily for a visit. Both Jo and I came back feeling rested and recharged and ready to return to the motherhood.
As much as I appreciated my baby-free break I have to say I was ready to get my mum hat back on… well, until the next adventure calls!
Thanks to Visit South East England and Visit Isle Of Wight for hosting our stay.
All views 100% my own.
