I don’t think I ever would have visited if my grandparents hadn’t moved there 8 years ago, but now it’s become a place I know quite well. During my most recent Christmas visit I took my two James’ as a sort of comfort blanket. I’m very, very lucky to have such wonderful friends. I get on well with both my parents, but there are some members of my American family who genuinely trouble me! I knew the Christmas visit would see me arguing about something at some point and I needed my two knights in shining armour to act as my own suit of armour.
Family aside, it was a really lovely few days spent in the Isle Of Wight. I took very few pictures apart from this bracing walk in Quarr Abbey, a peaceful (still operative) monastery in the north of the Isle. We wandered through the ruins of the original monastery, exploring and adventuring through original doorways and under broken arches; now display cabinets for mossy boulders and occasional skulls. It was nice to have some time just the three of us, away from my problematic family. We spent most of our time in the big shared family house playing chess and watching films or at my grandparents place; playing the piano, listening to my Granddad talk about Vietnam and Kenya and celebrating his 90th birthday with a huge elephant-shaped cake.
TAPE PARADE 
It looks stunning – amazing picture of the birds too.
Lizzie Dripping
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That’s amazing, that you have family living on the Isle of Wight! And the pictures are great! I want so much to go there – I know it must be beautiful, but I was interested in Osborne House (Queen Victoria…), so I am so glad to see you here and your pictures! You look really lovely and always beautiful, you know that! I would love to listen to stories about Vietnam! Good to have your knights near you :) Much needed sometimes, as guardian-angels!
DenisesPlanet.com
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I agree. I literally don’t know what I would do without those two x
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family can be so difficult, eh! but it looks like you had a lovely time as well, and i hope your granddad had a lovely birthday:-) at least it sounded lovely. i’d love to visit the isle of wight, it seems like a wonderful place:-) x
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It is a wonderful place yes! You should go one day if you get the chance :) x
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Ive never been to the Isle of Wight but would love to go! Looks beautiful!
Sarah-Jane xo // http://www.vmgirl.me
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So stunning! I lived on the south coast for 22 years and never made it over to the Isle of Wight – terrible, I should fix that one day! xx
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It’s always the places round the corner we never get to visit! :) X
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I honestly think you would be hard-pressed to find a person that doesn’t have SOME family issue, especially over the holidays! I know on our Christmas trip it was all about trying to keep everyone happy. Isle of Wright sounds like an amazing place, and your description of the time spent sounds lovely indeed.
Oh, your hair looks especially lovely in these photos!
♥ perfectly Priya
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