It was early one bright Sunday morning that my fiancé Steve, my two and half year old son Ethan and I set off on the two hour(ish) journey to Southampton to begin our daytrip to the Isle of Wight.
The aim of our trip was to complete the Red Funnel Treasure Hunt. However we need to rewind 48 hours to the Friday. I arrived home to an email with our ferry tickets attached. The crossing times that had been booked for us didn’t fit in with our plans for the day. The accompanying email said we were able to change the times if we needed. I rang the given phone number and a very helpful and efficient lady changed the crossings to the times that we wanted in the space of five minutes.
We arrived at the Red Funnel Terminal after a hassle free journey – amazing considering we had to use both the M1 and the M25! Check-in was a quick procedure and we were quickly in line to board the ferry. Boarding was once again very straight forward– beginning to notice a bit of a pattern here?
Once we were parked it was straight upstairs for breakfast – 2 bacon baps and a slice of toast. At a cost of just over £8 we felt it was a little expensive but they were good bacon rolls! Once breakfast was finished we ventured outside to the top deck where it was a little windy but there was an area where you could be protected from the elements by a screen. However Ethan was more than happy to sit right at the front and brave the bracing weather so Mummy and Daddy had no choice but to do the same! In no time at all it was time to head back downstairs to the car and before we knew it we were off the ferry and on the A3021 out of Cowes.
First stop was St Mildred’s Church designed in part by Prince Albert – a very distinctive looking church. However we didn’t dally too long as there were plenty more clues to answer! We headed towards the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, travelling through some lovely countryside. Unfortunately we were a week too early as train rides started a week after our visit! We answered the two clues and got back in the car to head towards Brading Roman Villa. A couple of clues to solve here and the same old familiar faces to bump into – a word of warning - you will inevitably bump into the same people throughout the day – surprising how many people are doing the Treasure Hunt!
Next stop was Shanklin Old Village – for me the best part of the day. We solved the two clues and then took a nice relaxing break outside The Crab Inn, with a very welcome drink. The view was just perfect and we intend to return to The Holliers Hotel, across the road, for a longer stay. Before we got too relaxed it was time to get back in the car and head to Bonchurch - Steve’s favourite part of the day. A chance to walk along the seafront and then head up to St Boniface’s Church – a delightful little church. Be warned though the climb is steep and there are steps involved. Once the hill has been climbed it’s a gentle stroll back along the main street to the idyllic duck pond.
Once we returned to the car we realised time was running out on us and so the rest of the visit was conducted at a bit of a faster pace than we would have wished and no photos were taken. At Godshill - a lovely little village popular with day trippers – Steve and Ethan enjoyed an ice cream while I raced along the High Street to solve the 3 clues and then it was back to the car for the journey to Carisbrooke Castle just south west of Newport, the Island’s capital. However we soon realised we would not have time to solve that clue and be back in East Cowes in time for our ferry so we will never know what the backwards B on the castle gates has that the other doesn’t! Though if anyone is able to enlighten us we may be in with a chance of £10,000!!
We arrived back at the ferry terminal in good time and were soon on board and heading home. After a stress free ferry crossing, a quick disembarkation at Southampton and a traffic free trip round the M25 and up the M1 we found ourselves three miles from home enjoying a pub meal and reflecting what a good day it had been and how the Treasure Hunt had allowed us to see parts of the Island we wouldn’t necessarily have visited.
It’s a great way of seeing the Isle of Wight but to give yourself a chance of winning the £10,000 allow a whole day- the recommended half a day is just not enough time. We will definitely make a return trip but not in time to enter the competition which ends mid April.
by
Hayley Wilmot , mum to 5 children and a member of TheBabyWebsite
March 2009
Red Funnel is offering avid adventurers the chance to win an incredible £10,000 and discover the beauty of the Isle of Wight in Red Funnel’s Isle of Wight Treasure Hunt. Final entries must be received either online or by post, by noon on Tuesday 21st April. The winner will be announced on Friday 24 April. Travelling to the Isle of Wight is easy with Red Funnel. Vehicle Ferries run regularly around the clock from Southampton, which is within easy reach of the M3 and M27, and the Red Jet Hi-Speed foot passenger service whisks visitors to the Island in just 23 minutes. For more information about entry and reservations call Red Funnel on 0844 844 9988 or visit www.redfunnel.co.uk . | 
Lainston House Hotel
