Larian Studios Forums General Chat Chat (Anything) Around the World in ??? Days

After finally getting the gang up and going, Shan talked the group into visiting
Whipppingham Church.

Dedicated to St. Mildred, an Anglo-Saxon Princess
The foundations date back to before the Norman Conquest in 1066
The present church was designed by Prince Albert, and built in 1860
The church contains the actual chair that Queen Victoria used when she attended
services, and a candelabra given by her to the church

When Queen Victoria came to live at Osborne it was decided that a new parish
church should be built replacing the original John Nash building of 1804. Prince
Albert worked with Albert Jenkins Humbert who later designed Sandringham. The
result was a church with five pinnacles. Inside there are impressive rose
windows and a large octagonal lantern in the centre. Princess Beartrice was
married here to Prince Henry of Battenberg, uncle of Lord Louis Mountbatten.
Both in turn served as Governor of the Isle of Wight and were buried at
Whippingham Church.


Inside looking toward the altar


The Royal Pew

The Saxon Stone

The Anglo-Saxon carving set into the west wall of the porch. This is the only
tangible relic above ground of the Norman church which stood on this site.


At least Gal wore her Nikies today which made a big difference in her
temperament. She didn't drive us all crazy complaining about how much walking
we were doing and how much her feet hurt. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK, I'm going to be really nice to you and the rest of the group. I am going to
let you guys sleep until about 8:00 in the morning and then we've got to get a
move on. We are headed for Shanklin. We will see the sights there and then on
to Ventno to meet up with Alrik unless he decides to join us in Shanklin.

Once we meet up with Alri Gal, the two of you can plan you slide down the hill.
Sounds like it could be fun. I think I just might join you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK guys, what do you want to see in Shanklin?

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I suggest we first visit the local pub and sample some of it's wares...
all this sightseeing has made me very, very thirsty....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
Could we possibly get a six-pack to go too!

I don't care whether we'll meet in Shanklin or Ventnor.
So it's up to you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

@ Jurak -> You can only get a six pack to go if you let someone else do the
driving. I am tired of getting lost in the middle of nowhere. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

@ Alrik -> Then if it our choice, I choose that you meet us in Shanklin. There is
alot to see and do around there. So come on up and join us. What do you think
about doing some hiking along the Shanklin Chine or is that possible?

Guess I need to get out my tour guides and do some reading about great places to
visit tomorrow. You know what? I'm sleepy tonight. I don't think Gal is going to
have any trouble getting me to go to bed tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> That doesn't mean I won't
be ready to get up and get going early in the morning though. Oh, Gal....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Ube, what are you up to tonight? Oh, don't tell me you have already gone to bed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You know, it's sientificlly proved that you should sleep 12 hours every day to feel ok. Because of you, I barelly sleep six...

And Isle of Wight is allright, but it's getting a little boring... Were should we go now?

Übereil

*goes to sleep but not without preparing everything for tomorrow*

Whew, what a trip. Had a very hard time getting everybody up this morning, but we
were finally on our way to Shanklin. We are meeting up with Alrik there and are
going to visit some of the sights around the town.

Shanklin

We found a great little hotel to stay at while we are here and I hate to say it,
but it even has a bar for Jurak and Gal.


OK, everybody stop staring at the beds and get a move on. There will be plenty
of time to sleep tonight. You might get at least 6 hours. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Shanklin has a beautiful Old Village at the bottom of High Street and that is
where we met up with Alrik and head off to see the sights.



Have you ever heard of Keats and Longfellow. Well, Shanklin was one of their
favorite places. Keats began his long poem Lamia in a cottage under the cliff in
the days whenhe came to the islandin his pathetic search for health. Longfellow
came to the inn on the slopeof Shanklin Chine in the old part of the town. The
verse he wroteis let into a brick pillar from which water trickles for the
thirsty traveller.

0, traveller, stay thy weary feet;
Drink of this fountain pure and sweet;
It flows for rich and poor the same,
Then go thy way, remembering still
The wayside well beneath the hill,
The cup of water in His name,
The little spring discovered by the court
physician to Charles II is still running bravely.

Longfellow's fountain is outside the Crab Inn.

And yes, Jurak you can take time out for a drink while the rest of us explore
the other shops.

Pencil Cottage Gift Shop

Village Inn and the Tea Shop

Don't you just love these old thatched roofs. I wonder how well they keep the
rain out. Well, they must be pretty good because they have been around a long,
long time. This village is absolutely fantastic.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wow, we had a busy day today. We also went to St. Blasius - Shanklin Old Parish
Church.

St. Blasius

OK, guys, I guess that is about it for today. Tomorrow we walk through Shanklin
Chine. Ooooooo, I can hardly wait. I love places like that. Gal, you better be
ready to do alot of walking tomorrow. And Jurak, they did forget about you.
Fisherman's Cottage is on the beach side of the the chine and I am sure they
have plenty for you to drink. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

OK, everybody get some sleep. We are getting up bright and early tomorrow. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

phone call to Alrik -> Hey, Alrik, where is the dinasour museum you were telling
me about? I don't want to miss seeing it. Is it somewhere close around here?


phone call to Ube -> Hey, Ube, if you are getting bored here in Shanklin and
on the isle, would you like to go catch some football games while we visit a few
more place around here? There are still some other places I have just got to see
like Ventnor, Godshill, some old houses, churches, castles, and other stuff. I
think Gal mentioned Scotland was the next stop, so we could meet up with you
again on the way there.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK, everybody get up and let's get going. Today we are exploring the chine and I
don't want to waste a moment. So much to see, so much to do, and so little time to
do it in. Get up. Get up. Get up. Ah, come on everybody it is 7:00. If we don't
get started soon, we aren't going to have time to see anything. Gal would you
please get out of that bed and get a move on. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Shanklin Chine



'Chine' is a local word and now used only in the Isle of Wight and Dorset. It is
of Saxon origin and means a deep narrow ravine, formed by water cutting through
soft sandstone leading to the sea. The Saxon name for Shanklin was "Scenc-hlinc"
or "cup in the rising ground." Think, too, of the chine of a boat - the shape of
a cup - or chine as in an animal's backbone - a deep scooped-out cut.
Formation of the Chine has taken place over the last 10,000 years. The stream
would originally have flowed into the River Eastern Yar when Sandown Bay was
land. This stream is continually cutting its way back to the foot of the Downs
from whence it springs. In the latter half of the last century, stones were laid
at the top of the waterfall to arrest this progress. There are a continuous
series of spring lines on the cliff faces in the Chine. It is unique in the
quality of its flora and fauna. With a drop of 105ft to sea level, and just over
a quarter of a mile, the Chine covers an area of approximately three acres.

Map so no one has the excuse of getting lost. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />




The Chine is famous for its flora and fauna. There are at least 150 varieties of
wild plants and more than 50 species of moss and liverworts have so far been
recorded, some of them extremely rare. Ferns, grasses, wild garlic, horsetails,
golden saxifrage, wild fuchsia, winter-flowering heliotrope - to name but a few
- all grow in profusion.

Wonder how many we could spot. Hey, how about a game to see who can name the
most? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Did everybody bring their books? If not then maybe this will help
some of you.




Pictures as we make our way up the chine and through to the seaside. What a
beautiful place.




Originally "The Hot Brine Baths", this popular thatched pub nestles on the beach
at the foot of Shanklin CHine. And yes Jurak, I did say the word pub. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Fisherman's Cottage



Fisherman's Cottage was built in about 1817 by the same Mr. Colenutt who made
the path through the Chine and who was the first to operate bathing machines. In
1845 it was leased to his son-in-law, James Sampson, who also provided visitors
with hot brine baths - considered very beneficial in those days.

The sea-water was piped to a large tank and then heated in a copper boiler. The
bath was moved in 1970 to inside the lower entrance.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't know/remember where it is. It's about 10 years ago I was there, and things seem to have changed a bit ... I'm currently looking for it, too ...

Nice town this <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. ERspesially liked the church, and the roofs. Didn't like getting up that early though (it's unhealthy to not sleep enought!)...

Übereil

Guess where we went today? Bet you can't, bet you can't. We visited the dinosaurs.:) You heard me right. We went to visit the dinosaurs. Did you know:

In 1992 Steve Hutt, curator of the Museum of Isle of Wight Geology, was walking
along the cliffs on the south-western side of the Isle of Wight when he spotted
what looked like a small fragment of bone. Working on instinct he scraped the
earth away to discover a more substantial bone, one that belonged to a creature
that had fallen where Steve stood, 120 million years ago. This resulted in the
excavation of the Island’s largest dinosaur: Brachiosaurus.

This, and many other discoveries has led to the Isle of Wight's nickname of
'Dinosaur Island' and resulted in the recent dig with the BBC along the Island's
south coast.

Dinosaur Museum



Remember Jurassic Park? Well you will be one step closer to seeing Pterodactyls at
Dinosaur Isle. The Isle of Wight is the richest source of dinosaur remains in
Europe and Dinosaur Isle is to be Britain’s first purpose built dinosaur
attraction and aims to reconstruct the 125 million year old giant reptiles and
place them in their natural habitat, using life sized models (in some cases
moving ones), sounds, smells and computer technology.


Some of the things we saw. This was a great place and a really fun place to visit.







Now wouldn't you liked to have lived back in pre-historic times and walked
among those giant creatures? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

The museum was great. I just wish we could have stayed longer. But not enough
time. We still have lots to see before we leave Monday morning.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We also paid a visit to the Old Boniface Church.

Legend has it that monks from the Abbey of Lyra, in Normandy, crossed over to the
Island, and landed at Monks' Bay. They built a small curious edifice on the woody
plateau where the Old Church now stands and dedicated it to St. Boniface. It is
said that they chose for their site the ruins of a Saxon Church, and this is
supported by the fact that they dedicated their Church to a Saxon Saint, though
they themselves were Normans.

The Old Church



The Church is only 48ft in length by 12ft wide, and it is the type of a private
chapel. The Chancel and the south door are examples of the earliest Norman
architecture, the door made of planks placed horizontally within, perpendicularly
without, and studded with nails.

More pictures of the Old Church



Entrance to the Church



Inside the Church



The Old Church at Bonchurch is not Saxon, but Norman. This is explained by
another story, which tells us that in the 11th Century, monks from Lyre Abbey,
Normandy landed in nearby Monks Bay, named after their arrival, in order to
administer the collection of tithes, rents etc. of the six Island churches owned
by Lyre Abbey.

The Monks are believed to have discovered a ruined Saxon church, and as an act
of thanksgiving for safely crossing the channel, rebuilt it, dedicating it to
the Saxon Saint. The Old Church was replaced in 1848 by the New Church of Saint
Boniface, but not demolished. Every 5th June, Saint Boniface Day, a special
candle-lit service is held there.

Now would you love to attend a candle-lit service in the Old Church? I would.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Legend about St. Boniface:

Most of the legends of Saint Boniface on the Island relate to events after his
death, yet there are stories about his visits, most of which take place around
the area of Bonchurch. It is from there that he is supposed to have preached to
the Island fishermen, from what is still known as Pulpit Rock.

One of which concerns a time when he was having doubts about his faith, and
walked along the coast near what is now Bonchurch. There he sat down, asking for
a sign from God to help him through his doubts. As he was there, a boy who had
dug a hole in the sand picked up a shell, filled it with sea water, and then
emptied it into his hole. He did this several times, before throwing away the
shell in anger and crying.

Wynfryth asked him why he was crying, to which he replied, 'I wanted to empty
the sea into the hole I dug, but I can't!'

Boniface replied, enlightened, 'That is the same cause of my doubts - I have
been trying to fit the infinite inside my finite mind!' and went off, confirmed
in his faith.


Another lengend about St. Boniface:

Most of the legends of Saint Boniface on the Island relate to events after his
death, yet there are stories about his visits, most of which take place around
the area of Bonchurch. It is from there that he is supposed to have preached to
the Island fishermen, from what is still known as Pulpit Rock.

One of which concerns a time when he was having doubts about his faith, and
walked along the coast near what is now Bonchurch. There he sat down, asking for
a sign from God to help him through his doubts. As he was there, a boy who had
dug a hole in the sand picked up a shell, filled it with sea water, and then
emptied it into his hole. He did this several times, before throwing away the
shell in anger and crying.

Wynfryth asked him why he was crying, to which he replied, 'I wanted to empty
the sea into the hole I dug, but I can't!'

Boniface replied, enlightened, 'That is the same cause of my doubts - I have
been trying to fit the infinite inside my finite mind!' and went off, confirmed
in his faith.


And one more:

Another story related to St. Boniface Down is how a Bishop, riding the slopes of
Boniface Down on a wild, stormy night, lost his way and was in danger of falling
down a precipice, into the rocks below. The Bishop, fearing for his life, let go
of the reigns and prayed to the spiritual guidance of Saint Boniface, promising
to give the Saint's church an acre of land as a reward. The horse then guided
him safely and directly to Saint Boniface's Well. As a result, the bishop kept
his word, and Bishop's Acre survives today.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nice, Shan, liked the museum (espessially the building, which looked REALLY nice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />).

Übereil

Well, everybody, I guess it is time to leave the Isle of Wight. It is sad for
me because just the little time we have spent there, I have fallen in love with
the place. Hopefully some time in the future I can come back and stay longer.
There is still so much I would like to see and do but it is time to move on, so
tomorrow we are off to France.

Ube, you mentioned taking the tunnel. Since I am unfamiliar with it, will you
tell us a little about it and where we will catch the train and where we will
end up?

Oh, well, I guess we had better get some sleep. We are off to France in the
morning. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nite, everyone.

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

By the tunnel I mean the tunnel under the English canal.

The idea of digging a tunnel under the canal has been around since Napoleon's days, but at the time the tecnique to make it real wasn't avaliable. So, it was put on ice until 1988, when an agreement was made (doesn't mentio between who though), and they could start digging for real. It was finnished in 1994.

It is the longest underwatertunnel in the world, it is more than 50 km between the two ends, who is Kent and Nordamrie. Here is a small and very simple map...



We'll with car to Kent, where we wait for some time, and buy some old school english sandwiches:



I acually had some of the best sandwiches in my entire life (THAT'S heavy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />) here, I remember them containing chicken and bacon, and some more things which I can't remember <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />. Anyway, we can eat them during the roughlly 30 minutes long trainride to Normandie.

After that, I don't know what to do. I was thinking of hedding to Paris with some stops in between, if you have any ideas, please bring them up. I've got a slight fever ( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />), so don't wake me up too early Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />.

Übereil

But, Ube, if I let you sleep to late then we might miss the train. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Those sandwiches sure look and sound yummy. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!
Now you wouldn't want us to miss getting one of those because you were late
getting up, would you?

Finally got Ube out of bed and headed for Kent. We got some of those delicious
sandwiches that he had told me so much about and then got the train to
Normandy. Now that was some train ride. I am still having a hard time believing
that we actually went under the English Chanel. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

We spent the day in Normandy visiting some of the sites there. I talked Ube into
going with me to see the Bayeux Tapestries. If I was in Normandy, I just had to
see them They were sooooooo cool.

The Bayeux Tapestry -

The Bayeux Tapestry is preserved and displayed in Bayeux, in Normandy, France.
Nothing is known for certain about the tapestry’s origins. The first written
record of the Bayeux Tapestry is in 1476 when it was recorded in the cathedral
treasury at Bayeux as "a very long and narrow hanging on which are embroidered
figures and inscriptions comprising a representation of the conquest of
England".

The Bayeux Tapestry was probably commissioned in the 1070s by Bishop Odo of
Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror. It is over 70 metres long and
although it is called a tapestry it is in fact an embroidery, stitched not woven
in woollen yarns on linen. Some historians argue that it was embroidered in
Kent, England. The original tapestry is on display at Bayeux in Normandy,
France.


A few pictures of part of the tapestry and the story the part tells.



It is 1064. In the Royal Palace of Westminster Edward the Confessor, King of
England since 1042, is talking to his brother-in-law Harold, Earl of Wessex.
After this Harold, holding a hawk, makes for the south coast with his followers
and hunting dogs. They are heading for Bosham in Sussex, Harold’s family estate.



Harold and a companion enter the church at Bosham, to pray for a safe voyage.
The night before they leave a feast is held in one of Harold's many houses - the
manor house at Bosham. Harold boards his ship and sets sail. He is still
carrying his hawk.



Harold’s ship is driven across the channel. From the mast a lookout spies land.
It is Ponthieu, north of Normandy, the territory of the fierce Count Guy. Harold
is shown twice. At the left he stands on the ship, ready to land. As soon as he
climbs down, he is seized by the soldiers of Count Guy who directs operations
from horseback.


Now Ube, aren't you glad you decided to come with me? That tapestry was great
and we didn't even show them half of it. It is soooooooooo long. See Gal, I
told you, you would like it. And I know you enjoyed looking at it even though
you won't admit it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Shan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/alien.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />