Isle of Wight - BBQ

It has been a tradition since my boyfriends family has gone to the isle of wight to have a family BBQ and invited the owners of the farm along as well. Tables groaning from the weight of food and drinks being topped up throughtout the isle of wight BBQ night is somewhat of a legend.

This is my first family BBQ on the island as last year our August weather was such a let down our food would have floated to us from the amount of rain fall we had. However this year it was different. Evey day was glourious and we picked a the best one of them all to have our BBQ. After having spent most of the day on the beach, we rushed back to the farm to get ready for the evenings fun and games. With all the caravan ovens heating up to keep plates and food warm and the frams rayburn slowly cooking our beef.

We layed out the garden tables and benches and packed it full of salads, potato salads, wine and beer and waited for chef (G's uncle) to start the BBQ. Cheers all round when the first burger hit.

After are bellies were full of meat and salads, the cricket set was set up and the game commenced. Yet the darkness set it quite quickly and the game had to be postponed due to lack of light. Another glass of wine was poured or cans of beer being opened and we set up camp in one of the caravans for the rest of the night, chatting, telling stories and enjoying the company of others.

Jessie-Lou
xxx

Isle of Wight - Yarmouth & Godshill

So I have finally made it off the farm and put my kindle down for a couple of hours. My mum arrived to the farm yesterday and as it is such a lovely day we decided to take the car and take a quick drive to Yarmouth to see the boats and sea, then head back to the beach for an afternoon of playing in the sea and lying in the sun.

Yarmouth is a small town, mainly a sailing area but has one of the cutest coffee shops on the pier overlooking the sea that leads across to Southampton. As my mum hadn't been before, she was looking for idyllic pictures to take and presents to take home for the family and we were in luck in both areas.  After wondering round the secret streets, it was time for a much needed coffee and cake or in my case a traditional Isle of Wight cream tea (YUM). After savouring my last bite of the cream tea (was devoured quicker than I thought) mum and I wondered along the peer to enjoy the view and watch the boats making their adventures off to sea.

The pier takes about 5 minutes to walk and on each plank has a name or business name painted onto it, as a thank you to those who have brought a plank to keep the pier going (lovely thought). After wondering back off the pier we wondered down some little side streets to admire the boutique stores and galleries. Once we saw everything we came to see we headed back to the farm, changed into our swim suits and headed to the beach to lie in the sun and enjoy the rhythmic sounds of the waves.

As my mum was only staying on the island for a long weekend we had to pack a lot of the sight seeing into those days as well as having our fix on the beach, not easy thing to do but we did it. On the Monday the sun decided to desert us and the clouds rolled in making our early morning beach trip a little difficult, so we changed our plans and headed over to the idyllic village called Godshill. Where one of my favourite stores is located (Chocolate Island - more on this later). Godshill is the typical tourist spot, with the coach loads appearing. However due to the sun finally making its appearance when we arrived (typical) we wondered round the thatch roof cottages, hidden stores and pubs.

We stumbled across a fairy garden which was amazing (even though the fairies did scare me a little bit). After taking lots of pictures and creating little stories for the fairy queen. We nipped into Godshill cafe (famous for their cream teas) for a spot of lunch. All of us having had enough cream tea to last us a life time opted for the savoury option. Well I did anyway as my sweet fix would be happening not to long afterwards as the next stop on our Godshill tour was Chocolate island. This little shop not only has chocolate falling out the door in all shapes and flavours but through the back you can watch the very chocolate you buy being made (something I must learn to do in my life time).

Jessie-Lou

xxx

Isle of Wight!!

Island Map

The Needles

Like I mentioned before I spent two weeks on the Isle of Wight with my boyfriend, his family and for a couple of days my mum (so quite a few of us).  We headed off to Portsmouth early hours of Saturday morning to make our 5am ferry. These were running smoothly and we were on time to get the ferry, however my boyfriend missed a turning which added 30 minutes to our time meaning we may not catch our ferry. This is when the stress free journey turned a little tense, however by the skin of our teeth we made the ferry (being the last car on) and once the cars all locked up we headed up on deck to watch the sun rise over the water. 

Now the relaxation can commence, having nipped to Tesco to get some breakfast goodies, wet set up our breakfast feast/BBQ on the cliffs overlooking our favorite spot (Compton Bay).  With cups of teas handed out and bacon rolls and sausage sandwiches being made, I could feel the strains of London life lifting on me (sigh of relief). Once are bellies were deliciously full and enough tea was consumed to keep us happy, we made our way down the cliff to enjoy and morning stroll across the beach, clear waters, volcanic sand beneath our feet and the sun shining down onto our shoulders. Bliss.  As we were staying on a friends farm, my boyfriend G and I had our own caravan to stay in, from late night drinking and card games to early morning breakfast and walks around the farm made up our days, (or one early morning walk for me and then decided sleeping in was much more appealing). 

As I was away for two weeks I won't share all those days and most consisted on me laying in the sun with my book, a cold refreshing drink or enjoying the freshness of the sea and body boarding till the tide went out. However I did manage to drag myself off the farm some days so keep reading for my Isle of Wight days. 

Jessie-Lou
xxx

Minds of Wonder

After a very lovely couple of weeks of relaxing and celebrating my mind is full of adventures yet to come.



Wedding days and loving memories



Snap happy



should of had my hair like this



As you probably can tell i'm in the holiday mood with the hint of wanting another celebration to attend.

More of my wonderings to come, stay tuned.

Jessie-Lou

xxx

(All images taken from pinterest - wish i could have taken them my own photos will appear soon)

I'm Back!

I've been a very naughty blogger and have been MIA for the last couple of weeks.

I have been a very busy little bee with holidays and an amazing Scottish wedding. Now that I am back I can share my adventures with you, knowing I have a secure internet connect as both the Isle of Wight (my holiday destination) and the Highlands both gave limited signal.

I will over the next couple of days give you the highlights of my relaxing, UK based holiday and the snapshots of the wedding in the castle i attended the pictures are amazing.

Now my holiday days have been taken for the year, I’ll be looking for weekend destinations for mini breaks, any good ideas or tips please let me know as already having withdrawal symptoms of being away.

I hope you all have had an amazing summer and enjoying the rest week of September. I'm looking forward to my new autumn wardrobe.

Jessie-Lou
xxx

Holiday time - Sun, Sea and Relaxation

Hello my Lovelies

I'm sorry i haven't been posting lately been a very busy bee and off on holiday tonight. But stay tuned for my updates of my holiday.

Jessie-Lou
xxx

Final Countdown!

Sorry for not having posted sooner I have been having a very busy couple of weeks and this week has been no different. I'm now counting down to two things;

1. My tattoo, three days now till i'll be sitting in the tattoo shop waiting for my first ever tattoo and i'm so nervous, it's not cause I don't want it done its that fear of what will it look like, what if he spells it wrong or the worse what if it gets infected. I have been wanting a tattoo now since I was 18 but never could find something I liked or know where I wanted it for ages. I booked this tattoo two months ago and thought that give me plenty of time to back out. But now its all paid for and on saturday i'll be there (eeek filled with nervous engery and excitment).

2. In two weeks I'll be packing my suitcases, packing up the car and hiding endless bags of sweets for the journey to the Isle of Wight. My boyfriend and I with his family go to the Isle of Wight every year. You may wonder what can you do there every year and but believe it or not it's the most relaxing time I have away. No worries over luggage getting lost, delayed flights or tummy bugs (unless drinking and eating too much counts). This will be my third year in the Isle of Wight and I couldn't wish it here sooner, my body and brain are urging me to relax and hopefully enjoy the sun whilst staying on our friends farm.

However before all of the relaxing I need to do some last minute shopping as you never know what the weather can do and last another week at work before my relaxtion haven (retreat) starts.

Jessie-Lou
xxx