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By the time I got up, PY had attached two of the kitchen doors. I had coffee, listened to a bit of Claudia Winkleman on Radio 2 and we placed a bet on a few horses for the Grand National.  My gran’s lucky number was No.9 and Grand National No.9 is the only horse I bet on any year. Lifetime Ambition ended up unseated by a riderless horse part way round but one of the other horses PY had a bet on finished high enough up the field to return some money on the bet.  I think we ended up about £2 down.

We decided to walk down Appley beach towards Seaview, stopping at the Beach Cafe to pick up a coffee. Today, was as bright and sunny as an April morning can be with a coolish breeze off the water. We walked beach-side and decided to use Hersey Nature Reserve as our turning point.  The paths were still a little muddy but I am glad that we persevered because we saw a swan building a nest and then, later, from inside the shelter of the hide we were able to observe all sorts of birds on the water, including another, very territorial swan, chasing off some geese.  Just before we left we observed a couple of swans in the reeds, and we assumed there were also nesting. It was so lovely and peaceful that it seemed a bit sad to leave the tranquility of the lake for the busy-ness of Ryde.  We picked up some things from the shops before returning for a lunch formed from a reduced-priced salad and some crab pate that we’d found in the supermarket.

After lunch we assembled the last of the kitchen doors which competes the replacement of all the fronts of the units. We are both very pleased with the results but painfully aware that this now shows up other imperfections.  This project is not a sprint. I think it’s bathroom grouting next.

PY suggested we take a 30minute walk up the the Islands gin distillery. I am glad we did as it was a beautifully clear afternoon with the sun shining,  The walk is a little uphill so it wasn’t clear if it was the sun or the exercise that made me warm but it was great to be able to sit outside the pub that’s attached to the distillery drinking a Mermaid Gin Zest while looking out on a vineyard and the rolling hills in the distance . 

A couple of drinks later, and after trying to watch The Grand National on my phone while sitting in the sunshine, we walked back down to Seaview and along the seafront home. An enormous cruise ship was passing the Solent forts as we walked back. We were speculating on the adventures the passengers were off on - imagining Mediterranean or Caribbean cruising - only to look it up and discover the destination was Belgium.

Back home, PY made some amazing fish tacos for dinner which was followed by us watching the final episodes of Blue Lights and the Channel 5 Isle of Wight documentary. Both were excellent and it’s a shame we’re now out of them.  I am hoping for a new series of both.