A Day of Beauty, Cows, and Laughter

Today’s walk with the IOW Adventure Girls UK was a perfect blend of stunning views, outdoor adventure, and a bit of unexpected excitement. We gathered at the Blackgang Viewpoint car park, where the sun was shining brightly (despite the wind) and our spirits were high for the journey ahead.

The Pepperpot: A Historic Landmark

Our first destination was St. Catherine's Oratory, also known as The Pepperpot. The tall, octagonal tower, the shell of a medieval lighthouse, was built in 1328. Today, it stands proudly atop a hill, offering breathtaking views of the coastline and beyond. We couldn’t resist the urge to jump with joy at the sheer beauty of it all - it’s not every day you get to take in such magnificent scenery from a historic spot like this!

Hoy Monument: A Hidden Gem

From the Pepperpot, we continued on our path towards Hoy Monument, another fascinating landmark of the Isle of Wight. Michael Hoy, a wealthy merchant who traded with Russia and lived in the nearby Hermitage, built this 72ft (22m) high column in preparation for the visit to England of Tsar Alexander I in 1814.

Woodland Walks and Animal Encounters

As we descended from the monument, the trail led us through lush woodlands and rolling fields. Along the way, we encountered a variety of wildlife, including sheep, horses, and plenty of cows. The peaceful countryside was a delight to walk through, with the sounds of nature accompanying our every step.

However, we got a bit more excitement than we bargained for when we came across a herd of cows and their babies. As we made our way through their field, the cows started to shout at us, and one particularly curious cow began to run in our direction (from a distance). Realising we might have overstayed our welcome, we quickly made our way over a stile and back into the next field, turning just in time to see the cows gathering around where we’d been. We couldn’t help but laugh at the comical yet slightly tense situation!

The Final Push

After a bit of an unexpected detour, we made our way back up the hill to the Pepperpot, before tackling the final stretch of the journey - a hill down to the cars. Despite the wind, the sunshine made everything feel warm and energizing, and we were all in good spirits after our wild adventure.

A Well-Deserved Treat

To end the day on a high note, we headed to The Wight Mouse Inn for some well-earned food and drink. It was the perfect place to relax, reflect on our adventure, and catch up with each other after our fun-filled day.

Thank you to everyone who joined today’s walk! We had a blast, and we can’t wait to do it all again soon. 💜