The Randonnee is getting ready for May!

We have a guest blog post this week, from Alan Rowe who is part of the Randonee organising committee.  The Randonee is the very well established round the Island bike ride. The word Randonnee is French for excursion and is used in the UK in cycling circles to describe circular rides.  The round the Island bike ride probably being the best example!

The Randonee takes place on 2nd May this year.

It's that time of year when Snowdrops peep out from the warming soil, likewise the Randonnee committee are beginning to 'awake' and set about the business of finalising this year’s event.

26 years since its debut, the Isle of Wight Randonee now attracts over 2,000 entrants from all over the country. The ride has become a 'classic' due to its free entry and informal nature, not to mention the pretty and varied scenery of the Island. This year we are streamlining the signing on process as we are expecting around 2,500 riders!

One of the joys of being on checkpoint duty is witnessing people’s personal achievements. For some, 100k is a mere morning’s ride.  Others finish with an exhilarated air clutching their hard won badges, knowing they have conquered their own Everest and vowing to return next year.

In the grey winter evenings, toiling over the nuts and bolts of putting the event together it is the thought of those happy faces that keeps you going. All we need on the 2nd of May 2010 is a bit of sunshine and a host of keen riders! We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Al

For complete information about the event, visit the website at www.cycleisland.co.uk

Enchanted Manor wins big with TripAdvisor reviewers

Congratulations to the Enchanted Manor, which has been voted the 6th best B&B in Europe in TripAdvisor’s 2010 Travellers' Choice Awards.  It was described by one enthusiastic guest reviewing online as being ‘the most wonderfully enchanting escape from everyday stress’.  See the full set of TripAdvisor reviews here.

Other guests commented on the ‘beautiful suite, stunning location and very warm welcome.’  On making the hot list, Maggie Hilton, owner of the Enchanted Manor said, ‘we are so pleased to get such fantastic reviews on Tripadvisor.  We always endeavour to provide our guests with a unique personal service and a magical experience that they will treasure forever.  Our satisfaction is knowing that we have made our guests dreams come true and when they are happy we are happy.’

Find other B&Bs on the Isle of Wight on Wightstay here.

What are dark skies?

The Isle of Wight has the most fantastic, inky black skies.  This is because of the low light pollution over our Island.  Find out more about Dark Skies here.  See the Campaign for Rural England's light pollution map here.

The Vectis Astronomical Society are holding their annual Star Party at Brighstone from March 11-15th.

Why not check Wightstay for self-catering accommodation in the West Wight for the event here.  Or you could look for camping and touring parks in the West Wight here.  If you fancy something a bit more luxurious we have a great list of hotels and B&Bs here. 

Come and join the star gazing at the Isle of Wight Star Party this March!

Welcome to Coast & Country self-catering accommodation

Welcome to Jill and Steve Cowley, who offer premium self-catering accommodation in stunning rural Wellow.  All of the properties are within two miles of the harbour at Yarmouth, which has a great range of pubs and restaurants.

Their properties are Orchard Lee which sleeps up to 10, or can be divided into two units, sleeping six and four in either end.of the property.

Tudor Lee is a self-contained wing of the listed farmhouse, recently sensitively renovated.  It's a great hideaway for couples.

Their latest property Eastern Lee is a detatched chalet bungalow with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with some aspects revealing as far as Yarmouth harbour

For information on these properties catch up at http://coastandcountry.eu/

Love walking the Wight? Vote now!

We love the trails on the Isle of Wight.  Walking across West Wight downland is one of our very favourite things to do on the Island.  The Walking Festival is a great event, too.  We'll be on Walk the Wight for sure in 2010.

We spotted this poll and hoped you might join us in voting for the walk over Tennyson Down as your favourite walk in the South of England.  Get voting now here!

Spin across the Solent, as recommend by the Sunday Times

The Isle of Wight has been featured by the Sunday Times Travel Section as one of the top 100 holiday destinations for 2010!

Not only is the Island in the top 100, it's at Number 5 in the top 10.

Well, of course we knew how great it was, but it's always nice when a broadsheet reminds us.

Full article here

It's also great to see one of Wightstay's accommodation providers get a mention, too so seeing Mersley Farm in the recommendation was good.  Full details about Mersley Farm on their site here.

Of course we don't just cycle on the Island in the summer.  Wightstay employees are still cycling to work every day even now.  Even in the winter the cycle rides outlined in the Isle of Wight Cycle Routes guidebook are great fun

A couple of jolly reviews of the Isle of Wight

We think the Isle of Wight is so great we live here.  Don't just take our word for it though.  We keep falling over reviews of the Island singing it's praises on various blogs.

A review of a short break coming over on Red Funnel - whose car ferry docks an iPhone's throw from the Wightstay offices - have a look at the A Modern Mother blog.

If you're more interested in walking, why not check Gareth's Walk and Travel Blog?  He recounts a great bank holiday weekend in the West Wight.  Good food, great views and wonderful fresh air.

What more could you ask for from a Staycation?!