Blackgang Chine, land of imagination, United Kingdom- Travel #30

Dear Steemit friends, let me take you on a journey of imagination to the wonderful Isle of Wight just off the English coast. The Isle of Wight is England’s largest island and is situated in the English Channel about 6 kilometers/ 3.7 miles from the mainland. The island has resorts that have been holiday destinations since Victorian times, in fact Queen Victoria had a holiday home here. It is known for its mild climate, lush coastal scenery, downland and chines. A chine is a steep-sided coastal gorge made of either sandstone or clay where a river flows through to the sea. It is more of a typical English word seldom used outside of the United Kingdom. The whimsical beauty of the island has been attracting poets and artists since the early 19th century. I am sure much of England's famous artistic work was created here. Unfortunately the Isle of Wight's innate beauty was not exempt from the destruction and devastation of World War II, the island was heavily bombed leaving the residents to pick up the pieces. Luckily enough for us natural beauty, given the chance, will grow back along with the fighting spirit of the people who call the Isle of Wight home. It recovered and is the stunning island we can enjoy today.

To find me, look for my chihuahua's face

Once you have made it to jolly ole England, there are two main ports you can head to in order to catch the ferry over to the island. Southampton and Portsmouth, we opted for Portsmouth as it has the shortest ferry ride over at only 45 minutes. The ferry operator is called Wightlink and the trip is called Portsmouth to Fishbourne. Fishbourne is a village in the Northern part of the island allowing for easy access to the main towns of Newport and Ryde. Portsmouth is very famous as the Royal British Navy's home base, a bit of nostalgia for my mother as she comes from a long line of Royal British Navy officers. I will write a blog about Portsmouth and its integral role it plays in Britain's first line of defence another time. It is a picturesque sail away. The handy thing about the Wightlink ferries is that it takes cars across and allows for your furry family members to join in on the trip as well. Now that you know how easy it is to get to, nothing is stopping you from enjoying a fun filled holiday on the Isle of wight. Unless of course you are the superstitious type. The Isle of Wight is said to be the most haunted island in the world, perhaps due to the mysterious ley lines under the island. Either way it attracts thousands of ghost hunters every year. Considering the last name that I have, maybe I should be a ghost hunter, now that's food for thought.

Portsmouth

Wightlink

The Wightlink ferries are comfortable offering lounges, bars and even a café all which can be enjoyed with your furry friends. A major plus for me, not that I'm furry obviously for my fur-sister Ruby, she's a chihuahua. We parked our car on the ferry and headed upstairs to enjoy some breakfast. The view was spectacular. The white cliffs of Dover are arguably one of Britain's most sought after tourist destinations, known for its stunning beauty often used in movies and famous television shows like Game of Thrones. Unbeknownst to most, the Isle of Wight is also home to breath-taking white cliffs. The fact that it is more or less undiscovered beauty makes it even more captivating. In 1812, the first Cowes Regatta was held off the coast of the Isle of Wight, I am sure the white cliffs made for a divine backdrop. Aided by the attendance of the Royal family, it has become the largest international yachting event in the world.

The white cliffs of the Isle of Wight

Once we docked in Fishbourne, we headed back downstairs to our car and started the drive to Blackgang Chine. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes and takes you right through the heart of the island. There are countless attractions and places of interest on the Isle of Wight, so why Blackgang Chine? For starters, my older brother Wayne grew up in Southampton and had very fond memories of the park. As soon as he said that they had dinosaurs there, I was sold. As a child all I ever wanted to be was an archeologist that specialised in paeleontology. I still plan to one day fulfill my passion, for now a visit to them at Blackgang Chine will do. In fact, the island itself is one of the best places in the world to uncover dinosaur remains. Recently, a 9 year old local girl discovered a new species of flying dinosaur while playing on the beach, the undiscovered species was even named after her. It is a new species of pterosaur now officially named "Vectidraco daisymorrisae', try saying that tongue twister 5 times in a row. Now having a dinosaur named after yourself is something a dinosaur buff like me can only dream of.

In fact, this whole island should just be called dinosaur island. There is a wonderfully informative and creative place on the island called Dinosaur Isle. It is a purpose-built dinosaur museum located in Sandown. The museum was designed by Isle of Wight architects Rainey Petrie Johns in the shape of a giant pterosaur. It claims to be the first custom-built dinosaur museum in Europe. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Dinosaur Isle and will blog about it soon.

Blackgang Chine entrance

In the 1800, all Blackgang Chine was, was a steep gaunt ravine situated more than 152 metres/500 feet above the sea overlooking Chale Bay. It was a wild and desolate landscape that stretched 1.2 kilometres/ 0.75 miles down to the shoreline. The only visitors it had were some wild red squirrels and gutsy local fisherman, although rumours were rife of a thriving smuggling trade. In 1823, a young man by the name of Alexander Dabell arrived from Nottingham and settled on the island. He was a driven and talented young entrepreneur who excelled in the business of lace making. He ended up setting up several successful businesses on the island. One fateful encounter in 1839 led him to meet a man who had recently built a hotel at Blackgang, and he immediately recognised the area’s potential. Some say potential is just undiscovered success. Blackgang with its awe inspiring gorge and springs was a huge draw for the Victorians, who were always seeking out new holiday resorts and ways to spend their hard earned wealth. By 1842, Alexander acquired the land with his exceptional ability to throw a stone, and it was agreed the point it landed was the furthest reach of the lease. This unconventional way of thinking became the founding stone of Blackgang Chine’s success. Now you know the history of the place, what is actually here? Essentially, it is an amusement park. What I love about Blackgang Chine is that it is 100% wheelchair accessible, allows your furry friends in and has an action packed day in store for everyone from the thrill seekers to the tea sitters.

Park map

Dinosaur Island

Once inside the park, the first thing we wanted to see, can you guess? Dinosaurs. The way the dinosaur attraction is set up is incredible. It has a winding pathway that leads you from the top of the cliffs right down to the bottom, with suspension bridges and rest stops. Suspension bridges that allow a wheelchair across it, I cannot even express how cool that is. Along the way you get to interact with huge dinosaurs whilst also getting to learn about them on informative placards.

Mum, Scott, Ruby and I

Wayne's turn

Ruby

It really feels like you have entered into Jurassic Park, they have even added realistic barbed wired electric fences, by realistic, I mean visually, they are fake otherwise we all know someone who would get zapped. Ruby is my Mum's and little brother Scott's Chihuahua. To be able to take a dog with you into an attraction like this is almost unheard of, the fact Blackgang allows it, is another huge plus point. In my family our dogs are our babies and we wouldn't be without them ever if we had the choice. As you wind down the pathway and over bridges, you are greeted by all the Herbivores of the Cretaceous, Jurassic, Mesozoic and Triassic period. Basically the plant eaters, like me, of a geological period spanning hundreds of millions of years.

You may be wondering why I mention wheelchair accessibility. My younger brother Scott is wheelchair bound. Growing up being only 21 months apart we have always been very close. He always had a set of wheels so I grew up thinking no different. He has accomplished amazing things and travelled to dozens of countries all over the world, never once complaining that his chair has hindered him. He is a huge inspiration to me, he has always proven that he is abled, not disabled and his special needs are mere human needs. I am very lucky to have a brother like him who has from the moment he was born shaped who I am. I could not be prouder or love him more. He is proof that anything is possible.

Scott loves dinosaurs

Anytime Dinosaurs are involved we know that the infamous tyrannosaurus rex, affectionally known as the T-rex is never far away. These upcoming warning signs add humour and fun to what was once considered to be the most dangerous animal to ever walk the earth.

Every dinosaur that ever walked the earth during the Mesozoic period hatched from an egg. Buried so far back in time, there is still so much that we don't know and understand about dinosaur eggs, but we nevertheless have learned a fair amount from the fossil records. What the fossil records show is that dinosaur eggs were laid in large batches, or 'clutches', likely because so few hatchlings survived the jaws of a predator. The most common of egg thieves were the raptors. On our dinosaur adventure we came across a friendly Dodo, how unfortunate that these animals are not still around today.

Dodo

After all that pre-historic adventure we had built up quite the appetite. With any amusement park comes the junk food, the sweets and treats that delight. It is a fun filled family day out and I say calories don't count. We dug into some cinnamon coated hot mini doughnuts and warm churros with dark chocolate sauce. Yummy. There are healthier options available throughout the park like fruit, salad bowls, wraps and what the region is famous for, Fish and chips.

Fuel for us

Welcome to the Wild West

Blackgang Chine has a large wild west section to the park where the children can play cowboys and Indians. The life-like western town offers an array of props and clothing to really make you feel the part. One of the best aspects about the wild west town is the live stage show. As a live stage performer myself, I can really appreciate the hard work and dedication these performers put in. I understand the months of rehearsals and sleepless nights that it takes to put on a live stage production. Of course it is of no West End or Broadway calibre however, it really is a fun, upbeat and interactive show. The performers are exceptionally talented and you are sure to enjoy it.

Live stage show

The attention to detail and level of interaction within the western town is amazing. There are so many photo opportunities. It is also a nice relaxing place to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea and take in the scenery which in itself is worth the visit.

I demand a trial by combat

Found a castle

Playing around with what was once used as a means to torture seems a bit morbid doesn't it, I am kidding, it is all in a bit of fun. The next land we discovered was more of a whimsical one. The sort you would expect from a Disney Park. There were fairies, gnomes and trolls spread out across the kingdom with a castle in the background. Any little girl's or boy's dream. It has a totally different feel to it than the rest of the park, it is almost hard to believe you are still in the same place. I must point out this land was a favourite among the grandmothers. No whimsical land is complete without a hedge maze and Blackgang Chine does not disappoint with a large immaculately groomed beautiful hedge maze that if you aren't careful, you might get lost in. The view of the shoreline and the white cliffs you get at the end is well worth the trek through the maze.

Hedge maze

If by this point you are completely bored and none of what I have talked about interests you, I am surprised you are still reading. Thrill seekers do not be woeful, there is a roller coaster called the cliffhanger and given the geological location, a fitting name. Waterforce is their "you will get wet" section with water shoots and slides to keep you cool on those hot summer days that England gets once a decade. In all seriousness, Blackgang Chine has something for everyone. It is definitely worth a visit and if you live nearby, worth getting a season pass to. It is always expanding and evolving with new attractions every year. As a fun filled day draws to a close, it is time for us to head back to the ferry that takes us to the mainland so we can embark on our next adventure.

Splash down

Air dry

I hope you have enjoyed my blog on Blackgang Chine, land of imagination, United Kingdom, thank you for reading and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you, until next time, Vegoutt Everybody!

Just Gnome'in around