03/10/2015

SHANKLIN CHINE

I'm so sorry, it appears I have been misleading not only Wilson, but you too — we are going not to Blackgang but to SHANKLIN  Chine; I had foolishly thought them to be one and the same.

On the way there, while checking his email Wilson took a look at The Bees' Blog from a couple of days ago — the photo on the blog was the first time he'd seen the kitchen since it was fully refurbished, and he was enraptured!


'Just look, New Dad,' he exclaimed, 'It's got red walls and ice-green worktops and an Induction Hob! I hope The sToners are minding not to scratch that work surface!'


He immediately emailed the Bees asking them to send more photographs.


Dusk was falling by the time we arrived at the Chine, and everywhere was lit up like a fairyland as we strolled along the winding paths and bridges until we reached the big waterfall at top of the gorge!



02/10/2015

HYPOGLYCAEMIA

After several rides on the Dodgems, we finally left the pier via an arcade lined on both sides with candy and snack concessions. 

Suddenly Wilson leaned against one of the counters and apprised me that, after all the excitement, he was feeling 'Well hypoglycaemic' so he 'Needed' a bag of Flying Saucers and a pack of Popcorn.


While he consumed these we made our way back to the car to head off to Blackgang Chine. As we walked along the prom, W reiterated to me his belief that today would have been 'Far too dangerous' for Antony and TT.


'Can you imagine them in the Dodgem cars?' he asked, rhetorically. 'It was totes brilliant, but well scary!'


Actually, I think they might have loved it — they certainly look pretty wistful when W relates each day's adventures to them back at the hotel each night…



01/10/2015

BEES' GUEST BLOG

Hello everyone, we are The Bees, Polly and Billi, and this is our Guest Blog!

Welcome to the Season of Mists, Mellow Fruitfulness and Chilly Mornings.


Wilson has sent us a rude seaside postcard from Wight Island, so if you're easily offended, please look away now…


Alright, here it is — it's really quite saucy, isn't it? That's why we've left Johnson Major and Johnson Minor on the worktop over there, so they can't see it. We did show it to the sTone Brothers, though; sToneye blushed, while sTony said he couldn't see what the fuss was about.


We just hope the postman wasn't too embarrassed when he delivered it to us!


Anyway, we are The Bees and we'll see you again next month, with loads more fascinating facts and bee-related news!


Beeeeeeeeeeeee good!



30/09/2015

DODGEM CARS

Wilson just stood stock still, staring at the flashing lights, the whirling cars, smelling the electrical discharges and listening to the insistent Rock beat, as though hypnotised.

Then he digested the sign on the wall, which read, 'No Head-On Bumping! No Unaccompanied Children Or Anteaters!' and looked at me pleadingly.


'Oh, go on then!' I said. He jumped in while I took his photograph, then I climbed in beside him.
I let Wilson steer most of the time, and I must say I'd forgotten what really good fun it is… which is probably why we had three goes!


After this I think we'd better move on to Blackgang Chine, before it gets too dark.


Remember, though, that tomorrow it is The Bees' turn to blog, so please don't miss that!



29/09/2015

JUMPING STAR

Next we approached the thrill-ride Wilson has had his eye on since he first glimpsed the pier from shore — The Jumping Star

It's a children's version of those terrifying giant tower rides you see at big fairgrounds, where you sit on a kind of sofa and are whisked abruptly hundreds of feet into the air, held there for a moment, shaken about as though there's a malfunction… then suddenly and without warning plunged in free-fall to the ground — leaving your stomach back at the top!


It all reminds me disturbingly of the 'falling elevator' nightmares I used to have, and you wouldn't get me onto even this junior version for all the farms in Cuba.


W was a bit nervous once the restraint bar descended, locking him in place, but once the ride began he laughed delightedly, calling out, 'Woot! Look at me, New Dad, look at me! Yay!'


When the ride finished he climbed down and composed himself, then announced that what he really needed now was candy-floss. 


However, as we set off in search of the candy-floss kiosk, he caught sight of The Dodgems. With their flickering electric poles, candy colours, hypnotic flashing lights and thumping Rock 'n' Roll music, Wilson was transfixed…



28/09/2015

QUAD BIKE RACING

'Oh man — this is more like it!' Wilson exclaimed as he spied a Junior Quad Bike Racing Circuit.

There were other children racing on the track at the same time, so I drew his attention to the signs saying THIS WAY ROUND and NO BUMPING before dropping the coin into the slot.
To his credit, he drove very well. 


I'm certain I shall have to fend off requests for a Quad Bike when we get closer to Xmas...



27/09/2015

SECOND CAR

Wilson has been looking forward to riding in one of these ever since he first saw one, years ago, and I told him he was too little to drive it. 

Before he climbed in he told me that when he's a millionaire, and is driven about in a DeLorean or an electric Rolls Royce or something, he will keep one of these as a runabout for when he needs to pop into the village and doesn't want to disturb the chauffeur.


He's so considerate, isn't he?


We'll overlook the fact that the chauffeur will probably be me, and he has no qualms about disturbing me at the moment…