Kurt spends his time trotting the world seeking the finest. He’s a respected reviewer with over 20 years experience, so knows a thing or two about it and isn’t shy to give his opinion – Ed.
Sorry, once a musical theatre man, always far too ready with a musical theatre quote.
Having spent my last couple of items being mildly critical of Ventnor and its Esplanade “¦ Ventnorians, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t care “¦ I thought it was time for a little piece that was all unbounded enthusiasm.
After all, I did say I was going to tell you all the things I like about your Island, and not just give you a recipe for turning bits of it into what I would like them to be.
So I want to devote today’s ‘musings’ to my three very favourite (so far) places on the Island. You’ll undoubtedly know them all well, but maybe you don’t know just how much they appeal to an ‘outlander’.
Number One
Number one is easy. It’s right here where I am sitting, typing this. Up on St Catherine’s Downs, nestled under the Nationally Trusted tops, half-way between the Pepperpot and Mr Hoy’s wonderfully and humorously historical monument.
I’m out there somewhere for a bit most mornings, earlier or later, depending on the quality of the previous evening’s entertainment, with the rabbits and the pigeons, the occasional badger or fox “¦ and sometimes in the evenings, too, on my way to Niton’s ‘White Lion’. Even New Zealand can’t beat a spot like this.
Number Two
Number two is another regular. Having once picked up ‘Red Fred’, my faithful South Wight Rentals Suzuki Alto, and got myself installed here, my first ‘day out’, both last year and this, has been a trip to Newtown.
The place fascinates me. Maybe partly because I’m an historian, and the tales surrounding Newtown and its surreally delicious Old Town Hall (National Trust, again) are just so terrific.
But a stroll through the tiny village, into the church, and around the estuary, followed by lunch at the New Inn, Shalfleet (of which more anon) … well, after the rather different ‘wild life’ of Berlin and the excesses of Jersey, it is a day to allow one to make peace with the world. Quite, quite lovely.
Number Three
I see that both my first two choices have been places of calm and natural charm.
I guess that shows up a very large part of my motives for coming here. But my number three .. and it is not ‘number three’ but my unchallenged number one .. puts both in the shade.
I am not a Christian. I am not religious in any way. In fact, I think I may be an atheist.
Before visiting Quarr Abbey, I would have said ‘I am an atheist’. I have touristed through innumerable churches in innumerable countries in the last half century, I have sung (in my performing days) in churches on both sides of the world, and I have remained … how to say it “¦ ‘spiritually unmoved’.
No more. Quarr Abbey is … in the proper sense of the word … ‘wonderful’.
I don’t mean to be blasphemous in saying that, for me, if God does live in any place I’ve ever been, it is inside the red-brick walls of Quarr Abbey. Go. You have to. And don’t miss the amazing Lady Chapel. This is one of the most superb and atmospheric buildings I have ever been inside.
I am bringing my younger brother to the Island this weekend for what will be his first visit.
About time: he is related by marriage to the nineteenth-century Jukeses of Carisbrook. Anyway, I’ve been constructing him a Highlights tour: and Mr Hoy, Newtown and Quarr will be its cornerstones. With, of course, all sorts of other delicious bits in between.
