Memories

It's only party true that you can remember what you did years ago but haven't a clue what you did yesterday.

I have a problem remembering the 1970 Isle of Wight Rock Festival. So I thought a side trip whilst on the island would help me remember the event. Some hope!

Despite the fact that no drugs or alcohol were involved, I have no idea how I got to the festival site, where I slept, what I ate or indeed who I saw (except Hawkwind who played in a tent).

I do remember that Hendrix came on at some ridiculous hour before dawn and I slept through the entire set.

After walking the coastal path, I went to Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater Bay to view the Festival exhibition there. It stirred no memories although I was stunned to read the line up and realise who it was I just can't remember seeing.

As I drove the car ferrywards, I looked to the right at East Afton Down. Here was the festival site. I just knew. I remembered the high ridge towering above so very clearly.

A shame that nothing else sprang to mind.

Disappearing Britain

Well Isle of Wight actually. I've just returned from walking the Isle of Wight coastal Path and was rather shocked.

An awful lot of it isn't there.

In my research for the walk I had heard that this was an area of coastal erosion but I had no idea just how bad the problem is.

Fences hover in mid air. Detours are not uusual. In places the sea is a mud colour where earth has plummeted down. Close to Freshwater bay, there is now only a part of a car park left. The rest is no more.

The cause is the weather. Just one more example of global warming. Amazingly there are still doubters.