Isle of Wight Report – A “Wight” good weekend!

Lynda Homer writes:

In 2024 Len Barr, Steve Smeltzer, Phil and me, braved heavy rainstorms, flooded roads and difficult driving conditions to attend the annual Isle of Wight Classic Car Extravaganza.

Things could not have been more different this year, the weather was perfect, with sunny, warm days the whole time we were on the island.

Phil and I packed the 1937 Flying 12 Drophead with our luggage, picnic chairs, tools and wet weather gear and set off from Stow on the Wold on Thursday 4th September, heading for our overnight stop at the Days Inn near Southampton. We went the “scenic” route, avoiding motorways as much as possible and allowing plenty of time for the journey. The next day we drove on to the port at Lymington where we met up with Len and Steve with the 1922 SLO.

Our ferry was delayed due to a broken hydraulic hose, but eventually we embarked and set off on the crossing to Yarmouth. With calm waters to sail in the ferry made up some time and we drove off safely. Steve navigated for Len and we followed the SLO to our lunch stop, at The “Wight Mouse” , then on to Godshill, famous for its model village and its tea shops. Our final journey that day was to Ryde, where our base for the weekend was the Appley Manor Hotel.

Saturday dawned and after a hearty breakfast the two Standards dove to Newport where around 400 classic cars were parked up on the quay. There were classic cars of all types and ages, as far as the eye could see. The warm weather meant that the cars proved to be quite an attraction. We had lots of conversations with friendly people who were very interested in the cars.

Our journey back to Ryde was a bit slow due to traffic, but we made it with no problem and then had a convivial evening at Appley Manor.

We had to be up and on the road early on Sunday in order to get a good pitch on the Esplanade at Ryde, overlooking the Solent towards Portsmouth. Again, around 400 classic cars attended. We queued up for breakfast at the Café de Ryde next to the boating lake and enjoyed the aptly named “standard” size full English offering. Very tasty! Steve and Len went exploring the town, and later visited Ryde Wetherspoons for more refreshment. Phil and I stayed to chat to the passers-by, most of whom were walking dogs along the Esplanade. Len’s 1922 SLO was, as far as we could see, the oldest car present. The friendly atmosphere and sunny weather made it a very relaxing day.

Our ferry back to Lymington was in the late afternoon on Monday 8th September. We decided to occupy the day with a visit the Isle of Wight Steam railway. That’s where the photo of the two cars together was taken.

We had another smooth crossing of the Solent back to Lymington, with just enough time to buy a cup of coffee and drink it. As we were arriving back to the mainland at around 5.00pm we had booked rooms at The New Wheel Inn, a couple of miles outside Lymington. The pub was not serving food because of a kitchen refurbishment, so the four of us took a taxi into the town and had another Wetherspoons dinner.

Len and Steve set off the next day at the crack of dawn and Phil and I with the Flying 12 left shortly after them for the drive back to Stow.

Phil and I drove the Flying 12 a total of 300 miles that weekend, and we were very pleased with how the two Standards performed.

(Len is already planning the same trip in 2026! The dates are 12th - 13th September 2026 and if you would like to join us please do contact Len at: leonardpbarr@aol.com)