travel writer

By Tim Saunders

“Birds of prey are lazy... They fly for forty-five minutes a week.”

We learn this interesting fact while at the Falconry Centre at Robin Hill Country Park at Newport on the Isle of Wight. Here we watch Dillon, a white eagle flying majestically above the treetops. Apparently, they just fly to hunt when they’re hungry so Dillon lives a pretty active life with his daily demonstrations. He was born during covid and comes from Scotland where he didn’t do what was required of him; he wasn’t really understood in the way that he is at Robin Hill where Charlotte, his handler, is sensitive to his needs. He responds by doing what is asked of him. He’s got such massive, muscular, almost human legs, no wonder he prefers to fly reduced hours because it must take a lot of effort to get airborne.

Dillon is but one of many attractions at Robin Hill. As we’re only visiting for the day we have to make sure we make the most of our time. Making our way over the 100m Canopy Sky Walk in a landscape reminiscent of a rainforest, the children climb through the squirrel run. At the Bounce Pillow we all enjoy a good jump, the children play a game of tag while Caroline and I lie down for a bit. Running up hill to the Snake Slides allows for more steam to be let off. The little ones are really in their element. Nearby, we spy the toboggan run – having never been on one we’re a bit apprehensive as to what lies ahead but it doesn’t look frightening so we queue and wait our turn. We each get our own toboggan which is fitted with a lever in the middle – push it forward to go fast and pull it towards you to slow down. Always slow down before a bend and then go faster through it. What fun. Henry (9) sets off first and he has the time of his life, wanting to do it again. We all follow behind and survive!

Time for a quick bite to eat at The Ponds where there are bees and damselflies hovering around the rhododendrons.

“I want to go to Digger School,” announces Henry. “Come on.” So, off we all go to wait our turn. Henry, who gets to do this twice, Harriett (14) and Heidi (12) all master operating the controls on these mini diggers. They’re all moving the cabin round, digging sand and having the time of their lives. It’s lovely to see their concentration.

We walk to Glides rink where we have a go at skating and as we begin to tire the tractor ride allows us a chance to have a rest for a bit. We see a peacock and are introduced to Crocodile Creek. “Can we go on the boats here? Please. Can we?” the little blighters ask. So we do and they each take a turn at steering. Fortunately, we avoid the delightful little ducklings.

Before we know it the rides have finished and the park is closing but not before one last trip to the Bounce Pillow. They do love this. We’ve had a great day but need to return to visit the rest of the park. Afterwards we head to the beach at Sandown where the children lose themselves in yet more play.

Priority return travel with our car on Red Funnel from Southampton to East Cowes makes life as easy as it can be. Red Funnel is thankfully very forgiving of late arrivals, we find. On our outbound journey we get stuck in roadworks, which means we arrive at the port twenty minutes before departure rather than the requested thirty to forty minutes, so we fully expect to be turned away. But we’re not. This is really helpful and calms us all down. Then when it comes to the return journey we’re relaxing at the seaside and suddenly realise it’s past eight o’clock. We’re over the other side of the island so get our skates on but once again arrive with just twenty minutes until departure. And again, regardless of my profuse apologies, we are welcomed on to the nine o’clock crossing back to Southampton. So, once again we can calm down. Thank you Red Funnel, you’re brilliant. The crossing takes around an hour and it’s a very relaxing experience. On the outbound journey Heidi and I visit both outside decks and enjoy the view of Southampton docks, the cruise liner, the various tugs and tankers that are moored up. On the return journey we sit inside and Henry and I fall asleep for a little while, which makes the journey go even quicker. And before we know it, we all home tucked up in our beds.    

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