The Isle of Wight

Early this morning we rode a car ferry across the ocean from Portsmouth to reach the Isle of Wight.  This island off the coast of England was used for many things, but we got to visit a few places of particular significance.  Our first stop was Carisbrooke Castle, where King Charles I was held for an entire year before he was executed by his own country.  We then loaded up the coach and went to visit the Osborne House, which was a vacation house for Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their families.  It still strongly resembles a palace, but that doesn't surprise me.  It was beautiful, inside and out.  One of the things that I liked most about this house and the grounds surrounding it was the evidence of Victoria and Albert's strong relationship and commitment to parenting.  The Swiss Cottage, which is between the beach and the Osborne House, was mainly used as a place of instruction for their children.  They were each given their own small section of land to learn how to garden.  They even had their own personalized wheelbarrows in the shed!  The girls often practiced baking in this cottage, and the boys would learn carpentry skills.  Though they were royalty, Victoria and Albert still thought it was important to teach their children how to work and do everyday tasks for themselves.  This is probably one of my favorite places that we have visited so far because of the amazing sights we saw and the great message of family that it portrays.

View from the Ferry!

Carisbrooke Castle

The Soldier's Chapel

Matching glasses! Alyssa and Kathryn

The tower that kept King Charles I

The Osborne House

The lovely gardens behind the house

The Swiss Cottage, and the garden plots for the royal children.

The wheelbarrows for the royal children

Down by the beach!

Queen Victoria's "Bathing Machine" to ensure complete modesty.  This changing room could be wheeled directly into the water so she wouldn't have to expose her ankles when getting in the water.