The RX-8
The RX-8
The RX-8
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fascinating. Although vehicle access ceased from the<br />
Blackgang end during the 1970’s the evidence lies<br />
littered all around – Bedford vans and Rover cars of a<br />
similar ilk and age play host to bramble bushes.<br />
Walking down a vacant road in full sun, birds whistling,<br />
and knowing you are completely alone is surreal.<br />
Reminders of days gone by fuel the imagination.<br />
Further on, found along the roadside neatly set in a<br />
stone wall is a Victorian water fountain which was<br />
either to supply locals or weary travellers, it confirmed<br />
a beaten track that’s no more.<br />
I find myself whispering in a vain attempt not to be<br />
heard, but by whom? I tiptoe lightly passed a home<br />
displaying ‘Private’ – am I alone? Evidence is scarce,<br />
telegraph poles stand abandoned in full tilt and<br />
wireless. <strong>The</strong> road to<br />
nowhere passes a once<br />
grand Victorian house<br />
called Southview.<br />
My thoughts are filled<br />
with romantic notions<br />
and idyllic England.<br />
Back down to earth,<br />
the next challenge is to<br />
transverse no-mans<br />
land back to the car<br />
park, ever hopeful of<br />
an easier route, I head<br />
north through thick<br />
undergrowth. Laid<br />
before me is a truly<br />
unexpected surprise,<br />
for here is a small<br />
section of road<br />
completely<br />
independent from the<br />
rest and clearly<br />
untouched for many<br />
years.<br />
At first it is hard to<br />
appreciate the early<br />
civil engineering, the<br />
ground is covered with<br />
ivy, and trees have<br />
seeded where horses<br />
and carriages passed by<br />
and three foot or so<br />
stone walls give<br />
definition to the sides.<br />
My Great Aunt Lily who lived to 100 years old, once<br />
read me a detailed account from her diary of her<br />
journey through the undercliff by horse and carriage,<br />
and standing here evokes thoughts of Victorian<br />
glamour. In one way it is sad that nature has reclaimed<br />
a small piece of history, but in another, its created a<br />
tiny wilderness that is hard to find.<br />
ISLAND HISTORY<br />
Picture Left:<strong>The</strong> Victorian<br />
water fountain, stuck in time.<br />
Below: <strong>The</strong> cottage, which<br />
was deserted many years ago,<br />
however it has “private”<br />
freshly painted on a sign?<br />
Bottom: <strong>The</strong> eery path that<br />
has been frozen in time,<br />
telegraph poles, and old cars<br />
lay littered along the route.<br />
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