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