Childhood memories

By Nicky Cantello

My parents used to take me to the IOW every year from when I was about 3 to 10 years old. I clearly remember sitting in a sack bag and coming down the slide on Shanklin pier, I think I was 4 then but I remember it so well. And the amusement arcades and playing crazy golf along the promenade. The Rock Shop in the old village, and we always went to The Crab where I had chx & chips in a basket. Then we'd walk down the Chine to the pub at the bottom where they had more alcohol!

Blackgang Chine was always a favourite especially at night, I remember climbing on dinosaurs and being in the wild West land, then getting lost in the maze, and the crooked house. I imagine a lot has changed now with the cliff erosion. We'll go to Alum Bay this year and fill glass tubes with coloured sand, and take the chair lift (which I was always scared of falling off). but we won't be walking the miles across Boniface down like they always made us do!