Warner Hotel Bembridge

[Mervyn and Trish]

The island. Well someone asked and yes a main reason for going was to revisit the IOW. We spent a day at Osborne House, which we've been to before but never on a dry day so we've not done the grounds, another day we did the IOW Steam Railway, beautifully restored, and we visited a few seaside places. We love Ventnor so went back there and had tea and cake at a little café set back from the beach, and we returned to Steephill Cove (where we've also been before but thanks for the reminder Cubie) where we enjoyed a very nice crab sandwich for lunch.

We also just wandered a bit and a couple of days just hung around the site enjoying the facilities (while dodging the worst of the chairs)! Most evenings saw us taking tea or something a little stronger as we watched the ship of the day sail out. Occasionally they were later out so it was over a post dinner coffee.

[Manoverboard]

We think that we went to your Warner's camp in 1968 / 69, there was a Hippy festival on the go during our visit.

Right on the beach and a great vamntage point for watching the ships sail by, SS France was one ... I think. We arrived via Hovercraft from St Clarence Pier in Portsmouth(?)

The old place needed a lick of paint back then as I recall, tell me, do they still serve florescent Lime ( Green ) Meringue Pie ?

[Stephen]

We think that we went to your Warner's camp in 1968 / 69, there was a Hippy festival on the go during our visit.

Right on the beach and a great vamntage point for watching the ships sail by, SS France was one ... I think. We arrived via Hovercraft from St Clarence Pier in Portsmouth(?)

The old place needed a lick of paint back then as I recall, tell me, do they still serve florescent Lime ( Green ) Meringue Pie ?

Are you sure don't mean the Titanic Moby

[Stephen]

Thanks for the review Merv. I don't normally read reviews, but enjoyed yours

Oh , there's more .......

[Mervyn and Trish]

And finally the clientele.

Well during the week the average age was well above us and there were regular wheelchair jams on the way to dinner. At the weekend the age dropped a bit.

Most of our fellow guests were clearly enjoying themselves. Some added to the entertainment.

Apparently (and this is so cruising) there are those queuing to be first into dinner at 6.30, who then gobble it down by 7.00 to be first in the show lounge to bag their seats for the show which starts at 8.30 or later. We never rushed and never had a problem getting in.

One night well after the production show had started a woman arrived and having surveyed the available seats began collecting them from round the sides and moving them to the front row, making people already there stand up so she could re-arrange the furniture and fit hers in. Another woman re-arranged chairs at the side, thus blocking the performers' exit from the floor to the dressing room!

Later, when the comedian was on another woman arrived at the side entrance, close to the stage, and then made her way slowly across the floor of the room to the front centre pushing her walking frame. The comedian was gob-smacked and just stopped and watched her. Without a word. Then as soon as she'd sat down another one stood up and set off the other way. Perhaps she thought the act had finished.

Another woman came in half way through a show and sat watching a video on her phone!

And of course in true cruise fashion there are those who got up to leave as soon as they detected the last song. Why?

But finally, the quote of the week, the old fellow we heard moaning "The trouble with these places is there's nowhere you can have a sleep".

Well we were shocked. I know we'd booked an up market room, but foolishly I assumed even the standard ones came with a bed. Apparently not then. Something to be aware of if you decide to book.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We think that we went to your Warner's camp in 1968 / 69, there was a Hippy festival on the go during our visit.

Right on the beach and a great vamntage point for watching the ships sail by, SS France was one ... I think. We arrived via Hovercraft from St Clarence Pier in Portsmouth(?)

The old place needed a lick of paint back then as I recall, tell me, do they still serve florescent Lime ( Green ) Meringue Pie ?

The desserts are more pastel these days

[Stephen]

And finally the clientele.

Well during the week the average age was well above us and there were regular wheelchair jams on the way to dinner. At the weekend the age dropped a bit.

Most of our fellow guests were clearly enjoying themselves. Some added to the entertainment.

Apparently (and this is so cruising) there are those queuing to be first into dinner at 6.30, who then gobble it down by 7.00 to be first in the show lounge to bag their seats for the show which starts at 8.30 or later. We never rushed and never had a problem getting in.

One night well after the production show had started a woman arrived and having surveyed the available seats began collecting them from round the sides and moving them to the front row, making people already there stand up so she could re-arrange the furniture and fit hers in. Another woman re-arranged chairs at the side, thus blocking the performers' exit from the floor to the dressing room!

Later, when the comedian was on another woman arrived at the side entrance, close to the stage, and then made her way slowly across the floor of the room to the front centre pushing her walking frame. The comedian was gob-smacked and just stopped and watched her. Without a word. Then as soon as she'd sat down another one stood up and set off the other way. Perhaps she thought the act had finished.
Another woman came in half way through a show and sat watching a video on her phone!

And of course in true cruise fashion there are those who got up to leave as soon as they detected the last song. Why?

But finally, the quote of the week, the old fellow we heard moaning "The trouble with these places is there's nowhere you can have a sleep".

Well we were shocked. I know we'd booked an up market room, but foolishly I assumed even the standard ones came with a bed. Apparently not then. Something to be aware of if you decide to book.

She was lucky to get away with that. Normally a comedian will crucify you.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And finally the clientele.

Well during the week the average age was well above us and there were regular wheelchair jams on the way to dinner. At the weekend the age dropped a bit.

Most of our fellow guests were clearly enjoying themselves. Some added to the entertainment.

Apparently (and this is so cruising) there are those queuing to be first into dinner at 6.30, who then gobble it down by 7.00 to be first in the show lounge to bag their seats for the show which starts at 8.30 or later. We never rushed and never had a problem getting in.

One night well after the production show had started a woman arrived and having surveyed the available seats began collecting them from round the sides and moving them to the front row, making people already there stand up so she could re-arrange the furniture and fit hers in. Another woman re-arranged chairs at the side, thus blocking the performers' exit from the floor to the dressing room!

Later, when the comedian was on another woman arrived at the side entrance, close to the stage, and then made her way slowly across the floor of the room to the front centre pushing her walking frame. The comedian was gob-smacked and just stopped and watched her. Without a word. Then as soon as she'd sat down another one stood up and set off the other way. Perhaps she thought the act had finished.
Another woman came in half way through a show and sat watching a video on her phone!

And of course in true cruise fashion there are those who got up to leave as soon as they detected the last song. Why?

But finally, the quote of the week, the old fellow we heard moaning "The trouble with these places is there's nowhere you can have a sleep".

Well we were shocked. I know we'd booked an up market room, but foolishly I assumed even the standard ones came with a bed. Apparently not then. Something to be aware of if you decide to book.

She was lucky to get away with that. Normally a comedian will crucify you.

I think her obvious disability made him a little cautious. However, the audience tittered and when the second one started he said "blimey there's another one" and brought the house down.

[Kenmo1]

Fascinating reading, Mervyn.

Did you walk down to Queen Victoria's beach at Osborne House? We love sitting there in a deck chair on a sunny day eating a cake and a free coffee from the East Cowes Waitrose. We know how to live the high life on the Isle of Wight. We just need our knotted hankies on our heads and we will really look the part.

Maureen.

[Meg 50]

Fascinating reading, Mervyn.

Did you walk down to Queen Victoria's beach at Osborne House? We love sitting there in a deck chair on a sunny day eating a cake and a free coffee from the East Cowes Waitrose. We know how to live the high life on the Isle of Wight. We just need our knotted hankies on our heads and we will really look the part.

Maureen.

we did!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Fascinating reading, Mervyn.

Did you walk down to Queen Victoria's beach at Osborne House? We love sitting there in a deck chair on a sunny day eating a cake and a free coffee from the East Cowes Waitrose. We know how to live the high life on the Isle of Wight. We just need our knotted hankies on our heads and we will really look the part.

Maureen.

We did, though we bought our coffee and a very nice sandwich when we got there. After touring the house and walking down any Waitrose coffee would have been very cold. But we did buy toothpaste and use the loo in Waitrose!

[qbman1]

Fascinating reading, Mervyn.

Did you walk down to Queen Victoria's beach at Osborne House? We love sitting there in a deck chair on a sunny day eating a cake and a free coffee from the East Cowes Waitrose. We know how to live the high life on the Isle of Wight. We just need our knotted hankies on our heads and we will really look the part.

Maureen.

We did, though we bought our coffee and a very nice sandwich when we got there. After touring the house and walking down any Waitrose coffee would have been very cold. But we did buy toothpaste and use the loo in Waitrose!

How very reassuring!

Is the children's summer house still open and full of all their kit ?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Fascinating reading, Mervyn.

Did you walk down to Queen Victoria's beach at Osborne House? We love sitting there in a deck chair on a sunny day eating a cake and a free coffee from the East Cowes Waitrose. We know how to live the high life on the Isle of Wight. We just need our knotted hankies on our heads and we will really look the part.

Maureen.

We did, though we bought our coffee and a very nice sandwich when we got there. After touring the house and walking down any Waitrose coffee would have been very cold. But we did buy toothpaste and use the loo in Waitrose!

How very reassuring!

Is the children's summer house still open and full of all their kit ?

It is. Bit bigger than our playhouse

[qbman1]

It's bigger than our house !!

[Meg 50]

it's huge!

[qbman1]

....and it's probably still in better nick than the public areas of the Warner Nursing Home according to Merv's report !

[Mervyn and Trish]

Nothing that a large vat of domestos and an even larger vat of white paint won't cure.

Oh and carpets. And lino.

[qbman1]

Like I said.....

[Mervyn and Trish]

And probably no worse than those ships Batty likes...

[qbman1]

....although he wouldn't admit it !

[Stephen]

Nothing that a large vat of domestos and an even larger vat of white paint won't cure.

Oh and carpets. And lino.

I know what you mean from one particular one we've stayed at. Charge a fortune but run it on a shoe string.

[qbman1]

Are we on Warner or P&O now ?!

[Mervyn and Trish]

My Warner toilet worked

[Frank Manning]

Enough said to put us off Mervyn thanks; back to The New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes for us.

[oldbluefox]

I think I'll be sticking with Holiday Property Bond. My last holiday in St Brides Castle was excellent.