Godshill in miniature

Time to move on. Next stop was the Model Village at Godsill. I wanted to park overnight in the council run car park, but I couldn't. Sleeping in vehicle not allowed. I found a layby which was a bit too close to the road, too much passing traffic. On the way to Godshill I saw a Gulf petrol filling station and a big big yard. I asked the man if I could park there, he said yes, and pointed to a suitable place next to the fence. Loverly just the job. I spent £5 in his shop and bought some bottled drinks. 

Then something amazing happened. A woman who had been washing her car, had been watching me walking to and from the shop. She moved her car to just behind mine. She said, I know you, I have been reading your blog for a long time. Wow, what an amazing coincidence. She told me her name. I seem to remember that she has sent comments in the past. We stood ages chattering. It turned out that she lives in Trinity Road, my parking place the night before. What a fantastic surprise to meet her. We got on great, lots to talk about. 

After a good nights sleep at the Gulf Garage, and the usual morning coffee, I drove back to Godshill, and got prime parking position in the car park because I was early. Strangely enough there are no charges during the daytime. I took a few snaps of the village before anyone was about. 

I wandered up the hill to the church. There is a group of thatched cottages here. 

So, who took my photo at the front door of this one? A man in a van turned up and set out his bench to start work. We got chatting, as you do. Darren is a master craftsman who renovates windows and doors in listed buildings. The old windows are taken out, the rotten wood is removed back at the workshop, and he brings them back looking like new, and refits them. Darren moved to the Isle a few years ago, brought his family. He says this place is like heaven compared to the London borough where he came from. 

While we were chatting a man came with the keys to the church, to open up. It seems pretty much standard practice to leave churches unlocked during the daytime here, so visitors can enjoy quiet moments. 

Now a bimble back down to the village to see Godshill in miniature. Lots of photo's for you to browse, and lots of good memories for me to look back on. 

The church is an exact replica of the real one. 

And the thatched cottages where I met Darren, and he took my photo. 

And now you have seen the pics, have a look at the movie. 

I will chop this post off now, I must go shopping. Come back later, there's more of my visit to the Isle of Wight. Not done yet, plenty more to come. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona