On summer afternoons it is a gay and charming scene.
The town is built on a gentle slope, and the houses command fine
and extensive views. It has the largest population of any town
in the Island, about 11,000 inhabitants.
[Illustration: _Apley Tower, Ryde._]
APLEY TOWER, RYDE.--Within one and a half miles of Ryde the wall
is a continuation of the Esplanade in the direction of Spring Vale
and Sea View. The wall furnishes a means of defence against the
encroachment of the sea, as well as a thoroughfare for pedestrian
traffic. Bicycles are also used on it to some extent. When the tide
is out a wide stretch of sands is exposed, and crowds of children
use it as a pleasure ground, finding beautiful seaweed and shells.
The walk can be continued round the further point into Sea View.
[Illustration: _Totland Bay._]
TOTLAND BAY.--This charming resort has sprung into prominence and
grown very fast during the last few years. Many of the houses are
very picturesque and beautiful for situation, most of them with
red-tiled roofs, which when toned a little more by time will be
very beautiful among the trees. There is a pier, and during summer
a regular service of boats from Lymington, as well as excursion
traffic. The beach is steep and so you can bathe at any state of
the tide. A reading-room on the shore is much patronised. The Green
Cliff Walk is very delightful, and as the channel here is narrow
there is a never-failing interest in the ships that pass in and out
quite near.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29