#Dogs & fashion?

It is early Sunday morning and I am just back from a bike ride along the the sea front. It is a very quiet still morning out there today. The skies are heavy and dark grey but the very light drizzle almost mist is warm and enveloping. It is lovely.

As usual I am in my own little world of thought and something triggers a theme or comes together to create one.

This morning I saw a man with 3 little pug dogs on separate leads walking along the prom. (a slightly chaotic scene - ha!). Earlier this week I had read a news article talking about these little French or American Pug dogs?

The article explained how popular they have recently become but how problematic their health can be - particularly respiratory issues and skin problems. The thrust of the article was people should be more aware of these potential issues and questioning whether the dogs should actually be bred in the numbers they currently are - that almost it was cruel to do so. I have no idea if this is right or wrong.

However what I have observed over the last 6 months or so is a large increase in the number of these cute little dogs that I see on my bike rides. They have definitively become very popular.

That led me thinking about other dogs that used to be popular but I now see nothing like the numbers of out exercising. There was a stage when there were lots of the Pit Bull Staffie types. Now I hardly see them but there was definitely a time when they were the dog to have for some.

After the "Staffie" the fashion dog was a "Husky" type. They were around for a while but now you hardly see them. 

I assume both breeds were found to be challenging in a normal domestic setting and the fashion cooled off as the practicalities became apparent. It leads you wonder where these dogs are now? It is a real shame that the "dogs are for life and not just for christmas" truism does not seem to be widely appreciated and considered. Dogs seem to be not a lot more than a must have fashion accessory in some cases and people do not think through the implications behind ownership and the characteristics of dogs they are taking on. Fox red labradors are now selling like hot cakes. However there is concern about over breeding and inbreeding to meet demand and maintain the vital colour. Neither are apparently a positive thing in the prospect of producing and maintaining a healthy robust dog.

Certainly a lot of people have taken on a dog in the covid period. Hopefully a lovely thing. They have had time during the lockdown and dog walking fits in well when all we could do was exercise in our locality in relative isolation. Let's hope the dogs continue to be appreciated when people return to work and life becomes more "normal" again. 

Fox red Labrador have suddenly become very popular. The poor old yellow lab is no longer getting a look in! These are beautiful looking dogs but are they actually the right breed for you? Maybe - maybe not. Do you know their characteristics ? Have you thought it through?

  

#ThreeTenners IOW visit

I have just hosted a weeks visit from my two brothers - Rob and Mike. So the Three Tenner's were reunited for a few days - and to coincide with my birthday. It has been a long time coming because of covid restrictions.

What did we get up to apart from beer drinking ?

Well I have written a number of Three Tenner blogs before. They have all been based around some sort of outdoor activity. 

This time we had a plan to do 3 main things over the week. They were cycling, fishing and sailing.

The first - cycling. Over the years I have completed the IOW Randonee many times - either on the official Randonee day or following the signposted route under our own steam at other times. My brothers have never had the chance to do it - and fancied it. So this is what we did on my birthday - we cycled the 100k - the 60 + hilly miles. Mike and I did the John o' Groats to Lands End over 3 weeks last September but I don't think Mike had been on a bike much since. Rob hasn't done much either but he did come over with his super light hi tec racing bike. Anyway we did it - not bad for 3 bruvs with a total age of 193! We had a good run - some drizzle but we got around in 8 hours or so and had a laugh doing it. I am always proud to show off the Island and the randonee route is perfect for that. Talk about perfect - as we approached Ryde it was obvious we had earned a beer in the full knowledge it is was a flat ride back to Seaview thereafter. The sun came out. We headed for the Solent Inn. We had a perfect seats in the beer garden - the bar maid was a laugh - the other customers were intrigued it seemed - particularly by brother Rob's lycra get up. His short shorts looked tight lol! The piece de resistance was the beer. 3 pints of the most perfect real ale - from a new barrel of Timothy Taylor. They went down well! When we got home the twins were there and we had a massive Indian takeaway. Not a bad day at all! 

On the fishing - well there was a big build up to this! Two things ! First - no this was not a competition - lol. Second - we each wanted to win ha! My fishing boat is called Iggle Piggle. She is a 16 ft open fishing boat - with three bench seats and an outboard - an Orkney Longliner. I keep her on a mooring off Seaview from end of May until late September. I fish in the eastern Solent - and don't go very far. I only catch fish to eat and put everything else back. 

We had two sessions - an afternoon following my bruvs arrival on the Tuesday - and all day on Thursday. 

Now I am definitely not claiming to be an expert fisherman - far from it but over the years I have come to these conclusions about fishing. The main ones is there is over hype about fishing tackle and particularly end tackle. My brothers turned up with an assortment of rigs - paternosters - various combinations of hooks, beads, swivels, sliders and weights. Which to use? My approach when bottom fishing is always the same - a weight - a bead - a swivel - a hook length - a hook to reflect the size of fish expecting to catch. Everything else in my view leads to complications and bother especially as complicated rigs usually means more weed problems. The key I think is always the freshest best bait possible. I dug lugworm for us on Tuesday morning and to be safe I ordered some live ragworm. Thereafter it is to get your hook in the water - tight lines and concentrate on your rod tip! I think back to my dear late dad. He didn't get as much opportunity to fish as he would have liked - but he loved reading about it and bought all sorts of tackle, specialists rods and reels in anticipation. But when he went fishing he was always faced with the same dilemma - how to set up - what system to use? If he didn't start catching - he must be using the wrong system - so hook out of the water - change the system etc etc. My view with bottom sea fishing is if the fish are there - my lovely fresh bait will attract them. If they are not there - then no end of systems will make much difference - ha! 

One thing that did surprise me - we were heading back to the mooring on Tuesday and Rob put on a flashy Bass lure. We were keen to get in so I was giving the engine a bit of throttle. I was sure we were going too fast to catch and apologised to Rob. Low and behold - Rob lands a nice Bass. A lesson learned about trolling speed as we were going in the direction of the tide rather than across it.

Thursday was a fun fishing day too although the weather was not quite so nice. Mike hadn't caught and we of course we hadn't mentioned it! And then a hit and a nice bass. Mike as usual is understated - but a big smile! It was a laugh the three of us in a small boat for the day. Casting - tangles - crossed lines - banter - accusations of poaching - excitement - not to mention peeing in a bucket. We caught a few. Photos below!

One other issue. On the way back on Thursday I had an engine breakdown. It came as a suprise as the engine had been running like a dream. Several attempts to restart were not successful but rowing to mooring was thankfully possible. Mike - the young gun did the lions share. Rob and Mike are both mechanically minded and they went through normal causes - spark, fuel etc. Eventually it turned out to be plug failure under compression. It was a great relief that it was something relatively simple and harmless. Have you seen the price of outboard engines? 

That leaves the sailing. I have mentioned before I have a Seal 22 called Gold Crest which I keep on a pontoon in Ryde Harbour. Ryde Harbour dries out and access in and out is therefore determined by tide times. Tides were not ideal on this day but we were set for a day's sailing with a good breeze which is exactly what happened. It was good to be out with my brothers especially as our late dad had a hand in building Gold Crest all those years ago. We went up to Cowes - criss crossed the Solent and eventually ran down to close to Chichester entrance. I cooked bacon sarnies and we had plenty to eat. Rob had a go at handline fishing but alas a bit to early for mackerel. We had plenty of time to chat and dream and talked a lot about boats of course. Mike is seriously thinking about getting a much more substantial boat to sail around the UK in. I am trying to convince Rob he should buy a narrowboat for the UK canal network! Both would be great for the Three Tenners! 

Coming back in was slow progress - we were down tide and beating. The wind had picked up and cloud had built. Not great planning! However we get off Ryde sands - and the advantage of little Gold Crest comes to the fore. Wind up the lifting keel all the way and she only draws 2 feet. Raise the lifting rudder plate and we go in while other boats have to wait.

We get home by 8.15 pm. Quick showers and back for a covid Saturday night in the pub with burgers. 

My bruvs went back on Sunday morning. A priceless few days. Brilliant to do. All three of us knew it was special. All 3 of us are optimists but realise we cannot take anything for granted. Simple pleasures are usually best. Cheers bruvs. To the next time xxx

Some snaps from the mob phone :

Rob in the fore ground - Mike behind fishing on Iggle Piggle

The finish after the pub. 193 years in total. 100km cycled.

Bruvs on Gold Crest

      

#ComptonBay an Isle of Wight beach

The other Sunday ( a few weeks back now) we spent some time down on Compton beach. It is an especially lovely area and not on the normal tourist track as such. This is a short blog - but one I promised to Compton Bay I would write - as a thank you for offering up its outstanding solitary natural beauty and special atmospherics yet again.

Compton Bay is found towards the western end of the Military Road. It is therefore on the "back of the Wight. (By definition the Solent side is the front of the Wight I guess although this is not a term you hear used.). Compton Bay faces out into a huge sea vista - it is The English Channel of course and it is wide open to the south westerlies that blow in off the Atlantic. It can be a surf beach.

While I think of it - Compton is a great beach - not particularly shelving. However it is a surf beach and there are no lifeguards. It is very easy to be caught out by back wash and or rip tides - so take great care even on a hot sunny day.

Here are a couple of guide book extracts :

Compton Bay is a sandy beach located beside the coast road between Freshwater Bay and Brook. Offering a two-mile stretch of contrasting golden and dark sands snuggled between rolling surf and multi-coloured sandstone cliffs it is a favourite with regular beachgoers and a few local water sports enthusiasts. The beach is peaceful all through the summer there are great views of the white cliffs of Freshwater.

Steps lead down to the beach from Hanover Point/Sheppard’s Chine where there is a large National Trust (NT) car park, toilet facilities and fresh water tap or drive further west to Compton Chine/Farm and find a smaller NT car park on the opposite side of the coastal road and tiered steep steps down to the beach. Whilst there is no café, a refreshment van can be found there throughout the summer and during the winter months at the weekend. This area is popular with fossil hunters and at low tide, dinosaur footprints can be seen imprinted in the rocks. Notices explain beach safety are found by the car park. It is important to read about the local conditions and how to stay safe.

Compton Bay is a bay located on the southwest section of the Isle of Wight, England. Its north western edge is defined by the distinctive white chalk cliff of Freshwater Cliff, named after adjacent Freshwater Bay, which forms a small cove with the village of Freshwater situated just behind. Its north eastern edge is formed from the soft red and orange lower cretaceous rocks of Brook Bay, which are rapidly eroding.

Due to the lack of grazing on the cliffs above the bay, the native chalk ecosystem has thrived. Atop the cliffs, the Island's county flower, the pyramidal orchid, can be found, while the rare Glanville fritillary butterfly also lives in large numbers supported by the native flowers. There are also other hardy plants, such as common gorse bushes and wild cabbage.

The bay is popular with wave and kite surfers due to the waves that form when the prevailing south-westerly wind is blowing onshore. The beach is gently shelving and consists mostly of sand, with a few lengths of submerged rock, although at high tide the sea covers the beach almost completely. The car park and its public facilities are owned by the National Trust, as is the coastal strip of land. The Isle of Wight Coastal Path runs along the cliff around the bay.

There are dinosaur footprints visible in Compton Bay when the tide is low, and this is one of the best areas to see the dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight. Fossil hunters can often be seen searching for smaller fossils on the beach.

Both extracts above refer to dinosaurs and coastal erosion.

The Isle of Wight has adopted the name "Dinosaur Isle". Compton and along the back off the Wight is a hotbed for dinosaur finds. This is linked to the coastal erosion - because as the sea eats into the soft sandstone cliffs it exposes the fossils to be found by the avid hunters.

Coastal erosion is certainly a very evident feature and the National Trust have to regularly maintain and rebuild the flight of wooden steps that gives access to the western end of Compton. This is much my preferred end because the walk down and especially the walk up is a bit of a test - and consequently it is quieter.

On coastal erosion - years ago I met a structural engineer who lived on the Island. He conceived a plan to " save the IOW " On the Solent side - particularly off Ryde there are sand banks. He pointed out the Dutch would have reclaimed the land from the sea without a thought. His idea was the valuable reclaimed land would generate capital to provide sea defences to shore up the back of the Wight - places like Compton. His plan was never given much credibility. Certainly around Compton the sea seems irresistible.

Here are a few photos of Compton that I took on the day :

Down on Compton beach looking east

Looking west

The full west 

view heading down to Tennyson Down and the Needles. Freshwater Bay in the dip - centre of left.

Looking down from the cliff top.

I have borrowed this one to provide some information regarding the geology and coastal erosion.

 

#Socialism it doesn't work - described in pictures

If you have read any of my blogs you will know I abhor the notion that socialist politics is the way forward. I have lived through it. It doesn't work. It is the politics of envy. It is destructive. It is immoral. It demotivates. It makes EVERYONE poorer.

I believe in a fair and just society. I believe in the good Samaritan parable. However Margaret Thatcher was right - you have to earn it first before you can give it away. The good Samaritan was remembered because he had the resources to help.

Socialism is not the engine to create the wealth. It penalises work. It is inefficient. It makes success a bad word.

Rather than get myself fired up lol - I thought I would take the easy route this morning and make some points in pictures borrowed from the internet!

Yes Frank - as socialism - against human nature

#ConspiracyTheorists typical characteristics and CT guide

I came across this by someone called Donna Ferentes and copy and pasted. Obviously they are generalisations and may or may not be correct.

10 characteristics of conspiracy theorists
A useful guide by Donna Ferentes

1. Arrogance. They are always fact-seekers, questioners, people who are trying to discover the truth: sceptics are always "sheep", patsies for Messrs Bush and Blair etc.

2. Relentlessness. They will always go on and on about a conspiracy no matter how little evidence they have to go on or how much of what they have is simply discredited. (Moreover, as per 1. above, even if you listen to them ninety-eight times, the ninety-ninth time, when you say "no thanks", you'll be called a "sheep" again.) Additionally, they have no capacity for precis whatsoever. They go on and on at enormous length.

3. Inability to answer questions. For people who loudly advertise their determination to the principle of questioning everything, they're pretty poor at answering direct questions from sceptics about the claims that they make.

4. Fondness for certain stock phrases. These include Cicero's "cui bono?" (of which it can be said that Cicero understood the importance of having evidence to back it up) and Conan Doyle's "once we have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however unlikely, must be the truth". What these phrases have in common is that they are attempts to absolve themselves from any responsibility to produce positive, hard evidence themselves: you simply "eliminate the impossible" (i.e. say the official account can't stand scrutiny) which means that the wild allegation of your choice, based on "cui bono?" (which is always the government) is therefore the truth.

5. Inability to employ or understand Occam's Razor. Aided by the principle in 4. above, conspiracy theorists never notice that the small inconsistencies in the accounts which they reject are dwarfed by the enormous, gaping holes in logic, likelihood and evidence in any alternative account.

6. Inability to tell good evidence from bad. Conspiracy theorists have no place for peer-review, for scientific knowledge, for the respectability of sources. The fact that a claim has been made by anybody, anywhere, is enough for them to reproduce it and demand that the questions it raises be answered, as if intellectual enquiry were a matter of responding to every rumour. While they do this, of course, they will claim to have "open minds" and abuse the sceptics for apparently lacking same.

7. Inability to withdraw. It's a rare day indeed when a conspiracy theorist admits that a claim they have made has turned out to be without foundation, whether it be the overall claim itself or any of the evidence produced to support it. Moreover they have a liking (see 3. above) for the technique of avoiding discussion of their claims by "swamping" - piling on a whole lot more material rather than respond to the objections sceptics make to the previous lot.

8. Leaping to conclusions. Conspiracy theorists are very keen indeed to declare the "official" account totally discredited without having remotely enough cause so to do. Of course this enables them to wheel on the Conan Doyle quote as in 4. above. Small inconsistencies in the account of an event, small unanswered questions, small problems in timing of differences in procedure from previous events of the same kind are all more than adequate to declare the "official" account clearly and definitively discredited. It goes without saying that it is not necessary to prove that these inconsistencies are either relevant, or that they even definitely exist.

9. Using previous conspiracies as evidence to support their claims. This argument invokes scandals like the Birmingham Six, the Bologna station bombings, the Zinoviev letter and so on in order to try and demonstrate that their conspiracy theory should be accorded some weight (because it's “happened before”.) They do not pause to reflect that the conspiracies they are touting are almost always far more unlikely and complicated than the real-life conspiracies with which they make comparison, or that the fact that something might potentially happen does not, in and of itself, make it anything other than extremely unlikely.

10. It's always a conspiracy. And it is, isn't it? No sooner has the body been discovered, the bomb gone off, than the same people are producing the same old stuff, demanding that there are questions which need to be answered, at the same unbearable length. Because the most important thing about these people is that they are people entirely lacking in discrimination. They cannot tell a good theory from a bad one, they cannot tell good evidence from bad evidence and they cannot tell a good source from a bad one. And for that reason, they always come up with the same answer when they ask the same question.

A person who always says the same thing, and says it over and over again is, of course, commonly considered to be, if not a monomaniac, then at very least, a bore.

And this from Wikipedia

Wikipedia: conspiracy theory guide


1. Initiated on the basis of limited, partial or circumstantial evidence;
Conceived in reaction to media reports and images, as opposed to, for example, thorough knowledge of the relevant forensic evidence.

2. Addresses an event or process that has broad historical or emotional impact;
Seeks to interpret a phenomenon which has near-universal interest and emotional significance, a story that may thus be of some compelling interest to a wide audience.

3. Reduces morally complex social phenomena to simple, immoral actions;
Impersonal, institutional processes, especially errors and oversights, interpreted as malign, consciously intended and designed by immoral individuals.

4. Personifies complex social phenomena as powerful individual conspirators;
Related to (3) but distinct from it, deduces the existence of powerful individual conspirators from the 'impossibility' that a chain of events lacked direction by a person.

5. Allots superhuman talents or resources to conspirators;
May require conspirators to possess unique discipline, unrepentant resolve, advanced or unknown technology, uncommon psychological insight, historical foresight, unlimited resources, etc.

6. Key steps in argument rely on inductive, not deductive reasoning;
Inductive steps are mistaken to bear as much confidence as deductive ones.

Appeals to 'common sense';
Common sense steps substitute for the more robust, academically respectable methodologies available for investigating sociological and scientific phenomena.

7. Exhibits well-established logical and methodological fallacies;
Formal and informal logical fallacies are readily identifiable among the key steps of the argument.

8. Is produced and circulated by 'outsiders', often anonymous, and generally lacking peer review;
Story originates with a person who lacks any insider contact or knowledge, and enjoys popularity among persons who lack critical (especially technical) knowledge.

9. Is upheld by persons with demonstrably false conceptions of relevant science;
At least some of the story's believers believe it on the basis of a mistaken grasp of elementary scientific facts.

10. Enjoys zero credibility in expert communities;
Academics and professionals tend to ignore the story, treating it as too frivolous to invest their time and risk their personal authority in disproving.

11. Rebuttals provided by experts are ignored or accommodated through elaborate new twists in the narrative;
When experts do respond to the story with critical new evidence, the conspiracy is elaborated (sometimes to a spectacular degree) to discount the new evidence, often incorporating the rebuttal as a part of the conspiracy.'

» Wikipedia

#Conspiracytheorists COVID etc

I have written before about the good sense and social responsibility of having the covid vaccine. (PS 26/04/21 - for all those that do not believe the reality of covid look at what is happening in India right now - and still justify your assertions).

But there are conspiracy theorists pedalling the sort of stuff below. What I find amazing is these people latch on some marginal character and take their word as the most authoritative voice on a subject and run with it as unchallengeable proof. They are continually seeking to join dots regardless of the stretch or with any semblance of objectivity. It is incredible anyone would believe it but this is what some peoples lives amount to. What a waste of time and effort.

Professor Charles Morgan gives a lecture at West Point to US soldiers in the Visual Information Division on the latest technology in the field of Bio-Warfare, DNA reprogramming and human cell exploitation.. I have been saying in previous videos that the Corona-con JABS will have the capability to not only change human DNA, but can also enable a persons thoughts and actions to be influenced by remote control.. I can understand if some people thought that I was losing the plot, but I can assure the doubters that this technology absolutely exists and is going to used en-mass through the implementation of the CV19 JABS.. If you watch this video you will see the professor confirm what I have been saying in my videos for many months, in that it is now possible to control the mind of another person by remote control and to also take control over their physical body movements, thoughts and functions.. This is NO conspiracy theory, this is an absolute FACT!! I also wanna say that even this technology is still far behind the latest advancements which are kept from the public domain and are often used against the general public. I remember watching a documentary online many years ago in which a whistle blower stated that the current technology that we see being brought into the public domain is already over 25 years old, that has continued to make me aware that the so called latest advancements are in essence old technology.. The professor reveals that they can now store & conceal images and movies in DNA and bacteria, he also says that just 1 gram of human DNA can store the equivalent of 7 BILLION iPADS, think about that, just 1 gram, that is absolutely astonishing!!! He says that information and images can also be stored in bacteria on the human body which can then be placed in a dish and the information removed and also that when those same bacteria reproduce that it's offspring's will also be encoded with that same information. He also says that it is possible to programme a cell and direct it to target ANY part of the body, including the brain which can then also be reprogrammed and controlled from an outside force. This means that the CV19 JABS can contain all the technology that you will hear in this video and it is CHILLING what that same technology can do when they are primed to target and attack!!! Such is the level of accuracy of this technology that miniature nanobots about the size of dust particles can be programmed to attack any portion of the body to deliver a payload or virus directly into the bloodstream, organs, brain, eyes etc. The reprogrammed DNA cells can also lie dormant in whichever portion of the body it has been directed to and can remain there undetected until the appropriate electronic signal is delivered to re-activate it. He also says that they can manage and change peoples memories and perception and that they don't even need to persuade them, all that is needed is to change their memory through audio and visual images, in other words TV, which is exactly how the the general public have been lured into believing in the great Corona-con.. If you're a Christian you need to know that these JABS will enable the Luciferians to change your DNA and alter your perception of God, in fact, you will be programmed to detest him!!! The bible forewarns that the nations and people of the earth will hate biblical Christianity and will persecute bible believing Christians and this is how that is going to happen, they will alter the perception of every person who takes those demonic DNA changing vaccines.. This is a spiritual war, it has been foretold in the bible almost 3000 years ago and is now taking place before our very eyes!!! It is also worth mentioning that they can ERASE memories and install FALSE ones, just imagine if this is used to deceive the inhabitants of the earth into worshipping the beast, and off course IT WILL, because that's exactly what it was created to do https://www.bitchute.com/video/6BN7ostWeWzq/

#CulverDown

If you live on the Isle of Wight you have walked on Culver Down and almost certainly sat around Culver monument and been stunned by the view. If you are a regular Solent / Channel sailor - the chalk headland or promontory that is Culver and the unmistakeable Yarborough Monument that sits on top - forms a reassuring sight (you have found the Isle of Wight - lol !)

Culver Down is a chalk down - that forms the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight - the chalk spine that runs through the length of the Island to the western tip where it is known as Tennyson Down and of course The Needles. (Downland, chalkland, chalk downs or just downs are areas of open chalk hills, such as the North Downs. This term is used to describe the characteristic landscape in southern England where chalk is exposed at the surface. The name "downs" is derived from the Old English word dun, meaning "hill")

Why am I bothering to write a blog about Culver Down - somewhere anyone who knows the Island will already know?

Well I have been up on Culver a million times - well an exaggeration - but a lot! Familiarity breeds contempt they say. Well it is not contempt - I love being up on Culver - it is perhaps more we take it for granted - it always delivers and it is not hard to get to.

Why is Culver so special? I am sat here at my table and am going to think of a few reasons!

• well - it is chalk down land and hard to beat for walking. Open - (invariably treeless) - a soft cushion of grass - by definition high - invariably agricultural (grazing) and unspoilt - as much of our down land is protected - SSSI designated.
• Culver Down sticks out into the sea with the end facing east. Culver is a headland with Whitecliff Bay to the north and Sandown Bay to the south and far below. As such with its white chalk cliffs (as Dover) it is an extremely prominent landmark. There is a mass expanse of water to see and the seascape is invariably dotted with boats and ships and of course huge skies. The mainland is in view and it feels special to look down on it for some reason.
• It always makes me smile to walk on chalk downs. It just seems staggering it was part of the seabed. (pushed up as a ripple effect of the clash between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates which created the Alps - see my geology of the IOW blog). Chalk is a soft, white, porous, sedimentary carbonate rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite and originally formed deep under the sea by the compression of sub-microscopic plankton which had fallen to the sea floor. 
• Culver is quiet because there is only one narrow road in. There is little or no noise pollution. You can hear the birds unless it is windy - which it often is of course.
• There are so many different footpaths to ascend and descend Culver. It can be a strenuous walk (not that strenuous or long really) which makes the view from the top something of a reward. Culver is a popular target for runners and joggers too. 
• Have you noticed when you are up high looking down time seems to standstill. Everything in view is either stationary or moving very slowly. It is tranquil. 
• The view from Culver is 360 degrees. You can see for miles and miles including much of the Isle of Wight.
• Culver is a great place for a picnic - to lay in the sun because you can always find somewhere in the lee - to sit and contemplate - for a romantic tryst lol. The plinth around the Yarborough monument is a lovely place to sit and popular with the walkers. If you are very lucky you can find both the lee and the sun!
• Sadly Culver has also been a place for suicide - a car over the cliff. (Apparently preventative measures have now been made.)
• It is hard to get to the top of Culver and not think of the Walk the Wight because it is effectively the start of the great walk - 26 miles. We have a love hate relationship with WTW!
• Culver is a great place to watch the spectacle of the Round the Island race if you get the timing right. Spinnakers flying as the boats come up the back of the Wight and then to turn into the eastern Solent to slog it out up to the Cowes finish (very occasionally it is the other way around and spinnakers to the finish
• And last but not least the Yarborough Monument. It can be seen for miles as I have referred. I have  downloaded some detail : The monument is a memorial to Charles Anderson-Pelham, the 2nd Baron Yarborough (later first Earl of Yarborough and also Baron Worsley), founder of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. It was originally erected in 1849 on the highest point of Bembridge Down, 3/4 mile to the west, and was moved to its present position in the 1860s when its former site was used for the construction of one of the Palmerston forts.
• To round off - a summary from Wikipedia. : 

Culver Down is a chalk down to the north of Sandown, Isle of Wight. It is believed that its name derives from "Culfre", which is Old English for dove.

The down has a typical chalk downland wildlife on the uncultivated areas (generally the southern and eastern slopes). This includes plants such as Small Scabious, Harebell, Cowslip and Lady's Bedstraw. The chalk cliffs to the north and east are important nesting places for seabirds. Historically, Culver has been the source of commercial bird's egg collecting from ropes over the cliff. It was also known for breeding peregrine falcons, as well as breeding Common Woodpigeons (Culvers), the source of the cliff's name.

The northern side is intensively grazed by cattle, so fertilization and poaching of the soil, not to mention a spell as an artillery training ground, have all but eliminated the natural chalk ecosystem.

On Culver Down a number of unusual ant species live, including the semi-myrmecophilous Solenopsis fugax (Latr.), a thief ant which was recorded there several times by Horace Donisthorpe. The ant Ponera coarctata has also been taken from this location.

The public parts of this prominent headland are owned and managed by the National Trust, and afford views of the English Channel.

For many years the whole site was a military zone and not open to the public. There are several historic military features on the down, a number of private dwellings, the Culver Haven pub, and the very visible Monument. The military barracks which once adjoined the monument has been almost completely erased, but there is a substantial fort, now under the ownership of the National Trust and occasionally opened to the public. Part of the fort is leased to Micronair, manufacturing crop-spraying and military equipment. It is a Palmerston Fort, constructed in the 1860s. At the end of the cliff is a coastal and anti-aircraft battery from the Second World War.

In 1545 a French force was intercepted crossing from its beachhead at Whitecliff Bay to attack Sandown by local levies under Sir John Oglander and a skirmish fought on the Down. The French were finally repulsed at Sandown.

The poet Algernon Charles Swinburne said in a letter that he had climbed the cliffs at 17, in order to prove his manhood to his family after they refused to let him join the army.

There is a legend that a 14th-century hermit lived at the end of the cliffs in a cave, in a structure then known as Culver Ness. He is said to have predicted that the well at Wolverton would be poisoned. When a pilgrim from Jerusalem came to bless the well, the vigilant and pious villagers are said to have murdered him. Shortly after, the French sacked the village and since then it has been lost beneath the trees of Centurion's Copse. They were repulsed from further mischief by Sir Theobald Russell. There was subsequently a great storm which destroyed the Ness and drowned the hermit. This was held to be divine retribution.

Here are a few photos :

Yarborough Monument - can be seen from miles away.

Sandown Bay

aerial view - Bembridge and the Solent beyond

from Yaverland beach Sandown Bay

Round the Island race