Our 1987 Camping Holiday to the Isle of Wight
Day 1 — Leicester to the Sea
In the summer of 1987, we packed our Mercedes Estate car with everything we thought a young family might need: a small tent, blankets, food, clothes, and plenty of excitement. I was 34, Hansa was 33, Nitin was 9, and little Shital was 6.
We left Leicester early, the children full of questions before we had even reached the motorway. The long drive towards Plymouth felt like the beginning of a real adventure. After many hours on the road, we reached the ferry crossing. For the children, the ferry itself was a holiday highlight — standing on deck, watching the water, feeling the wind, and looking out for land.
By evening, we reached the Isle of Wight and found our campsite. I built our small tent while Hansa organised the bedding and food. It was simple, but that was the point: we wanted Nitin and Shital to experience camping, outdoor life, and a little independence for tomorrow.
That night, we slept close together in the tent, listening to the sounds of the campsite and the distant sea.
