Life’s all-Wight

Although, I will admit, driving onto a ferry was a little nerve-wracking. I was convinced it was going to be Titanic 2: The Sequel – yes, I am aware there are no icebergs around our shores, but let’s not let facts get in the way of a good panic.

Seeing Dad has always been a little nerve-wracking, but as soon as we’re together and can start torturing each other with terrible banter, it’s like no time has passed at all.

We spent the weekend putting the world to rights and, believe it or not, I think we were both able to take some advice from each other about the next stages of our lives. It was one of those weekends where you realise just how important it is to have people around you who have your best intentions at heart.

I arrived on Thursday, which was conveniently the only day of my entire trip that we had sunshine. I’m starting to think I brought the much-needed rain with me!

We sat in the garden with drinks and music at hand and even indulged in some father-daughter karaoke. Dad plays guitar, while I convince myself I’m a fabulous singer once I’ve had a drink – so naturally, this was always going to be a Grammy-winning performance.

I’ve even come home with my own guitar from Dad so I can practise my future career as a Taylor Swift tribute act. Although, I should probably learn the basic chords before I start booking venues…

On Friday, we visited Osborne House, where Queen Victoria resided in the 1800s. It really is a beautiful building, and it was fascinating to see the rooms where royalty actually lived – and died – in. Oh, how the other half lived! Although I will say the staff did seem to begrudge guests and could have done with a little less attitude and a little more “welcome, you’ve paid to be here”.

On Saturday, Meli and I headed into town for some very important book shopping. I’m absolutely thrilled that she is a fellow bookworm, although we proved to be terrible influences on each other when it came to practising restraint.

I may have come home with ten books.

Meli is such a lovely and talented lady – beautiful inside and out – and, as if being a fellow book lover wasn’t enough, she’s also a chef and a nail artist. So, naturally, my weekend was filled with delicious homemade meals and I came home with a fresh set of beautiful nails, too.

Whichever venue gets the opportunity to take advantage of her culinary skills is in for an absolute treat.

I also got to meet up with my little brother during the trip, and it’s crazy to think that he’s almost a teenager. The last time I saw him, he was just a young boy! I’m very glad he’s keeping Dad on his toes while my sister and I aren’t there.

We had a great catch-up, and I loved getting to know him a little more. It’s funny yet terrifying how quickly time passes.

The whole weekend was filled with laughter, heart-to-hearts and proper, off-grid family time – and I’ve come home feeling a little lighter for it.

I love knowing that, even though Dad and Meli are a few hundred miles away, they’re there when I need them. I do miss them a lot, even though we all get swept up in the chaos of our day-to-day lives.

Sometimes, we need those little reminders to stop, take a breath and appreciate the people around us while we have them here.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll go and stay on the Isle of Wight for a little while.

After all, they do have a newsletter called WightLife…