Floating bridge

Which ferries foot passengers and cars between East and West Cowes is a familiar sight to anyone travelling up the Medina River by boat, when the yellow lights start to flash and the chains start to clank over the rollers it's a good idea to hold back and give way.

Just as interesting is to take the ferry across from East Cowes, foot passengers travel free and the passenger area is decorated with artwork and poems from local people and schools.

Sunday was the annual Around the Island cycle event the Randonne, a 66 mile ride around the Isle of Wight. As we got off the ferry in West Cowes we were greeted by a wave of riders, rather than the half dozen of so cars, what seemed to be around 100 cyclists crowed on to cross the river for the next leg of the event to Ryde (no pun intended) and then on to Bembridge.