There have been several requests for Wessex Weekend Tour 3 to be located on the Isle of Wight.  The Mayfair Hotel in Shanklin on the East of the island has been pre-booked, which is in a prime location with lovely sea views.  Double/twin rooms cost £80 for the night including full English breakfasts. Single rooms are available (please request through me).  A 3-course dinner will be provided on Saturday evening at an additional cost of £20 per person.  I have applied to the club for a contribution towards these costs, consistent with the new policy agreed at the AGM, and I am awaiting a response. The dinner menu, which unfortunately is not extensive (but hopefully satisfying!!), is shown below:

To book the ferry from Southampton Town Quay to East Cowes return, please follow the link:  https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/ .  Enter the following:
Booking Type = Vehicle / Passenger Ferry
Outbound Route = Southampton to East Cowes
Return Route = East Cowes to Southampton
Outward Date = Sat 12 Oct 2024
Return Date = Sun 13 Oct 2024
Passengers = 2 Passengers  (or number required)
After watching the propeller spin, select Car/MPV/4×4
Select “ADD A PROMO CODE +” and enter BMWCAREVENT24 and select APPLY
Once again the propeller spins and then select under Outward Sailings Depart 09:00 → Arrive 10:00 for a saver fare cost of £42.50 and then SELECT THIS FARE
Under Return Sailings, pick a departure time that suits you and follow the same procedure.  Sunday will be a free day with optional visits so you can return on any sailing.  If, like me, you choose to return on the 17:30 sailing, the total ferry cost will be £85. Please note that to take advantage of this BMWCC discounted fare for the Return, you must sail on Sunday or you will be charged the full fare for the Return sailing.
From here just follow the website links to the payment section.  You will be required to enter your car registration number.  Whether you wish to take up any of Red Funnel’s “extras”, including insurance for non-sailing, is up to you.

A programme for the weekend will be issued soon. We will have an organised drive on Saturday, taking in major towns and visitor attractions on the island, and on Sunday you will be free to explore on your own or team up with friends.  If you would like to join the Tour please do not delay booking. The Isle of Wight is very popular all year around and the ferries and hotels book up well in advance. I am able to hold a good number of rooms at the hotel just now but I cannot influence ferry bookings. The hotel are not asking for a deposit but they need a commitment.  Please contact me with your room and dinner choices with details of any allergies as soon as possible. However, booking the ferry is more urgent.