I have lived on the Isle of Wight most of my life. This is the view from the Military Road down into Freshwater Bay and along the cliffs to Tennyson Down. The road runs along the dramatic south west coast. It was part of the coastal defence network and was upgraded during the 1930s as a link between forts and barracks, protecting the Island from invasion. Hitler considered occupying the Island as part of his invasion plan for Britain, “Unternehmen Seelowe” (Operation Sealion). This area is also part of the Jurassic Coast known for its geology and the proliferation of fossils, most notably the Iguanodon, a large herbivorous dinosaur.

The north coast fronts onto the Solent, celebrated for sailing events and maritime history. The main event is Cowes Week, it is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world, with up to 8,000 competitors crewing about 1000 boats. It has been running since 1862.

This project has been going on since I started photography back in the late 70s. I am considering a small book and exhibition sometime soon.