I’m feeling rather chuffed with myself as the instructor praises my superb hand-eye coordination. My initial venture into air pistol shooting has been a roaring success, with me consistently hitting the bullseye.
This unexpected accomplishment has left my sports-loving teenage children and partner Tim completely gobsmacked. To be honest, I’m quite surprised myself.
However, it doesn’t take long for the others to get the hang of it and soon we’re paired off, engaged in an intense competition to knock down a shelf of objects the quickest. Despite our best efforts, Tim and I are defeated, with the kids claiming victory.
Our shooting adventure was inspired by Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish air pistol competitor who gained internet fame during the Olympics with his relaxed and composed manner. We were at Top Targets, a shooting experience specialist located at Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight.
The establishment is run by Katie Bishop and her husband Dan, both of whom have won numerous medals. Dan was recently chosen to represent England in clay pigeon shooting, reports the Express.
We honed our skills by aiming at various targets such as paper bullseyes, old cartridges, and even rocks positioned 7.5 metres and 10 metres away.
Alongside my son Freddie and his friend Archie, both 15, Tim and I found the pistols light enough to handle one-handed, much like Dikec.
After getting the hang of the pistols, we all moved on to air rifles which were naturally longer and heavier, but surprisingly effective due to their superior sights.
As a unique form of entertainment that kept the whole family engaged and challenged, it was an exceptional experience.
The Isle of Wight turned out to be an excellent playground for the family. Our holiday kicked off with a pleasant 45-minute ferry ride across the Solent from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, courtesy of Wightlink, who also provide crossings for vehicles between Lymington and Yarmouth.
We pitched our tent on the bustling east coast, famous for its golden beaches and lively resorts such as Ryde and Sandown. However, we opted for the more peaceful St Helens Coastal Resort, tucked away in the village of St Helens near Bembridge.
This pristine site, part of the Away Resorts group, was compact yet inviting, featuring an outdoor swimming pool and a laid-back atmosphere. A short walk away, we found a handy grocery store and the Vine Inn, a local hotspot for hearty pub grub and a weekly quiz night.
Further down, we stumbled upon a delightful harbour and picturesque houseboats.
A slightly longer stroll took us to the captivating Duver Beach, complete with soft sand, tranquil waters, colourful beach huts, and a snack bar. We spent lazy days here, sunbathing and swimming, which effortlessly turned into enjoyable evenings watching the sunset and having a beach barbecue.
At St Helens Coastal Resort, we found ourselves in a spacious two-bedroom luxury lodge complete with a private hot tub. The inclusion of home amenities such as a washing machine, dishwasher, and an en-suite bedroom ensured a truly restful stay.
One attraction we were keen to visit was The Needles, a series of impressive chalk stacks situated at the island’s most western point.
For a spectacular view of the Needles and the broader Solent, hop on the Needles chairlift. The ride offers a stunning vista of Alum Bay, renowned for its multi-coloured sand cliffs that feature 21 distinct shades.
These were created 10 million years ago when shifts in the bedrock pushed quartz, mica and feldspar sediments into a vertical formation. For a closer look at these geological marvels, boat trips or RIB rides are typically available.
Tapnell Farm, formerly a dairy farm housing 800 cows and producing 6,300 gallons of milk annually, is now a favoured family adventure zone. It provides a variety of activities from a farm park and animal experiences to archery and footgolf.
During an unexpected rain shower, we sought refuge in a large barn to watch ferret racing. Afterwards, Freddie and Archie slipped into wetsuits to try out Tapnell’s aqua park (£22pp).
The aqua park, the only one on the island, boasts a colossal water-based obstacle course replete with slides, monkey bars and slippery poles. With intimidating names like Neptune’s steps, ninja jump and the 3.8-metre high Mount Rainier, it offers an exhilarating challenge.
Despite their initial bravado, the daring duo found it difficult to maintain balance on the obstacles, but their laughter and smiles indicated they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
As my children transitioned into their teenage years, keeping them entertained during holidays became increasingly challenging. However, the Isle of Wight presented a unique solution in the form of Goodleaf Tree Climbing.
This simple yet engaging activity provides a refreshing alternative to conventional climbing walls, allowing participants to climb a 300 year old English oak tree situated in Appley Park on the outskirts of Ryde. With ropes fastened around its towering branches and aerial hammocks for relaxation, Goodleaf’s expert guidance ensures you’ll be up in the tree in no time.
Armed with hard hats and harnesses, my sons Freddie and Archie learned how to hoist themselves up using acorn knots for safety before being allowed to explore freely. They managed to ascend various ropes to an impressive height of 14 metres.
Despite the physical effort, they concurred that the breath-taking views and sense of freedom made the experience entirely worthwhile (prices start from £29 per person, visit goodleaf.co.uk).
The Isle of Wight is famed for its plethora of festivals, and our journey coincided with the Garlic Festival. This grand country fair celebrates the versatile bulb and showcases its myriad uses.
We sampled an assortment of garlic-infused treats, including chocolate ice cream, fudge, and even beer. The verdict?
Surprisingly delicious!
Book the holiday
To book your holiday, sail from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, Isle of Wight, with Wightlink Ferries. Prices start from £82.50 for a car and up to four people.
Visit wightlink.co.uk for more information.
Away Resorts is offering a three-night weekend stay in a luxury lodge with a hot tub at St Helens Coastal Resort, Isle of Wight, starting from £237 for two people. For more information, visit awayresorts.co.uk.
Additional details can be found at visitisleofwight.co.uk.