I was brought up in the Isle of Wight, went to school in Ryde and my young brother is still in business in nearby Wootton Bridge. Often visit and stay at lovely hotel in Ventnor, which used to serve afternoon tea to Queen Victoria. I remember in my youth when the hovercraft was invented and developed at Saunders Roe in East Cowes. Ryde airport, now a Tesco store, was where aged 7 I had by first flight in a 3-seat aeroplane.
The old London tube trains replaced the 0-6-0 steam trains I used to travel in daily on the way to school. A Saturday morning treat I enjoyed (my school taught lessons every Saturday morning!) was to ride in the steam engine back home for a couple of miles of the journey from Sandown with the driver and fireman. Never be allowed now because of "health and safety"! Noise, severe vibration, heat, hot sulphurous steam, smuts in the hair - the memories are still alive!
Clive