((Hey you’ve changed to numbers for the days and what’s with posting this late at night!)) I know, I needed to change the titles as they were getting too long so made more sense to have numbers and what with doing boat jobs and one thing and another I’ve only just had time to finish the blog. ((Well, it’s upsetting my rhythm. I hope you know that!)) I’ve created one blog for this week as it’s a break away from the canal blogs! Back to them tomorrow hopefully.
Tuesday 15th: A car trip from Trent Lock to Derby train station to catch my train which would ultimately see me arrive at Bentham in North Yorkshire on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Three Peaks where my family live. Mum and I are going on a coach trip to the Isle of Man with Bibby’s of Ingleton. I’ve always wanted to visit the island as it’s the home of the TT which is something we watch every year. The train is on time ((SHOCK HORROR!)) and it’s nice peering out of the window, not only looking at the amazing views across the dales but also the canals which pop up here and there from Leeds onwards… to think one day we will be on them.
Wednesday 16th: My Aunty is in a nursing home in the next village so I pop over and see her and sign of few of my books, bless her she always buys my new books and gives them as gifts to the carers which is lovely. We are picked up from the nursing home by one of mum’s friends who I love chatting with. Her stories about farming many years ago and the sneaky parties during wartime are fascinating!
Thursday 17th: Thankfully we don’t get picked up until around 10am and then don’t head too far up the road as we stop for coffee and wait for other bus trippers to join the coach before heading to Heysham for the ferry crossing to Douglas. We find out that we are on the new ferry – The Manxman and sadly there is quite a delay before we finally get the chance to board. Although, I’m well chuffed as I celebrity spot people like John McGuinness MBE, Michael Rutter and various other motorbike racers, mechanics and racing team folk as they are heading over for the TT races. We arrive in time to go straight for tea at the hotel which is very nice and then head to our room to unpack and have an early night.
Friday 18th: Changeable weather will accompany us for the 4 days we are here but we are luckier than most as the ferry doesn’t run for some of days which sadly means people miss out on their holidays and arriving for the TT trials. After a very nice buffet breakfast we head off into the wet and very windy weather to board the coach with our driver Jeff. We are only on a few minutes and are soon catching the Steam Train from Douglas to Port Erin. We share the carriage with two people from our trip and have a good chat and laugh along the way as we take in the scenes. Luckily, the weather doesn’t dampen the views too much. We arrive into Port Erin and have an hour and half to wander about but the wind and rain really pick up so we brave a walk to look at the coastal point, which I imagine is beautiful when the weather is nice, we pop into a charity shop before heading for a coffee. There is a massive queue as everyone escapes the weather so we sneak over to a pub I spotted and enjoy a coffee and maybe there was a little scone eaten. Then Jeff decides to take us to The Sound which is opposite a nature reserve island. Again, it’s beautiful but would be even better if the weather was in our favour. We do get chance to see the seals popping up to watch us, watching them.
After this we head to a planned stop at The National Folk Museum at Cregneash. We were lucky as the rain held off and was just a little cold and windy as we walked around and looked at the old houses, some of which people still live in so obviously couldn’t go in those. It was really interesting though and thoroughly recommended if you’re there. We met the Manx cat – shown in the pics.
It was back to the hotel, a nice meal and then a walk on the beach before settling down to a film and a game of cards 😊
Saturday 19th: We drove around some of the TT track which was very exciting for me! After watching it for so many years it was nice to cruise around and see some of the twists and turns. How they ride this course at those speeds is beyond me but I love watching it. We drove up to Peel, which was a lovely place with its impressive castle and huge waves crashing against the sea wall. The promised 40-50mph winds have stopped some of the ferries and we have to shuffle around some of the planned excursions due to things closing. I could really have spent all day here just wandering and looking out to sea and wandering around the little harbour. Sadly, we didn’t have time to visit the castle so will have to return!
Back to the bus and our next visit is to Ramsey. It was okay with lots of shops but probably my least favourite place to visit. I much preferred the little coastal villages. It was then a short trip, about 2 mins to catch the Electric train which is where the plans changed a little due to the weather. We were supposed to get off at Laxey and go up the mountain but it had been closed due to the weather so instead we stayed on the train and returned to Douglas where our hotel was. A group on stag do are on board for part of the trip so it was quite entertaining as well as the stunning coastal views it was well worth the trip. It was then back to the hotel for chill out time before dinner.
Sunday 20th: As a little extra trip as we missed out on the mountain yesterday we had a visit to Castletown, again along with Peel these are by far the best places to visit. Very oldie worldly and interesting to walk around. Today was ‘The Football Match’ and they had set up a large screen in the market square and all the villagers were there with chairs and food to watch it, which meant mum and I had a lovely quiet walk around to take it all in. So impressive, especially along the sea wall. Another place I could have stayed all day just enjoying the atmosphere and views. Next it was a drive back to Douglas with free time to meander and then we relaxed with a game of cards and a bit of reading in the hotel before a wander on the beach and our final dinner in the hotel.
Monday 21st: We have a fab, and on time ferry crossing and I hope I will get the chance to visit the Isle of Man again. What a wonderful place with so much to see and do and the people we met were lovely. We arrive back at mums about 1.30pm and I quickly wash my clothes whilst I have the luxury of a washing machine! Sadly, showers stop me drying them so I put them on hangers in the car and then finish of drying them when we arrive back at the boat. I was going to come back on the train tomorrow but Chris decided since he had the car he might as well collect me so we could have an extra day cruising up the Erewash – I’m so glad he did as we would have struggled to get there in time!
I hope you enjoyed this little break for the Isle of Man, if you get chance to go then I highly recommend it. Until tomorrow when we are back to canal days as we go up the Erewash which has a bit of a reputation and we try to get to the end to have the boat out of the water to have its bottom blacked! Latest vlog here…
Until tomorrow. xx
P.S. I did try and add some pictures but my signal isn’t up to much! You can head over to my Instagram or Facebook page and i will add some more pictures on there :).
C.L. Peache 