Saturday 18th February 2012

Woohoo! A bright day with blue skies and sunshine! This was nice to see especially as we won't be out walking next week as Chris and I are moving house.

First, we headed to Ballaugh as Dave had heard of an area with lots of snowdrops. We arrived at the spot and, I don't think I've ever seen as many snowdrops in one place. Unfortunately they were on private land and we didn't think the owners would appreciate us on their lawn. There were a few patches outside the grounds though

We also saw some fungus, because of the shape I've called it Ear fungus - I'm sure it's real name is something similar



We next headed to Peel. Last time we had been there the weather was miserable and we had decided to return on a better day. We had a mooch around the streets and took some shots.

After lunch, we headed to Braddan Old Church - another place we had decided to visit on a nice day. It is a really old graveyard, dating back to the 6th Century and the graves are packed in. There is lots of garlic coming up, along with daffodils but at present there is a profusion of snowdrops

We then headed up Douglas Head and took a walk down to the lighthouse. I didn't know you could walk so close to it

We turned back after short walk along Marine Drive. It was rather blowy and unpleasantly cold. We then headed over to Laxey and took a few pictures before the rain started, including one of the lighthouse at the end of the pier that looks a bit like a dalek or, is it just me?



Sunday 12th February 2012

This morning we started heading towards Peel then had a change of heart and went to the Point of Ayre instead. I decided to walk a different stretch of beach looking for discarded items this week.

First up the usual rubber glove but, this was the only one I saw. Though there were plenty of gloves they were more of the gardening sort rather than heavy duty fishermen ones

Not as many shoes either along this stretch of beach, just a single trainer

Further along, I came across a single piece of lego - this is becoming more common but, always just single pieces, nearby was a video tape and a scrubbing brush

The final item for today was a Nokia phone cover

Then it was time to head home and continue packing for the house move

Saturday 11th February 2012

Yet another wet and miserable Saturday! We headed towards Glen Maye as initially at least, it looked brighter that way and, we thought there might be a chance of some snowdrops. When we got there, it was at least fairly dry so, we went for a walk down the glen. We were quite surprised to see how far advanced the garlic was

After we returned to the car, we decided to head over to Niarbyl for lunch. This was to be eaten in the car as it was wet and wild, not really eating out weather.

After lunch, we discussed where we might go to see snowdrops and decided the Arboretum at St Johns was a good bet. No such luck - plenty of daffs coming up but no snowdrops or crocus

We decided to head back up north so, after a brief visit into Bishopcourt Glen (no snowdrops there either) we arrived at Ballaugh Old Church.

Whilst walking around the grounds, we found some snowdrops but, they were too battered by the wind to get a decent shot so, I went for a different angle instead

And so, home, with Dave telling me how there is a big clump of snowdrops at the back of where he parks his car....

Sunday 5th February 2012

This morning Chris suggested that, for a change, we head into Douglas to take some pictures. I think this may have been partially motivated by the chance for him to drive my new car over the Mountain Road.

On arrival in Douglas, we decided to do a pincer movement, Chris would walk along the front and I would go through the shopping area. We would meet at the end, go down to the Villa and then cross over for our walk back to the car.

The shopping area was fairly quiet - many places weren't yet open

We bagan to walk down towards the Villa

We entered the Villa gardens, apart from a few Primroses, nothing much in flower yet

We went onto the upper walkway

We then went into the Villa itself.

Part way up the steps, there is a sculpture

We headed back down towards the car

I arrived back at the car first so, occupied myself taking pictures of it whilst waiting for Chris to arrive

Shame the other cars are in the way of my shot.....