Saturday 21st July 2012

Today Dave and I headed to Port Erin to walk the coastal path to the Sound and then back along the road. As we parked up in Port Erin, we saw a number of fishermen out on kayaks. Apparently this is a yearly competition and the aim is to catch as many species as possible. We were told that someone had caught ten different species. I'm not sure how they verified the catch with the judges

It wasn't as bright and sunny as we had hoped but it remained warm and dry. There were a number of marker posts still evident from the pier to pier run last weekend - we took a little bit longer than them to get as far as the calf!

Once we arrived at the Sound, we sat and had some lunch. There were a lot of people with binoculars looking at the seals - I wonder if they were looking for the one that had been caught in the netting earlier in the week. They didn't seem to notice the Gannet that cut the corner or the Choughs circling overhead. A gull sat eyeing up a lunch - he didn't get lucky though

After lunch, we headed up the road to work our way back to Port Erin

Time for an ice cream then we headed to Peel and saw the last few long boats going out.

Sunday 15th July 2012

Today Chris and I headed down south to Port Erin as Strix had a kart entered in the soapbox races in the afternoon. As usual, we were early and in Port Erin before most places were open. It was pleasant sat in the sun watching the world go by. I saw a young girl on the beach, paddling in the water in a dress not very suited for the beach

After some time, we could see that karts were starting to assemble so, I headed up the hill whilst Chris had a wander to see if he could see the beach football.

Up on the hill, a team member had been to buy some duck tape so that the Strix kart could be put together...

Then came the realisation that the steering cord needed to be moved (it no longer worked under the cover) and there was a possibility holes may need to be cut for feet (to go on the steering bar) and another hole so that the brake could be reached. Andy got in so that the pit crew could see where adjustments needed to be made

Andy did the first run for the Strix crew

and Maurice the second

There was a crash on the course on one of the bends

There were some quite inventive karts, including one that sprayed the crowd with water as it came down the hill

Saturday 14th July 2012

Today Dave and I started our day in Milntown - it had been wet but the sun was now shining intermittently and we were hoping for some nice rain drops on the flowers.

We next headed up the Mountain Road in order to walk along the greenway road that runs parallel to the Druidale Road. The weather wasn't as bright as was hoped but, at least it stayed dry

After we returned to the car, we decided to head north as it looked much brighter however, a walk around the Curraghs produced little and no photos

Sunday 8th July 2012

The promised sunshine didn't make an appearance but, at least it stayed dry in the north. Chris and I first went to Ballaghennie as yesterday he had seen quite a few Pyramidal Orchids on the Ayres.

We then went up to the Point of Ayre, the Manx Shearwaters had been coming quite close to shore and were in large numbers so, we sat for a while on the beach trying for pictures

Saturday 7th July 2012

Today was bright and sunny and Dave and I decided to head down south. As we passed through Douglas, we called in to the Continental Market that was on the prom. There were lots of tempting stalls - it was a good job I didn't have much money with me!

We then headed to Derbyhaven and had a walk around the footpath at the back of the airport. Lunch was eaten sat on a beach in the sunshine

We then headed over to Castletown as the tin bath races were on this afternoon. We managed to find a place to park then headed towards the harbour, only to find there was an admission charge and it was starting a lot later than we had thought. We didn't have enough cash with us to get in so, went for a wander around Castletown instead. We saw some yachts in the bay - a regatta was on this weekend and, saw an old car down one of the side streets with a picnic basket on the back with matching deerstalkers!

Sunday 1st July 2012

This morning started grey and overcast but, not to be deterred, Chris and I dropped the roof on the MR2 and set off. We took a meandering route south as we thought we might visit the Queenie festival so, after calling into see some friends (who have just moved to Castletown), we headed to Port St Mary. We managed to park and headed down to where the festival was being held. We then saw there was a gate with a sign and a suggested £3 donation for adults to enter. We decided against this and, after a picnic headed back up north.

Chris went off to bed (Sunday afternoon - he always does) and I headed over to Mooragh Park to see the classic cars.

As I walked through the park, there were some people on the lake practising for next week's tin bath championships in Castletown. Now, I'm sure this man wasn't naked but.....

I carried on to have a look at the cars. There were a number of classic and newer Jaguars

E-Type

E-Type reflection in jag wheel

There were a number of other classics such as old Rolls Royce, Austin Healey, Model T Ford etc



Model T light

Just as I was about to leave a Ferrari pulled up so, I went for a wander over. This was a 1979 car and had been on the island with one owner since new with just 5000 miles on the clock. Such a shame to own a car like that but to enjoy it so infrequently