A Good Sound Walk

I think somewhere burrowed in the annals of this blog is a walk around the Meayll Peninsula. Well, here's another one! However, it isn't quite the same because as it had been raining quite heavily in the days previous to our visit, we decided to stick to the roads.

If you walk past the 'Bay Hotel,' just to the right is a small very steep lane up to a couple of private homes that once were guest houses.



You find yourself on the Darrag Road which is basically an initially sharply contoured single track, approximately a mile long which passes Ballaman, formerly owned by racing driver, Nigel Mansell and eventually joins the road to the Sound just below Cregneash.

I don't think I've ever seen quite so many seals on Kitterland (which is a further mile down to the Cafe)but unfortunately, the camera on my phone was quite good enough to pick them out in an unblurry fashion.

On our way back, we continued up past Cregneash (the thatched village preserved as it was in the first half of the last century as a working museum and on to the Howe.



We then turned on to the Glen Chas Road which leads both to the Chasms and also to Port St Mary. 'The Bay View Pub' has fallen on hard times in recent years but luckily, it has been taken over and the Landlord is investing time and money on refurbishment and also fortunately, the beer garden with the best view on the Island.

We arrived at just at the best part of the day for a swift one after our exercise but ended up missing about three buses before could tear ourselves away home.

Harry Birthday Happy & Christopher

Who stole the last two years?

It was my life and I want it back!



Yes incredibly, it's two years since Happy Monster and Christopher were born and it's hard to reconcile this bouncing bundle of trouble and fun with the tiny bag of bones that was brought into this World.

(I look more tired than Lucy here. Don't know what my excuse was ;))

During a recent trip to the Curraghs Wildlife Park, he didn't show an ounce of enthusiasm for the animals. He loved the pathways and slopes though.



Of course, he probably wouldn't be with us now if it wasn't for the role played by Christopher, his twin brother. So lets remember him with thanks.

What a Difference a Year Makes

http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/dont-mention-mint-sauce.html



That was March 2012. Note the sunglasses, the tee-shirts and if you're feeling exceptionally brave you could go look at the whole blog posting and see my hairy uncovered legs. (I seem to struggle with the 'Blogger link button, so I'm afraid you'll have to copy & paste)



This is March 2013! And in Douglas, we have the best of it. Below is a picture of Glen Maye, complete with abandoned car, with thanks to Pete Bradley who posted on Facebook.



Looking on the bright side, at least we're getting this now instead of July/August like last year

New Website, News & Events, Old Blog

The Welbeck Website will be totally revamped and replaced shortly and therefore my blog and the latest news etc. will be split, so that the news section will contain information relevant to the business while I continue to waffle about rubbish that I hope one or two of you will find interesting.

Although much of the time, I do wonder occasionally whether there is actually anyone out there beside my Indian friends whose comments I think are trying to boost the ratings of some far flung website rather than illuminate my witterings with any relevance.

However, since I opened with 'Toolbox takes a holiday' in 2010 (brilliant irony that this was posted on April Fools Day, unintentionally I might add,)according to the blogger.com stats I've had nearly 17,000 page views, though we've never again seen the toolbox

***

When considering when to come to the Island and of course the Welbeck Hotel and Restaurant, it may be an idea to check the events happening over that period.

On the IOM Government website there is a comprehensive method of checking for things of interest to you.

www.visitisleofman.com

I have also reproduced some of the headline 'What's On' features until the end of April.

IOM Student Festival of Sport 21-24 March

J M Nicholson Art Exhibition opens 23 March

Rush Hour on the Railways 29 March -2nd April

Easter Festival of Running 29-31 March

Egg Rolling at Cregneash 8 April

CAMRA Real Ale Of Man Beer Festival 4-6th April

Murder Mystery on the Railway 12-13 April

Cycling Sportive TT Course 20 April

Sara Killey 50k Walk 21 April

Pie in the Sky (stargazing and supper) 26-27 April TBC

The Guild * (Prom Parking) 26 April - 4 May

MMRC Manx Classic Cars Sprint and Hillclimb* 25-27 April

Welbeck Wednesdays

For the month of March, we are offering a main course, sweet and coffee for £14.00 every Wednesday.

Ring now and book your table!

Of course, we are still open every other day for breakfast from 07:15 to 09:30 (10:00 weekends,)

Lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 to 14:00 www.welbeckhotel.com/sampleweekday.html">

Sunday Lunch 12:30 to 14:30 www.welbeckhotel.com/samplesunday.html">

Dinner daily from 18:30 to 21:30 every night of the week.



Sample Menu Only

The Following is our Inclusive 'Table D'Hôte three-course menu (including starter, main course, sweet & coffee or food to the value of £22.00) priced at £22.00 plus supplements where applicable and also our individually priced 'A la Carte' menu.

Starters

Cream Cauliflower Soup garnished with Crispy Smoked Bacon - £4.75

Asparagus wrapped in Proscuitto with Tarragon Dressing- £4.75

Manx Queenies with Garlic and Bacon - £6.25 (tdh £1.50 extra)

Melon Welbeck - £4.75

Deep Fried Brie with Summer Fruits Coulis - £4.75

Smoked Salmon Salad - £4.75

Manx Mushrooms with Garlic Stilton - £4.75

Chicken Liver Pâté - £4.75

Manx Kipper Pâté - £4.75

Prawn Cocktail - £6.25 (tdh £1.50 extra)

Main Course

Roast Manx Chicken with Garlic & Herbs - £14.00

Grilled Manx Spring Lamb Cutlets - £14.00

Escalope of Local Beef in a Manx Whisky and Cream Sauce - £14.00

Seared Venison Loin served on Croutons with Chicken Liver Pâté - £16.00 (£2.00 extra)

Pork Steak in Breadcrumbs stuffed with Manx Cranberry Druidale Cheese - £14.00

Cold Meat Salad - £14.00

Pan Fried Duck Breast with Toasted Almonds & Sherry Jus - £14.00

Steamed Fillet of Sea Bass with Ginger, Spring Onions, Garlic and a Dash of Thai Fish Sauce - £14.00

Fillet of Plaice with stuffed with Spinach & Mushrooms in a White Wine Sauce - £14.00

Deep Fried Fillet of Smoked Haddock in Crispy Batter - £14.00

Baked Salmon Fillet with Honey and Grain Mustard Glaze - £14.00

V Peppers stuffed with Rice & Gratinated Cheese Sauce -£12.00 (tdh -£2.00)

V Penne alla Vegetariana - £12.00 (tdh -£2.00)

V Manx Mushrooms en Croute - £12.00 (tdh -£2.00)

10oz Manx Sirloin Steak - £17.00 (tdh 3.00 extra)

8oz Manx Fillet Steak - £18.00 (tdh £4.00 extra)

Pepper Sauce - £2.50

All of the above served with Potatoes & Vegetables

(Salad or Chips by request)

Please ask to see our Dessert & Coffee Menu

Fabulous New Activities on the Isle of Man

The demographic of the visitors to the Isle of Man (and of course the Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant) has evolved over the years and although we still have the beautiful beaches, the transport network and all the Manx National Heritage sites, not to mention the fabulous scenery, there is no doubt that many of today's holidaymakers want to interact with our surroundings.

Therefore, over the last few years, several new enterprises have sprung up hoping to tap into the market, so the intention of this blog is to make you aware of more of the possibilities that a trip to the Isle of Man can offer.

www.adventurousexperiences.com/ Adventurous Experiences have been around quite some time now and provide Sea Kayaking, Gorge Scrambling, Coasteering, Hill Navigation & Rock Climbing. I can personally vouch for the kayaking and the boats are really excellent and not just standard tourist fat unsinkable things.

Gorge Scrambling

At South Barrule there are already a series of Mountain Bike Trails but opening this May is a tree climbing course with zip wire and pedal karts. Initially it will be mainly for children but they are currently constructing some more challenging sets for older teenagers and adults.

Ape Mann Adventure Park

www.facebook.com/pages/Ape-Mann-Adventure-Park/147791105369335

Unfortunately, their website is only being built at the moment but above is a Facebook page that has plenty of photographs.

Another new company is running Segway Tours. I reckon Irene & I will have to review this one for another blog



http://www.segwaypt.im/

More in a slightly different vein another time.

Latest News from The Welbeck

Here at the Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant, we still have vacancies for this weekend and indeed all dates up to and including Easter.

This weekend sees the return of the Irish Junior Racewalking Squad. The branch of athletics is on a high at the moment in Ireland following their excellent showing at the Olympics with Robbie Heffernan coming so close to bronze in the men's 50k. Many of their current stars including RH and also World Championship silver medallists, Gillian O'Sullivan & Olive Loughnane raced here in the not too distant past, so their coach, Michael Lane will be hoping that some of these young athletes will be the next crop of future Olympians.

www.manxharriers.com

They will also be hoping to remove some silverware from the Isle of Man at Saturday's Ascot Hotel sponsored Manx Open Walks.

There is a sporting occasion that begins the following Friday too but it couldn't be more different than this week's fare. The B.D.O. Isle of Man Darts Festival with some well known stars including 'The Count' Ted Hankey and a strong Dutch contingent comes to the Villa Marina. For a full preview, see:

http://www.bdodarts.com/1740/11-02-2012/27th_Isle_of_Man_Darts_Festival_March_9th_to_11th_Preview

On 23rd March, I went to Ramsey for my fourth weekend in a row, this time to watch our son Terence and his friend (Tom & Terry you heard it hear first ;)) play in aid of the Northern Lights Studio Project.