If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say Nothing At All - Well Maybe Just A Little Bit

I'm afraid to announce that we didn't win the 'Hotel of the Year' this time and therefore are in a mighty huff, so changed our point of view back to what it was before last year (see earlier blog: http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/welbeck-isle-of-man-hotel-of-year-2010.html.)

Sore losers?

Absolutely!

Though in fairness, had we been beaten by the other nominee (there were three,) we wouldn't have had any qualms but the winner is ranked 20th out of 27 on Trip Advisor, so it would seem to make the whole exercise rather farcical.

Oh well. Such is life!

Tourism Awards Ceremony Looms

Thanks to all our Gymnasts from Garstang, York and the Diamonds club from Halifax.

I didn't see them before they left as we were busy with family matters last weekend but I hope their achievements matched their expectations.

Wednesday sees the Isle of Man Tourism Awards take place at the Mount Murray Hotel, so the nerves have begun to jangle a little as we hope to retain our title from last year of 'Best Hotel.'

As the winter weather takes hold, personally, I'm looking forward to our Christmas break but we still have large table vacancies 2nd & 3rd December as well as plenty of midweek space.

JCB - Stick To What You Are Good At!

If only we could have had weather like today in July a bit more often or during the Commonwealth Youth Games!

It's probably dangerous to say and I'll expect all sorts of opprobium to land on my head if it takes a turn for the worse but I would like to thank the IOM Government very much for buying a 'Salt Mountain' to fight the winter ice.

Unfortunately, I can't take a photograph of the wonderful view from the Hotel, as my new telephone is a throwback to the stoneage. If anyone out there is thinking of buying a JCB mobile, don't bother. They are rubbish!

The thought process behind purchasing such a disaster was that I would be safe dropping it as I regularly do and that I would be able to take it out training with me without worrying what the rain would do to it but within half an hour of walking out of the shop, the errors of my ways started to dawn on me.

Technologically, still being stuck somewhere near the end of the last century (that's the 20th not the 19th honest,) I have never actually got around to buying a ring tone, having failed for the last 2 years in attempting to download, Channel 4's theme to the Tour de France but my goodness, I'm going to have to plead mercy to one of my kids to do it for me soon.

Having ascertained that having the engine sound of a JCB earthmover springing into life was inappropriate for an hotelier, rather embarassingly whilst serving at a dinner table, the best of the other awful noises is akin to a drunken Rolf Harris playing 'Canon' on his horrendous Lackofstylophone or whatever it was called and I'm currently stuck with that for the time being.

When I'm out with the family, one of the kids grabs it to turn off the text warning as it is a total affront to their 'Street Cred.' Talking of 'Text,' that's rubbish too! My previous handset, stored about 5,000 messages before it shuddered to a halt, overloaded by a year or so of my personal minutiae. This device seems to have the electronic equivalent of alzeimers, capable of holding only a hundred texts including sent messages, so I'm constantly having to trawl through trying to work out what to keep or delete.

I can't find a way to save regularly used words not in its puny dictionary and I'm unable to even time my boiled eggs.

And worst of all: It doesn't even have 'Smilies' :-( ;-)

Wedding Bells, TV News, Webtastic Wi-Fi Upgrade & Another Nomination

This week's 'Blog' is a little more contented and after a bit of a wobbly October when I was fearing that we may have to resort to redundancies etc., November is proving to be far busier.

More good news is that despite spending half the summer without any of the Government Survey forms, from which the competition is judged upon, we have once again been nominated for the Department of Economic Development's, 'Hotel of the Year Award.'

Watch this space as the ceremony will be held at the Mount Murray Hotel, 30th November.

All our rooms now have digital televisions and the pictures from 'Freeview' are lovely and clear. The added bonus is that we should also be able to improve the quality of vision on our 'Sky' channels, as we will no longer need to feed the old 'Terrestial' channels through our analogue system, meaning there should be less interference

Previously, we had four 'Wi-fi' networks to cover the entire Hotel & Apartments but we have now added further access points and there are now twelve which we are hoping will serve the property far more effectively.

As this is being written, our plumber, Andy Kennish is continuing with the work to upgrade the bathrooms, so you'll have to visit soon to check them out.

Two of our staff have been married this year (not to each other,) so if you're a nervous bachelor, The Welbeck is possibly a place to avoid. Although Rumyana and Piotr tend to work behind the scenes and are probably not too well known to our customers, I'm sure that you'll join me in offering our congratulations.

Unfortunately, Piotr is soon to leave us after three years in the kitchen and Rumyana is currently unable to work because she is still recovering from a broken leg but we're hoping she'll soon be fit to return.

Flybe Take The Biscuit, Then My Money, Then More Money and Then Money to Take Money

A brief update on my post from last week:

I quickly managed to change a name for my Monarch flight for the expected £95.00 with the addition of £2.38 for using a Mastercard, gritting my teeth but there you go. Having paid over £1500 for our total booking, I suppose it isn't that monstrous.

Onwards my fingers marched and having endured perhaps only ten minutes on the telephone, I was finally connected to the Flybe operator who said,'Yes, no problem, that will be £120.06.'

Having been told that it cost £40.00 for each journey, this came somewhat as a shock but apparently in the small print it says that you also have to pay the difference between what the fare was when you booked it and the price now!

What? How? Why? What on earth for?

The brain was whirring and I politely told the Flybe employee that I thought it it was a total rip off and said I'd think about it.

I didn't think for long.

In fact I just re-booked another flight for £104.00 without luggage and we'll use the extra allowance on the spare ticket.

This will leave them with an empty seat and a very unhappy customer. It is incredible that these people can survive in business and I'll do anything in future not to fly Flybe.

How to earn £2700 per hour.

It's have a go at the airlines time again!

Still smarting from being unable to obtain Flybe's unobtainable mandatory free method of payment, I discovered a new way to pay them and Easyjet loads of money to do virtually nothing this week:

Change the name of a flier!

Perhaps my reader knows different but surely, this is just a matter of taking a phone call, re-entering the name and pressing a key on the computer to send the message which should surely take less than two minutes but for which Flybe want to charge me £80.00 and Easyjet £90.00!

I'm actually very tempted to pay an extra £16 or so to book another flight on the Isle of Man leg, just to leave them with an empty seat and we could take an extra suitcase with us*.
Whilst we're on the subject and the blood pressure is starting to rise, I thought I might just mention what happened to us a few years ago, with another tale of how our airlines do their best to ensure they receive our loyalty and goodwill, so that no one else will get caught out:

On a break during a flight from Australia, I thought that it would be a marvellous idea to check for our Flybe trip from Manchester to the Isle of Man. It was only when I reached the end of the procedure that I realised that there was no facility to print out the boarding passes.

You can only imagine our unbounded joy when we arrived in Manchester and they informed me that I'd have to pay £40 for four boarding passes.

As a result of this, I bought a printer for our guest computer, so that this wouldn't happen to any of our customers.

For your information, we also have a pair of scales which we can lend out to pre-weigh your bags.

*Whilst dining last night, I realised that those of you of sound mind with a mild dose of logic would realise what a lot of nonsense that line is. I'd like to say that I was just testing your alertness but I'm afraid I must be just a bit thick.

We Battle The Dreaded Lhergy - Cripperty That Is

Blog followers of an astute nature may have noticed that I do a fair bit of walking, mainly for competition but also recreationally.

However, I am currently on my annual training break, so having discovered last Christmas that with my advancing years (46th birthday the other week) that I am no longer immune to gaining weight, alternatives are being sought to ensure that when I return to full activity, I needn't spend too much effort shedding the pounds.

My daily cooked breakfast was the first casualty but now I'm also trying only to use the car when absolutely necessary.

The first action to be undertaken was to rescue my bicycle and Terence's from the darkest recesses of our little shed where they both lay untended and uncared for with flat tyres.

That's my major problem with cycling: I hate maintenance and something as serious as a puncture usually just means the end. Customarily, it's can't fix, won't fix but on this occasion, drastic measures were called for and between the two of us (unfortunately no.2 son is a chip off the old block,) we eventually got fully inflated and ready for action.

A week last Monday after school, we headed off along the Heritage Track ( The old railway line to Peel) and up the Lhergy Cripperty. I wasn't certain how my lad would cope with such a climb having had a month off sport with a back injury but as he disappeared off into the distance, it was Dad (wrote Ded, now that's a Freudian slip if there ever was one) who was left wondering whether the bloody hill would ever end!

And so after approximately 20 minutes, we arrived at Chibannagh Plantation, for my first ever proper attempt at mountain biking. It was a good job that we were the only riders up there because as I crept down the slopes, I had visions of six year old children whizzing past me.

Still, it was great fun and by the time we arrived home, we were both black with mud from head to toe!

This ageing thing isn't much fun and over the past year or so, Terence has walloped his old fella at surfing, swimming, running and now cycling but a couple of nights later, I did discover that I can still beat him at squash.

Life in the old dog yet!

Anyway, throughout the winter there's still lots of activities that you can get up to both indoor and outdoor, organised or just for fun and apart from a couple of weeks over Christmas, we're open all year round.

Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant One Hour Challenge

Sporting event sponsorship continued Sunday 9th October with the seventh time that we have supported the 'One Hour Challenge' which is a novice race walk which Manx Harriers use to try and draw new people into taking up the discipline.

Indeed, it is only two years ago that Alex Eaton competed in it, his first ever event and now he is a twice English Schools winner and UK national champion and at 15 years of age led the field covering 11,636m in the sixty minutes.

Alex Eaton & Sally Walker
However, Michelle Turner was the 'Novice' winner maintaining a very stylish technique, a great credit to herself and coach, Steve Partington whose training sessions (Monday 1800 outside Ramsey Swimming Pool) are yielding some fine technicians. It would be even better to see some more juniors attend in the North or at the N.S.C.* where Elizabeth Corran runs junior coaching at 1700 on the same evening. *Track fees apply

The leading male was Noel Ash and it was great to see a total field of 40+ taking part.

The 'Experts' class was a very exciting race with the younger man & Peter Kaneen swapping the lead a few times. Eventually, youth prevailed as Alex pulled away over the final third.

Michelle Turner & Alex Ash with 2005 winner, me ;-)
Jock Waddington was able to overhaul Adam Cowin for third, the latter man struggling to hold his brisk early pace.

Three women were able to pass the 10,000m with the appropriately named, Sally Walker leading the way, 93m and 102m metres ahead of Sue Moore & Marie Jackson respectively. With Sue returning from almost a year out because of injury, Marie not quite at her best and the rapid improvement of Northern Athletic Club's Michelle Turner, the coming Winter Walking League promises great interest.

It was also excellent to see 15 junior athletes there, so lets hope it bodes well for the future.

Welbeck Hotel Newsagents Golf Society Golf Day

Winner Chris Wolfendale

Yesterday 27 hardy souls braved the cold north westerly wind and showers to play in the competiton we sponsored at Castletown Golf Course.

My dad's old chum, Roberts Saunders, a regular Sunday Lunch visitor suggested that it would be a great idea for us to support their event, so pictured are the prizewinners, though unnfortunately, third place, Peter Holt was unable to join us for the presentation at the Welbeck.


2nd Place:Keith Barnard

Great Games!

Jonathon Kiplimo Sawe, Vincent Kiprotich Mutai & Robbie Farnham Rose 1st, 2nd & 3rd
1500m

I do seem to have avoided pneumonia despite the weather since my last post.

One of the problems with blogging, unless you're like my chum, Murray from www.manxathletics.com, a man burning his candle at both ends and the middle who writes a great blog, updates his websites, trains every day as well as upholding his commitments as a husband and father, it's difficult to transpose the feeling of the moment at the time everything's happening because you're so busy. By the time all the dust has settled and a spare five minutes appears, the impact is lost.

However, I will try nonetheless.

The Commonwealth Youth Games, despite the best attempts of the Manx weather (though on this occasion, we'll blame the Americans for sending us their hurricane) to sabotage everything was a great success, terrific to be involved with and provided us great reason to be very proud of our Island and its people.

The atmosphere was brilliant and it was superb to have the best young sportsmen and women from 67 countries all competing here.

Our particular involvement which you will probably understand if you have read earlier blogs was with athletics and while some of my time was spent inside the Call Room with the athletes waiting to compete, I was lucky enough to be able to witness some spectacular performances.

Although it has to be said that not every event had a great depth of standard, the calibre of some of them was stellar, almost literally in the case of South African Javelin thrower, Morne Moolman who must have grazed the stars when he landed his weapon 81.53m against the considerable wind which I have on reasonably good authority is further than anyone in the world has thrown this year in his age group.

The Kenyan team were staying at the Welbeck and the winner of the 800m, Timothy Kitum ran 1:49 in a howling gale, to finish ahead of world record holder Leonard Kirwa Kosencha who would have finished the silver medal position in the Daegu World Championships had he run his personal best time.

Tosha the CYG mascot with Kit Carriers

Our Hotel also had the u17 World Champion Steeplechaser, Nora Tannui staying with us who managed gold in that race and bronze in the 3,000m but wanted more then anything to have an orange volunteer shirt.

Medal Ceromony for 2,000m Steeplechase Gold: Nora Tannui(Kenya); Silver: Nancy Cheptegei (Uganda); Bronze: Lilian Chemweno (Kenya)

I'm sure that Jonathon Kiplimo Sawe who won 1500m will also be a world star in the future but the whole Championships were about more than the winners and it was great to also have the smaller teams from Anguilla, Grenada, British Virgin Islands and the Falklands with us who were competing at probably the highest standard possible for their nations.
BVI team members
Friendships were forged and team uniforms and badges were exchanged and this combined with the gales provided one of the funniest stories: The fast craft services had to be cancelled on the proposed day of departure but fortunatley, there had been advanced warning that his was likely to happen and some countries made their escape early. One of the biggest teams was Australia and the fact that they had told the organisers that they would not be travelling by sea meant that they thought they just about had capacity on the Ben-my-Chree for everyone to be accommodated.

So when one of the Committee saw a girl walking up in an Aussie tracksuit, she nearly had kittens because she thought they'd been unable to travel and had now turned up at the boat.

She frantically questioned the young lady in question, wondering what would possibly happen but on receiving only a couple of words of pigeon english in response, realised that she had merely swapped clothes with an antipodean friend!

Kenya Team Managaer, Jimi Chacha with young Harry

Commonwealth Youth Games

Well I certainly hope that our teams will be more impressed by the warmth of welcome given by the Manx people than they are with the dreadful weather, we are currently experiencing.

We can only hope that the forecast improves as it must be so frustrating for all the people who have worked so hard and so long to make the Games happen to have the elements knock the gloss off the everything.

Many of the athletes are arriving be sea and unfortunately are probably the colour of it but tomorrow is the day of the grand opening ceremony and competition starts seriously on Friday.

It will be an odd experience for us at the Welbeck because despite being packed to the rafters, in an effort to provide a 'Village Experience,' all their meals are being provided by one of the larger hotels, so finding customers for restaurant and bar could be difficult.

Therefore, Irene & I have volunteered to help with the athletics and will escort the runners, jumpers and throwers to their events.

Currently, we are wondering how many jumpers to wear underneath our official uniform! Oh joy.

It is no help at all and it must be pretty awful for the organisers of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, too as yet another day is washed out but at least they get to run it every year.

I'll try and bring you some of the colour and excitement of the CYG in a later post should I avoid pneumonia.

Neil Kent R.I.P.

Neil pictured after winning the 2010 MGP Lightweight Trophy and in 2009 racing)

I'm sorry to have to inform you that Neil Kent, who had been staying at the Welbeck since the 1980s was tragically killed in Practice in an accident at Greeba Bridge last night.

Neil won last year's lightweight race and was one of the most popular riders in the Paddock, a fact that was re-iterated when he received the 'Spirit of the Manx' award the other year in recognition of his willingness to help other riders, his continued support of the MGP over two decades, he would give up his time to marshal (usually at Hillberry) when not riding himself and basically being an all round top bloke.

It was ironic that he was still riding his beloved 250cc this year in the Junior, despite being prevented by the regulations from riding in the race where he would have been more competitive. Despite being on the podium so many times, Neil wasn't bothered about where he finished but just enjoyed improving his speed.

Condolences to Neil's mother, sister, uncle and stepson, Callum.

Although not married, Neil seemed always able to maintain friendships even after the break up of his relationships and he will be sorely missed by his many friends from around the World.

Our sympathy also goes out to the Trollope family who have been his sponsors and friends for many years now.

Neil first raced on the Island in 1986. He was very young, chubby and not so fast on the motorbike. However, with advice from his mentor, John Davies and help from the Padgett family, from whom he used to hire his machines, he improved greatly. Gone was the puppy fat as he realised that to compete successfully, being at peak fitness was imperative and then Dennis Trollope gave him a competitive bike and he became a man to be reckoned with at the sharp end of the race.

He was very grateful for the sponsorship and the input provided but Neil reciprocated and worked extremely hard for Dennis' family business at race meetings and always took the trouble to make sure his other backers received a mention on live radio.

I will probably update this post with some better pictures and more information. My apologies for any inaccuracies, especially with a view to Neil's relations because despite the longevity of our friendship and Neil even coming to our wedding, I have only ever met his late father, George and Uncle Jack to my knowledge.

Bring Your Mother-in-Law on Walkablog

I've had a whinge (albeit along with constructive criticism attached,) I've gone all Jamie Oliver on you, I've blatantly advertised the Welbeck, I've turned rock groupie/critic, went all gaga about the twins, before trying to bludgeon a few pence out of you for charity and sailing the high seas but it's a while since I've done a 'Walkablog.'

Having had a tough week with racing the Isle of Man Marathon, The Foxdale 6 (miles that is) and a hard training session on Saturday morning, Sunday, awash with sunshine was time to walk for fun!

Even with all the cutbacks and being the Sabbath, the transport service on this Island remains excellent, so it was on the Peel bus we began our adventure. The original plan was to head along the coastal path down to Port Erin.

However, Peel Hill served as a timely reminder that enjoyment, rather than endurance was the order of the day and I didn't need much persuading that we should defer the 1400ft climb from Gob ny Ushtey at almost sea-level to the summit of Cronk-ny-Arrey-Laa .

The cliffs fall steeply to the rocks and sea below as you circumnavigate Corrin's Tower which isn't visible from the narrow track, so you probably would want to only try this one if you are reasonably agile and only take the kids if they are not likely to try escaping and are good with heights. Perhaps a good opportunity to lose the mother-in-law (fortunately, mine doesn't do interweb;-)

The revised route as such involved hugging the seaside until Glen Maye which is the Island's only natural canyon, I believe and then making our way inland to see the waterfall, before stopping to refuel at the pub, named after the main feature of the Glen.

Unbelievably, the whole way along the Raad ny Foillan, we didn't meet another soul!

Although this hostelry has had its ups and downs over the last few years, it seems to have had a revival under its present ownership. Sheltered from the breeze that had kept us from overheating on our outward journey, it's a lovely spot to relax while disappearing a steak sandwich and a hard earned couple of beers.

It was at this point I realised I hit upon a great subject for a blog but unfortunately, I'd already missed the spectacular cliffside and the waterfall and just my luck: the best of the sunshine.

Not particularly wanting to retrace our steps exactly, we headed off down the road back towards the beach, before once again rejoining the lower sea cliff.

A few years ago, on this very same stretch of path, we came across a basking shark only a 20 metres below us. However, it's been a poor year for sightings of the great fish (the second biggest in the world after the whale shark) but there were plenty of birds to make up for our disappointment.

On this occasion, we followed the Bayr ny Skeddan route diverting inland rather than ascending Peel Hill. Judging from the way everywhere was so overgrown, I think it's a while since anyone else had followed the same track which finally emerged on the outskirts of the City at The Raggatt.

It's great name for what was once a former tip but now has been landscaped to form a park before joining the old railway line which runs alongside the River Nebb all the way into the harbour.

Apart from supporting Bus Vannin, not bringing the car also enabled us to once again sit outside the pub, this time the Peveril to catch the last of the sunrays, while watching the pleasure boat traffic entering or leaving the port.

A fabulous day and much recommended. Some of the walk is quite hard going and rough underfoot but it took us about one and a half hours to get there about 70 minutes for the return. Don't forget to take your mother-in-law and you could bring her back as well!

My Seat is Reserved!

As you can see (I hope) from the tickets displayed above, I recently booked a 'Sail & Rail' from Douglas to Shipley return.

Or did I?

Because despite the fact that both tickets quite clearly state 'Seat Reserved,' when I arrived at the Sea Terminal, the man at Steam Packet check-in told me that as I hadn't contacted them, no seat had been reserved.

Ah ha! 'Why then does it say 'Seat Reserved' on it then?' I thrust home.

Epee totally blunted, 'We've asked them not to do that but they still do.'

'Can you get me on then?'

'No problem today but if you do it again in the future, please contact us first.'

All's well that ends well then. Or was it?

'How about the return journey, I am coming back 14:15 on Monday and need to be on that ferry?'

'Sorry but that's fully booked, you'll have to come through Liverpool.'

'But all my rail tickets are to Heysham!'

'Sorry, sir but there's a queue behind you and I haven't the time for this now.'

Time to hit the roof! There again, he was right about the queue and with the Mananan sailing at snail's pace anyway, perhaps this wasn't the occasion to harass an employee, delay the boat and have half the World and his dog blame it all on me.

I really did need to be on that return sailing, having promised to take my boss out for a meal and then to see Morrissey in return for her allowing me to race the Bradford 35k, so after an uncomfortable couple of hours wondering how I should go about things, I asked the purser to check availability on the Monday.

Although they were unable to reserve me a place, they could tell me that there were actually seven seats left before the it was completely full* and when I arrived in Liverpool I was able to secure my return trip.

Needless to say, I have written to both IOMSPCo and Raileasy with whom I made the booking because although it all turned out for me, what if I hadn't been prepared to take 'No' for an answer? What if the next time it happens, it is to a new visitor to the Island or to someone whose reason to travel is more serious than being scared of his wife?

Surely, a carrier and an agent must be able to communicate better or devise a better system than that?

Anyway, meanwhile, you'd probably be better booking it all through the Steam Packet (I hadn't realised that I could) but if you do go through an agent, make sure that your boat passage is confirmed.

*It didn't look completely full to me. There were at least seven seats just in the bar!

It Was A Bit Hot, So I Got Out Of The Kitchen

I must apologise for this being my first 'Blog' in August but this month started in busy fashion, particularly for me.

Yes, dredging depths not previously encountered in at least six years, I had to search the memory and remember how to cook!

It must be admitted that I found it more than a little scary at first, as I gazed around the Kitchen wondering what to do next but gradually, things started to return, primarily finding some sort of routine, re-establishing the timing and eventually rediscovering a little creativity.

Probably my favourite new dish that I came up with was the chicken in breadcrumbs filled with Manx Chilli Cheddar & garlic of which I sold every one the same day they were prepared. The last time I cooked, I don't think that particular cheese was even on the market and I also tried another one of IOM Creameries even newer products, the Druidale with Cranberries, mixed with some toasted pinenuts as a stuffing for a similar pork creation. That one didn't fly out through the Restaurant quite so quickly but I enjoy experimenting and those that tried it seemed to enjoy it.

12 to 15 hour days are something that I try to avoid but with having to keep everything else I do afloat, for eight days they became the norm. Extremely hard work, yet enjoyable as it was, I wasn't too sorry to see the Chef back home and re-introduce myself to the family.

Blondie - A Bombshell at the Villa

The quality of performers that we have had playing locally has improved immensely over the last few years and over the last 13 months or so, I personally have seen Spandau Ballet, The Feeling, Calvin Harris, Jools Holland with both Alison Moyet and Mark Almond, Imelda May, Elton John and last night Blondie.

Although the very first album I bought was 'Parallel Lines' which I believe was their second album, I really wasn't sure what to expect because that was 33 years ago and rumour had it that the reviews of the current tour had been mixed to say the least.

When the chum for whom I bought tickets dreamed wistfully, of staring at the stage and remembering his unrequited love of yesteryear, I brought him, back to earth somewhat harshly by reminding him that the object of our teenage lust had been in her thirties the first around but it has to be said that Debbie Harry did look remarkably well for a lady reputedly in her mid sixties.

In honesty, I had been more worried about the voice, especially as she eschewed backing singers, used by Roger Daltry to help him reach the high notes at the Peel Bay Festival in 2007. Obviously, it wasn't quite as strong and clean as it was in the seventies and eighties but she was still able to give what I thought was a very creditable performance.

The night began with a few old favourites, before the band moved on to some of their newer material in the middle section and then wound the Royal Hall up for the big crescendo. The musicians themselves were excellent, with Debbie Harry's main collaborator, Chris Stein still present as well as Clem Burke, the original drummer. They have been joined by an extremely good guitarist, Tommy Kessler, keyboard player, Matt Katz-Bohen and their bassist since 1997, Leigh Fox.

The best performers tend to make their audience believe that this night is special to them while DH informed us that the Triskellion t-shirt wearing Chris Stein had been to the Island 40 years previously and though it was her first visit that they'd enjoyed playing the tourist earlier in the day.

They didn't quite play all the tunes that I'd have like to have heard, understandably for the likes of album track 11:55 but less so their first hit from Parallel Lines, 'Picture This' and I don't particularly like the way that all bands tend to drag out their encore songs for ages when others remain unplayed but these were minor gripes about what I felt was a superlative evening's entertainment.

If they are coming anywhere near you, make sure you don't miss them.

Sponsored Scbubies

After yesterday's blatant advertisement blog regarding our intention to hold The Welbeck 2011 prices into 2012 (okay I know I'm at it again,) today we're back to the Parish Walk.

Our team, walking comprising Jane Foster, the second lady, Niamh Goddard, the famous Bacchas hockey player(well famous to anyone who's been listening to Manx Radio for the last decade and maybe more anyway) Irene and me on behalf of the Neo Natal unit at Nobles hospital was very close to the head of the field in 5th place and the first mixed team (though it has to be mentioned that the overall winners were the all girl,'Are We There Yet?)

Yesterday, Irene, Lucy, Harry and I attended S.C.B.U., meeting, Manager, Paul McCann to hand over the money raised by our half of the team and it gives me great pleasure to announce that with huge thanks to our customers, staff and friends, we raised £490.00and added another few bob from the Hotel, to bring the total to £550.00.


N.B. Jane & Niamh did far better than us and raised £300 and £415 respectively. Well done to them!
Jane is photographed here.


Below is the link to Lucy's e-mail which Stu Peter's read out on his Talking Heads programme regarding 'Home Birth' and in particular her experience of her time in Jane Crookall. It is the last item on the show, about five minutes from the
http://www.manxradio.com/audiovault/HeadsFRI-1.mp3 (Sorry I can't work out the proper linky dufer, so you'll have to copy and paste.

No Price Increase for 2012

After much boardroom debate (ok more like a chat with the wife, Irene over a cup of coffee,) we have decided to hold our 2011 prices for 2012 with the exception of TT which is still very reasonable and we forgot to increase last year.

The modern way would seem to be to inflate your tariffs to an incredible level and then throw in 'Huge Discounts!' so everyone feels like they've snagged an 'Amazing bargain!'

Indeed on a recent episode of Alan Sugar's 'Apprentice,' one of the hopeful teams was admonished for paying the 'Rate Card' for an advertisement, 'Nobody pays the 'Rate Card.' Well what's the point in having one then!

At the Welbeck, we feel that our rooms are priced to sell but we have decided to forgo the annual rise in the face of increasing costs in seemingly all areas of our business in the hope of remaining buoyant in these ever more difficult economic days.

It is essential to re-invest as we always have since my Mum & Dad bought the Welbeck in 1978, so fingers crossed that we have made a decision that will enable us to sustain this policy.

And there ends the political broadcast for the Welbeck Revolutionary Conservative Party

I Haven't Learnt My Own Lesson Yet!

Apart from the fact that the Island is a different country, with different culture and even a different language albeit not so widely spoken these days, one of the most difficult concepts for our visitors to wrap their heads around is Isle of Man weather.

The paragraph above was written by me on 6th April this year.

On Sunday morning, despite the good weather forecast not quite coming to fruition in Douglas, I performed my 'Granddad Duties' by taking young Harry for a walk in his pram as we were struggling to get him to settle, having been overnight babysitters.

It worked a treat and he was soon well away, dreaming of food as usual, judging by his constant suckling even in his sleep. As I wandered along North Quay, I reckoned Granddad deserved a treat, having risen for the morning feed on my day off and I stopped off at MASH, the café run by Jock Waddington's Parish Walk support maestro, Dave Dentith, intending to sit and watch the world go by over a coffee.

Unfortunately, I'd been beaten to the draw by my old chum, Gary Blackburn and his family and before I'd even had chance to obtain my drink, Harry had noticed the lack of motion and was announcing to the world that his evil grandfather had stopped pushing him and abandoned him on the pavement (within my view, I hasten to add, as I know Lucy reads my blogs.)

The trouble with North Quay these days and also the Promenade is that they're too smooth and hence not conducive to soothing a screaming baby, so it wasn't until I hit the flagstones underneath the Villa Colonnade that I was able to calm Harry again.

Well, that was the morning gone but we were looking forward to a lovely afternoon in the sunshine, in the south of the Island and perhaps would try the new facilities at Bradda Glen. We were all dressed up (clean shorts and tee-shirt rather than best bib and tucker) when the unheralded drizzle that had been falling gently for the last half an hour or so turn into proper rain. We looked at each other with draining enthusiasm, when all of a sudden the heavens deposited a job lot of stair rods.

That did it for us and we did an about face, Irene back to her ironing and I to catch up on some writing I should have already done whilst keeping a beady eye on the Tour de France (though it wasn't a day for our Manx Missile,) whilst simultaneously juggling Silverstone and the cricket with the TV bat.

I think it was a little bit of payback for the schadenfreude that I'd felt on Senior Race Day when for once it was pouring down in Ramsey (our friends in the north are forever boasting about their superior weather, so I'd felt entitled to that) and we had lovely sunshine.

Anyway, you've probably guessed by now that while the precipitation plus was absolutely bouncing in Douglas, just down the road past the Quarterbridge and indeed throughout the rest of the Isle of Man, they were basking under that big yellow thing and if they are all to be believed (I'm convinced it is all a big practical joke involving the whole population, just to make me feel paranoid) it hardly rained anywhere but here.

In my next blog, I'll explain how to win the Parish Walk. Or perhaps that's another of my own lessons, I've yet to learn?

What a Clown!

(Picture thanks to Murray Lambden)

Sorry about the latest 'Blog Break' I we had a little bit of a hectic time ahead of the Scottish Widows Parish Walk , which to the uninitiated amongst you is the small matter of a friendly walking race around the seventeen parishes of the Island. A total of 1756 hardy souls entered the 85 mile stroll this year (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_Walk.)

So the lack of words in this particular internet address afterwards was in some way due to my disappointment of once again falling short of my ambition of winning it, this time by an even bigger distance than usual.

However, Irene did particularly well to soldier on for 75 miles despite not having trained since before the birth of our grandson, over two months earlier and I did eventually finish the race in 125th place. Therefore, I think that along with Jane Foster who was second placed lady and Niamh Goddard, our team, Scbubies raised a decent total in aid of the Neo Natal Unit at Nobles Hospital but I'll confirm all that after we've totted everything up.

Also staying at the Hotel were Dave Fereday, who broke the over 70s record and Ollie Browne who was using the event for a warm up for the 100 miles race which he competed in last weekend. Unfortunately, he didn't quite manage to complete that one but hopefully, he'll be back next year for another crack here.

Quite a lot of people have been wondering what happened to me and why was I not up there contesting the higher placings. To be truthful, I am not quite sure. Despite my training and preparation all proceeding to plan and feeling hugely confident that I could break my Parish duck, I started to fade at Colby only about 16 or 17 miles in. Although I'd been flying up the hills in training, I had no strength in my legs on the ascent up Ballakillowey and struggled there on in.

At the bottom of Glen Rushen, a sniper shot me in both hamstrings. I felt that was a little unfair of them if my competitors were reduced to taking such actions.

However, close inspection revealed no blood and I realised for the first time in a race, my muscles had just cramped. Luckily, the spirit of the Parish shone through and Richard Spencely's back-up and a lady whose identity I'm not sure of produced some diorhalyte and after a little effing and jeffing (thanks and apologies to those who were present) I was back on the road, albeit in an ever increasingly distant 5th place.

With the encouragement of my dentist and one man support team, Nigel Armstrong, I carried on through Peel but increasingly found it difficult to maintain my technique and it wasn't long before I was also passed by Robbie Callister and by the time I'd reached Kirk Michael, I'd really had enough.

The crew in fancy dress at the Mitre Hotel gave me a huge amount of stick when I stopped to make a phone call to Irene to ask whether she wanted me to wait for her but they were having loads of fun. My instinct was to join them but Nigel persuaded me to carry on to Ballaugh. The legs were certainly not performing well but the brain was still intact and I realised that the pub in the aforementioned village wasn't on the course and I insisted that Nigel drove me back to Michael.

So there I stopped and had a pint with the appropriately dressed clowns. I felt that I was in the right company, having dropped out of the sharp end of the race. Then I had a sleep in the back of the car until Irene caught me up.

Well done for their amazing performances to Jock Waddington, Vinny Lynch, Richard Gerrard and Richard Spencely and also to all the other finishers.

I'll finish the rest of the lap in a later post.

Two Eltons in the Tent are Worth One in the Bush

Thursday 16th June saw Elton John visit the Isle of Man for the first time with a tremendous gig up in Nobles Park in the tent originally earmarked for the Bay Festival

Sometimes when older superstars play, there are so many backing artists and gizmos that you actually wonder whether the original performer is still in there but this was just Elton and his piano. No place to hide but he certainly didn't need anywhere because in 2 hours and 45 minutes he took us through his 41 years in the spotlight with breaks only to take applause and the occasional sip of water.



Although I am no expert on art of piano, it seemed to me to be a consumate performance, using his full repertoire and the vocals remain strong if deeper than in years gone by.

As with most of the crowd, I couldn't quite believe who had come to sing for us and we certainly let Elton know that we appreciated his presence.

I had it on good authority from a police source that there was to be no encore but having taken his bow and spent time signing many autographs, he returned to the grand for one last tune.

The other 7,999 fans will join me I'm sure in apologising for the delay to the Airport staff who had kept open Ronaldsway especially so that he could leave that night and also the dude who will have to rebuild the park wall which my chum Murray Lambden assures me was knocked down to allow Sir Elton swift egress rather than to allow access for pitching the marquee.



It was a truly magical evening but certainly, one is left wondering whether we will see the like again after the spectacular implosion of the Bay Festival.

Can it be worth importing such facilities as the tent, the bars and all the event staff for one night only and were they able to make it still pay or were the promoters, Marshall Arts, just limiting the damages to their pockets and reputations?

Personally, Irene and I were among many who having failed to procure tickets on the morning they went on sale, went for the hospitality option. As the day of the concert loomed and we still weren't in possession of our tickets, we began to doubt that we would be going at all, especially when we learned that they had been sold to Jonathon Irving's outfit.

It was somewhat disappointing that the package that we had bought for a staggering £234 each including having paid V.A.T. twice on the £100 seats had been slashed to just being two glasses of bubbly and a cheap buffet.

That having been said, there was a really good harpist and vocalist playing beforehand in the sunshine, some entertainment afterwards and not such a long queue for the loo.

All considered, if we had travelled anywhere in the UK to watch such a brilliant performance, we'd have had flights, hotels and meals to buy as well as the tickets and we had superb vantage point, so Reg Dwight really did save the day.

I really can't imagine where my friends get the idea that I'm a bit of a hog of the limelight but of course, as soon as we left the arena, we were accosted by a lady from 3FM interviewing concertgoers and the aforementioned Mr Lambden was on hand to record the occasion and has since published it on his blog at www.manxathletics.com

Top Rider Performs at The Welbeck but No Parade Lap

2011 has I think been a generally very enjoyable festival, though liberally sprinkled with tragedy, challenging weather, occasional controversy but let's face it, it wouldn't TT without all the above.

As usual, staying at the Hotel, we had a vast array of differing characters and the very diversity of the race fan is one of the most interesting features.

This year, brought over on a wave of their strong currency and because of increased coverage due to the excellent North One television programmes and the sheer magnetism of stars such as Guy Martin, there has been a plethora of Aussies on the Island, including four times TT winner, Barry Smith.

Barry won the ultra lightweight 50cc race in 1968 and was world champion in the Formula 3 TT Class in 1979 anmd 1981. He also won three Grand Prix races and was 3rd in the 50cc world championships in 1968 & 1969.



Luckily for us, this year he has brought his wife and friends along with him this time round and although he was disappointed not to be given a ride in the parade lap, he still appears to have enjoyed himself.

A Winning Debut for Jerome

Ref Earlier blog, Jerome Caprice from Mauritius duly won the Isle of Man 10,000m Track Walk Championship on Wednesday.

He led from the gun and was well clear of the field, winning by over 3 minutes in 46:42, quick enough to qualify for the Indian Ocean Games in Seychelles.

Jerome's next race will be the Dublin Grand Prix 26th June and it would be great to see him back on the Island at some stage in the future.




Readers with a delicate disposition are not recommended look at the picture below. Thanks to Kerry Mackey for the pictures above and no thanks for the one that follows as your bloggers TT lifestyle catches up with him:-(

Magnificent Imelda More Appropriate for May, September or Anytime but TT

Tuesday 7th at Villa Marina saw Imelda May visit the Island for the first time, supported by the excellent Stone Chase.

I don't know much about the technical aspect of playing double bass but the I would have paid the entrance fee just to see the performance by Stone Chase's Johnny G and their set was most enjoyable.
They play a great mix of music and my thoughts that I recognised the singer were correct, as when I googled the band, it turned out that Matt James, is a regular on the Gaiety stage.

Imelda May's high energy style, illuminated by her booming vocals was superb, though despite her enthusiasm also showed a deft touch with her slower numbers and her professionalism.

She began by relating how she owed her existence to the Isle of Man and indeed the Royal Hall in which we were standing. Apparently, during a holiday to the Island, her father went to ask a girl to dance but was rejected. Rather than risk running the gauntlet of his friends taking the mickey out of him, instead walking back across the dance floor, he asked the next young lady and fifty three years later, they are still together.

Personally, I was surprised how many hits I recognised and also that most songs were either composed by herself or guitarist Darryl and in contrast to her mostly upbeat numbers the song, Kentish Town was hauntingly beautiful.

She displayed great generosity, especially as they'd gone down so well even taking an encore, by also asking us to applaud Stone Chase and to make sure we supported our local bands.

Imelda dedicated the concert to Derek Brien, the rider tragically killed on Monday, whose family she had met on her journey to the Island and the far from packed crowd certainly received their money's worth.

That said, one must wonder who on earth books the bands for the TT Festival? It may be that the motorcycling fraternity are notoriously difficult to please because the are linked not by music but by two wheels, however surely the person in charge should at least do a little research to what will work and what probably won't.

As I stated earlier, I have a little sympathy but my own conversations with visitors and locals alike revealed that despite being able to fill stadia in Ireland, her appearances on Jules Holland and quite good radio airplay, not that many people had actually even heard of her. So when that is combined with the fact that during the races there are hundreds of alternatives, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that this was never going to be a great financial success.

It can't really be that hard if local band, DC/AC can fill the place doing a tribute act.

Likewise, Pigeon Detectives. I really hope I'm wrong but I have no idea what this band play and I haven't talked to too many that even know any of their tunes, so I don't really expect tonight to be fully subscribed either.

I just hope it hasn't put Imelda May or her prospective promoters off because she was really sensational and I'd watch her again tomorrow!

Antigua in the Morning, Bushy's Tent in the Afternoon

Irene booked us on to a tall ship on Sunday morning and despite having to rush to escape breakfast at work, it was an enjoyable, leisurely drive along the Old Castletown Road to Port St. Mary and you'd hardly have known that the TT was here.


There was a decent breeze and I had visions of us flying across the water like a modern day Cutty Sark but they only actually used the fore sail and the top sail, so it was more of a relaxing cruise instead of what I'd envisaged yet none the worse for it.


The crew was a mixture of dutch and germans, the ship itself, The Antigua, being a converted whaler from the Netherlands and they encouraged the passengers to assist with ropes. Of course, I had a go but being a 10 stone racewalker wasn't exactly ideal and while the burly biker with the belly from Whitby was able to pull the sails aloft, I nearly ended up there with them.



The Manx weather was at its best and the sail along the coast down past The Chasms, Spanish Head, the Stack, through the passage between Chicken Rock Lighthouse and the Calf and then the return steam through the Sound showed the Island at its finest.


On our return, we collected the new grandson from Bushy's Tent, resisting the 'Take one, get another free' offer and went for a walk around the Quay and along the Promenade.

A brilliant day, though sadly followed by Monday which was beset by computer and plumbing problems, not to mention the sad death of another competitor and a visiting biker that really undid the 'feelgood' factor created by our 'Less than Mad Sunday.' But that's another 'blog' for another day;-)

Isle of Deals - Leaping into the Unknown with Zoe Gillings

What reward do imagine was bestowed by UK sports on Zoe Gillings, the Manx girl who is now the most successful snow sports athlete of all time from the British Isles?

You would probably think that making the Olympic final in Vancouver, 2010 in the snowboard cross but having to retire through injury would have granted her the right to compete at the highest level (pun not intended but there all the same) until at least the 2014 event.

Well, looking at some of the 'also rans' who might not even progress the heats in London 2012, you would think that but incredibly, they withdrew her lottery funding.


Did Zoe throw the toys out of the pram and tell them where to stick their money? Well possibly, I don't know her well enough to have asked but she has responded by setting up her own company with a view to supporting herself.

In this economic climate, there's no such thing as easy money and it's a brave decision to go into business but the concept is that companies give really good offers for their goods or services and 'Isle of Deals' markets them, through their database. This reaches a sector which hopefully hasn't used them before or for a while and of course it's a loyalty 'sweetener' for any regular clientele that pick up on the price cut.

As athletes, albeit far lesser ones, my wife and I were keen to assist, though I was slightly sceptical as to how successful it would be. However, with no initial outlay, what could we lose? The 60 two course weekday lunches that we offered at 49% of their normal price sold out within a day!

So help Zoe to Russia in 2014 by clicking www.IsleofDeals.com or contact her manager, d.brier@isleofdeals.com become one of the businesses that Zoe's hoping to promote. Alternatively, if you have any spare cash that you would like to invest in such a fine role model who through this adversity seems to have shown not a scrap of self pity, you can buy into various different sponsorship packages, contact dan@zoegillings.com

Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant TT 10,000m

Sorry I've left it so long since my last blog but we've had an extremely busy May, both professionally and personally. At least now, we can relax and enjoy the TT;-)

Welcome to all our TT visitors, both regular and new. Lets hope for great weather and close, safe racing.

Manx Harriers will be offering both walkers and runners the rare opportunity of recording a track 10,000m time.
The events will be held on Wednesday June 8th at the N.S.C. track and are sponsored by the Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant.
The walk will start at 6.15pm - signing on trackside at 6.pm and there will also be supplementary walks at shorter distances for other competitors held in conjunction with the 10,000m.
Jerome Caprice (pictured) from Mauritius will be toeing the line on his first visit to the Island. National Champion at 30k, 35k and 50k, he needs to replicate his performance in Holland earlier this year of 46:02 on the track to qualify for the Indian Ocean Games in Seychelles in August. Studying in Ireland, he is coached by regular Island visitor, Michael Lane and his ultimate goal is to compete in the 2012 London Olympics at 50k for which he will need to build on his excellent current form to achieve 4 hours 15 minutes.

Welcome to The Chapel Society

Today sees the arrival of The Chapel Society who seem to have been successful with prayers for good weather this weekend.

More good news for them is that they have secured the services of the reputed 'Blue Badge Guide,' Frank Cowin who I'm sure will utilise his usual expertise to give them a superb weekend.

Look Away Now If You Don't Want To See The Score...Or Baby Photos Bore You.

Incredibly, little Harry is one whole week and half a day old and now back past his 'born' weight and the current score is 3lb 14oz! That's 1.76kg to any continental or younger blogophiles. He is very small but seems to be strong and he grows bigger by the day. Granddad was even allowed a cuddle Sunday when he escaped the incubator for afternoon tea.



Mummy Lucy has been discharged from hospital and is coping very well but it isn't easy as she is in a constant cycle of expressing milk and visiting the 'Special Care Baby Unit' to feed him.


As Harry was born seven weeks prematurely, this will be the way for the foreseeable future, though we are very lucky that it's only five minutes drive/cycle from home to Nobles.

Christopher's funeral will be this week but it will be a private service and though Lucy doesn't want any flowers sending, she greatly appreciates all the sympathy and messages of support that she's being given.