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.