Granddad Steaming Again!

Unfortunately the weather over last Friday and Saturday caused the cancellation of the Senior TT Race for only the second time in its history (the first was due to the 'Foot and Mouth' outbreak in 2001 when the whole programme was cancelled.)

Despite this and the dreadful week meteorologically speaking, the telephone and e-mail systems are virtually overloaded with enquiries for 2013. Sorry but we are already fully booked.

Of course, on Sunday when it was too late, it was lovely and sunny, so we decided to take our first journey of the year on the Steam Train, accompanied by our Happy.

Douglas Steam Railway Station is situated about a mile and a half from the Hotel. There is a free car park, a bus that connects it to the Manx Electric Railway, running along the Promenade or by Horse Tram and a short walk.

As there was quite a stiff south westerly breeze, we made the decision to book a return to Castletown, rather than go all the way to Port Erin. The fare is £10 return per adult but children (with an adult) are free.

The route involves a climb from Douglas up to Port Soderick and views of the coastline, then the steeply sloping valley, having left the sometimes pretty but occasionally slightly more industrial environs of the town.

It takes about 35 minutes to Ballasalla, then about another 10 to our destination with the full journey taking about an hour and 15 minutes.



With the exception of when they decided to let off the steam when he was right next to the engine, Harry loved every minute of the trip, taking in the multitude of new sensations, sights and experiences as only babies can. Poulsom Park is located right next to Castletown Station and is very handy to take the kids to. Following Irene's play on the swings and my whizz down the slide, we headed off into the town itself.

It is somewhere that I always recommend to guests, particularly in wet weather. As the former seat of government, there is a wealth of attractions, including rather obviously as the name suggests, the excellently preserved castle, the old House of Keys which is particularly good if there is a crowd of you as you can indulge in a a debate as if you were the Island's politicians. My own favourite though is the 'The Peggy Story' which is the maritime museum set in the house of an old smuggler whose invention and gadgets are still as amazing all this time later.

After having drinks and an ice cream at the Bowling Club, on the way back, Happy fell asleep on the train and Granddad struggled to stay awake as well.

www.castletown.org.im/

www.iomguide.com/steamrailway.php

No Sharks, No Punishment

Sorry bloggophiles but I seemed to hit writer's block during May and didn't manage any posts whatsoever.

Firstly a belated welcome to all our TT visitors who are now thronging the famous Mountain Course and giving Douglas and the outlying towns a look that few of our guests from the other 11 & 1/2 months would recognise.

Apart from our biker friends, the other thing that we have not welcomed back so readily is the viciously unpredictable weather which gave us brief respite the previous two weeks.

Luckily, the best of it so far is appearing on race days, so all should be completed today despite another fatal accident delaying the start to proceedings by over 3 hours.

Tomorrow's forecast is unfortunately once again rather dire.

A week last Sunday could not have been more different and on a lovely hot day, we decided to combine a little Parish Walk road walk training with a more leisure friendly saunter along the old railway track from Crosby for the second half.

The nicest part of which is where the route meets the river Neb, just before reaching Peel where most of the photographs are taken. Our reward for this 19.5k (about 12 miles) trek was cold drinks outside the Peveril Hotel and a trip out on the Foillan Beg. Somebody should send me the parenting manual as our son, Terence joined us as a supposed punishment but thoroughly enjoyed his long walk, not to mention boat trip with a bit of fishing. Unfortunately, the basking sharks weren't out to play, though the beautiful scenery and the look upon our grandson, Happy's face were ample compensation. Please do not ring 'Childline' nor 'Age Concern' as my mother and he were not part of the route march from Douglas and met us out on the west coast.