A steamy sort of day in more ways then one.

They weren't wrong! Rain and strong winds were predicted and that is exactly what we got! To say we got a bit damp was an understatement. In fact we got drenched right down to the unmentionables.
Set out from the hotel in the dry, got to Douglas station in the dry, boarded the steam train in the dry, got to our destination at Castletown and alighted in almost horizontal rain! A ten minute walk to the town center and not an inch of us was dry! First stop find the castle and get under cover. Then found out it didnt open till 11am so made a dash for the bus shelter where we stayed for the next 15 minutes. When we did get into the castle and the warm Ians glasses misted up and the steam rose from our coats. Still we spent a very pleasent 2 hours looking round and by the time we left most of our clothing had dried.

In the latrine

Very misty and wet view from the castle walls

Another one of those thunder boxes

Kitchens

After partaking of coffee and scone at the bowling green cafe, we then made our way to the Nautical Museum to view an 18th Century yacht Peggy, housed in a basement. No photos as she as squeezed into an almost impossible small space and so couldn't get the right angle. The owner then bricked her in and built over the top thereby increasing the size of his own residence. Only a few photos to show of this museum.

Net making machine

Biscuit making machine

The return journey to Castletown station was equally as wet as when we arrived 5 hours before. This time instead of horizontal rain it just fell straight down in torrents. So very glad when we returned to our hotel and could get warm. With the radiators full drying the clothes, it wasn't long before our bedroom was all steamed up and felt like a sauna. You could say its been quite a steamy sort of day! Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Just showers and sunny spells so not planning to take the brolly. 

Waiting for the train back at Castletown Station.

A very wet Dennis and Margaret

Trip up Snaefell and Lady Isabella

Gosh, we have been lucky with the weather. So much for the prediction of high winds and torrential rain. Even last night on our way to the Rovers Return (not the one in Coronation Street, obviously) the rain held off and for the first time I tried a real ale beer. Okay it was a Lager but one of the Island's brew and very enjoyable it was too. This morning we took the Electric train to Laxey Mines and then the Snaefell mountain railway to the summit. Views were spectacular, but oh the wind! Talk about bad hair day. You'll see what I mean in one of the photos at the end of this post. After spending half an hour being nearly blown away, we piled back onto the train and headed back to Laxey. From there a 15-minute walk took us to Lady Isabella a huge waterwheel and one of the biggest in the world. We eventually returned to the hotel just in time for another cracking meal. Tomorrow is a question mark as to what we will do 'cause this time we are assured that high winds and rain is definitely coming across the Isle with the possibility of local flooding. Could be an interesting post tomorrow.

The shore at night.

Refuge all lit up

The Gadabouts on the Electric train

Snaefell railway

On the way up to the summit. The TT race comes this way

One of the Locals!

Island Reservoir

At the summit

See what I mean about bad hair day. Me with Dennis & Margaret (Nb Icing).

Tha'r be sheep on the line.

Not quite sure what John Baylis is trying to say!!!!

Carole and Mick Gold on top of Lady Isabella

Laxey Mine

 A few of the Island Wildlife

Isle of Man day 2

The plan for last night was to go find a real ale pub. Only trouble with that idea was the torrential rain that very nearly scuppered the plan. So after a great help yourself carvery in the hotel restaurant we were all resigned to entertaining ourselves. Then a vocalist appeared out of the blue and kept everyone dancing and singing for hours. Some of the men (Ian included) still wanted the real ale so decided to brave the weather and go hunting for the pub. After a great entertaining evening I departed to bed and await Ians return. It was well after 11pm when I heard him trying to creep into the room and failing miserably. Think I startled him when I said 'and what time do you call this!!'.
Trying to sleep last night was nie on impossible due to the herd of elephants stomping around on the floor above. Then when it did go quiet the Chinese restaurant next to the hotel started with their deliveries and then to top that we suddenly became aware of a very bad smell (like blocked drains) permeating throughout the room (no it wasn't Ian or me) which really was very unpleasant. So first thing this morning we had a word with the receptionist and asked for the drains to be looked at. Sure enough on our return from the trip to Peel (more later) the room had a lovely fresh smell about it so keeping fingers crossed we have no more smelly sleepless nights. Cant guarantee the elephants though!!

So the trip to Peel took all of 30 minuets.  The Island only measures 13 miles across it's width and is near as dam it, 35 miles long so nowhere will take any length of time. After a drizzly start the sun came out in time to welcome us to Peels town center. Loads to do at Peel and not enough time to do it all so we plumped for the House of Manannan the Islands Celtic, Viking and maritime heritage museum and a tour round Peel castle. Time went to quick but we managed to see most of our chosen attractions. So now for the photos,

Peel Harbour

Viking Ship

And they carried the exhibit to the outside.

Sail maker

Gutting and then smoking the Kippers

Peel Castle

Sea wall in the center

Michael, Dennis, Heather, May, Margaret, Dave and Ian just appearing in the picture