A very enjoyable trip to the Isle of Man.

 

 

 

 

 

This was our first visit to the Isle of Man - and I do hope that it won't be our last. What a lovely island to visit. Our trip was with Majestic coach tours and our main reason for going was to see and familiarise ourselves with the TT race course. Motor cycling takes over the Island for 2 weeks every year.

Many famous names are linked with the island. Norman Wisdom had a house here, as did Nigel Mansell. Jeremy Clarkson owns a  lighthouse home, with a section of coast. Mollie Sugden lived here and Russell Grant, as did Ronnie Ronalde - who remembers him? (He could really whistle!)  The Bee Gees were all born on the Island. I have to mention Mark Cavendish as well of course!

The Island is self governing and the current rate of income tax is 10%  - 20%  and no corporate tax. Quite a good reason to reside on the Isle of Man!

Our trip started at the Moto Services, Exeter on a Sunday. We met the coach at 8.15 hrs. and after several stops we arrived at Blackpool for our overnight stop.

                       Blackpool sea front.   No swimmers!

                       A deserted Blackpool promenade!

After breakfast, we travelled to Heysham to catch the ferry to the Isle of Man.

We were lucky to sail on the fast catamaran ferry  'the Mannaman' 
This ferry takes 2 hours, whilst the larger ferry, (the Ben-my-Chree)  takes nearly 4 hours!


We stayed at the Rutland Hotel in Douglas. The quiet end of the promenade - but the furthest from the shopping area!

                    One way of travelling to the shops!

   Our train ride to Castletown

 

A view of  the square from the Castle Rushen, at Castletown

A Manx cat. There are 2 types. A stumpy and a rumpy tailed cat. Nearly everyone on our coach took a photo of this one!

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       Another tourist attraction. An untouched, remote farmstead. 

                            Many Seals on the Calf of Man

       Friends from the coach trip, with the Calf of Man in the background.

       The Laxey Wheel. Nearly everyone climbed to the top!

 Waiting for the Snaefell mountain railway train. The railway took just 7 months to complete, and runs for a total of 4 miles to the top of the highest mountain on the island, Snaefell at 2,036 ft.

Pointing to the Lake District. On a clear day you can see Scotland, Ireland and England. Scotland is the nearest land to the Isle of Man.

The electric train.

       The Bungalow. Just below Snaefell. A frequently mentioned place for the TT races, and I would think a very good place to view the races!

 The Parliament House in Douglas. Locally named 'The WeddingCake'

                 Home from home! There is even a Costa on the island.

           Preparing the Grandstand ready for the TT  races.
              

 

 The Timing Boards opposite the Grandstand.  Manually operated
by the local Scouts, as 100 years ago.   But not by the same Scouts!

 

Tynwald Church, Located in the village of St John, near Peel, in the mid-west part of the island. A place of great historical interest.  

 

               Inside the Church, our coach trippers sat on the pews, where members of the House of Keys hold court each year on the 5th of July.                    

View of Douglas - taken from Douglas Hill. Very Nice!

 

 

John - our guide for 3 days on the island tours. Both he and Andy, our coach driver, were as good as they come. The fellow coach travellers were all very pleasant - hence, I think that our trip to the Isle of Man has been one of our most enjoyable and interesting short breaks with Majestic Holidays.

 

Have a good day.