I took an Avanti train from Euston to Lancaster, connecting to another train to Heysham Port on the morning of Tuesday 12
th. Good journey with a easy-going young man for company sitting opposite me! Was met by a taxi at 13.30 and taken to my hotel, the Royal Heysham. A good room but no heating to start with. No telephone either, so waited until I went down to dinner to find out how to heat the room! I was in need of a large ‘glass’ or two at dinner.
On Wednesday I spent the morning in my room, and eventually took a taxi to Heysham Port ferry where I met up with a nice couple and two grown up sons. Spent my time on the ferry across to Douglas talking to them. On arrival at the Claremont Hotel found I had a dreadful room, but was eventually moved to a very nice room with a good view of the beach. Had a good dinner on a table with three other guests and the tour manager.
On Thursday we took the MER [Manx Electric Railway] to Laxey and then on the Snaefell Railway to the Snaefell summit, which was a very cold and windy walk! After a hot chocolate, took the Snaefell train back to Laxey. Should have looked at the Laxey Wheel but it was all scaffolded up. So I walked down to Laxey Harbour and back [a good hour’s walk!]. After yet another hot chocolate, I took the afternoon train back to Douglas and then walked the mile or so back to the hotel!
On Friday, we were bussed to Tynwald Hill where we visited St John’s Church and heard how the IoM parliament works. From there we were taken to Peel where I visited the House of Manannan Museum, Peel Castle and Peel Cathedral. We were then driven to Ramsay where we took the Manx Electric Railway back to Douglas, and once again I walked the last mile or so back to our hotel.
On Saturday we took the Steam Train from Douglas to Port Erin, where I walked around the little town, and visited the local church and the beach, before being driven on to see the Calf of Man. After the Calf we were driven to Castletown where I did a tour of Rushen Castle, and we then visited the original House of Keys and were given a talk on how parliamentary affairs used to work in the Isle of Man. I then joined the small group who took the Steam Train back to Douglas [the others returned by coach], and we walked back to the hotel from the station.
On Easter Day I took the Manx Electric Railway back to Laxey to see the small Wheel – Lady Evelyn’s Wheel - which I missed on Thursday. On the way back my train caught fire – smoke coming out of one of the seats, so we all got off and got on the next one! A bit of an excitement!! Walked up to see St Ninian’s Church but sadly, even on Easter Day, it was locked up. We had a farewell dinner in the hotel, and an earlyish night as we had to be up for breakfast at 6.30 and leave for the ferry at 7.30am. Had a smooth ferry to Heysham Port where I spent the night at The Royal – it was not the best of places to sleep but at least I had somewhere to put my head down until the train to Euston on Tuesday afternoon. I then had an enjoyable journey from Lancaster to London with a delightful couple, plus plenty of wine with a light lunch.
On Saturday we took the Steam Train from Douglas to Port Erin, where I walked around the little town, and visited the local church and the beach, before being driven on to see the Calf of Man. After the Calf we were driven to Castletown where I did a tour of Rushen Castle, and we then visited the original House of Keys and were given a talk on how parliamentary affairs used to work in the Isle of Man. I then joined the small group who took the Steam Train back to Douglas [the others returned by coach], and we walked back to the hotel from the station.
