There now follows three days of trains……..well, sort of !
Weather forecasting in the IOM must be a worrisome task, seeing as it’s plonked right in the middle of the Irish Sea. So looking out of the tent first thing is not necessarily a guarantee of what’s in store for the rest of the day. Somewhere along the line, I’d lost the use of the complete offside light cluster on the car. Quick trip to the one and only Skoda Dealer in Douglas fixed that, the cure including a new bulb set and a bit of fiddling with the control software (apparently ). Believe me, you need all your road lights working at night, it really does get very dark. Not much light pollution on the IOM, that’s for sure.
The IOM Government do a travel card (GO EXPLORE) which allows you unlimited travel on the scheduled buses and trains (including the horse tram) throughout the island on consecutive days. I bought a 3 day one and then prayed to the weather Gods.
Walked from the Sea Terminal Tourist Office all the way up the promenade to the start of the Manx Electric Railway, running from Douglas to Ramsey. Seeing as though the weather was improving ( still a bit dull and overcast, but dry), I elected to go in the “toast rack” trailer – open to the elements. Incorrect decision !!! The railway track hugs the coast for a fair proportion of its length and the wind was blowing a gale. Thank goodness there was a half way stop at Laxey (the Snaefell Mountain Railway starts from here).
Naturally my journey was not without incident…….. At Laxey, a Ford Transit coach had collided on the level crossing with a returning Snaefell tram – police, ambulance, etc, etc. Some old duffer driving the Transit, I think……. Crazy really, as there are enough signs, flashing lights, etc, etc, to warn road users what’s happening. Thank goodness nobody was hurt, only pride and a Transit dented.
I returned to Douglas in the much warmer comfort of the main tram – not the toast rack !!!!! Finished my journey with the Then slower plodding progress of the horse tram back along the promenade. Very nice though.
The afternoon (with the sun now out – good !) was spent at what is probably the most well-known major attraction in the IOM, the Laxey Wheel. Certainly lived up to its reputation – size wise at least. Wasn’t pumping much, as it was somewhat windy, plus there were “leaves in the aqueduct” that prevented a decent water flow. Certainly from close up, it’s a beast ! Climbing right up to the top provided a panoramic view, all the way down to Laxey Harbour, built to export the lead, etc, mined further up the valley. The climb up the spiral staircase is not for the faint hearted – steep and narrow – and seemed worse on the way down. Worth it though, for the view.
My walk down through Laxey village to the harbour later was rewarded with a quick cuppa and a toasted teacake at the one and only cafe.