In the daylight next day, I found at least one visibly broken tent pole section and a subsequent rip in the flysheet, plus a non-functioning door zip. There was also an ominous looking bulge on the centre pole sections as well. Fun and games. Damage was worse than can be seen in the pix. I always carry a spare pole section or two. Duct tape to the rescue perhaps ? So the start of the day was a quick enroute trip to the one and only IOM B & Q (in Douglas), as the local Ramsey old-fashioned ironmongers (think of the Two Ronnies Four Candles TV sketch) “always open on a Sunday morning” wasn’t ! Some special family occasion I believe.
Target for the rest of the day was the other extreme end of the island to see the Calf of Man and Kitterland, with Ports St Mary and Erin thrown in. Peel in the afternoon.
It was certainly wild and wooly at the south western extremity, a complete contrast to the Point of Ayre. The car park was full, so I guess it was one of the main tourist destinations, with a cafe to match. Various memorials to shipwrecks, etc.
Onward to Port St Mary. A walk round, a bacon bap with coffee and then on to Port Erin. The good trades-people of Port Erin (and other local luminaries) had got together and produced a self-guided walking trail of the village, which proved to be useful. The place was starting to close down for the winter, but I was blessed with sunshine again, so altogether unexpectedly enjoyable. The beachside gardens were very interesting – all different. Surprising what you can do with a small space. I think I prefer Port Erin to Port St Mary.
On the way north to Peel, I encountered a few road diversions and many, many walkers. Apparently they were on an “End to End” charity walk down the West coast. This’d been started off by the mountain bike guys (going more cross-country) and then somehow expanded to walkers. I have to say some of the hills were challenging enough in a car let alone walking it all ! 39 miles overall, with the quick guys this year finishing in 7 hours – ish. I belive it was in aid of the Alzheimers charity this year.
Peel. That means the castle. It was getting to the end of the day and i was beginning to feel a bit “touristed out”, if you know what I mean. However, the castle cannot be overlooked (pun intended). To my surprise,I was able to use the self guiding audio thingie as they had a plug in induction loop facility, which worked with my hearing aid – bliss ! Well done Manx National Heritage.
Just to make my day, I came across a few Austin 7 cars, just like the one I used to own many, many years ago, when still at school. Great memories. I wish I’d still got mine now. It would be worth a rather large fortune.
Back to base for tent repair time. I can now tell you that Gorilla tape does NOT stick to fully re-prooofed siliconed polyester tent material…….just as well I’d got some superglue as well – that fixed the bugger !!!!
As you can see, it had been a gloriously sunny day. I was rewarded for my efforts by a beautiful sunset……aaaah !
