So THEORETICALLY this was my last full day, with the ferry back to Liverpool tomorrow afternoon (the Tuesday) So much for theory……
It was very,very windy overnight Sunday. To illustrate the wind strength, it woke me up, despite the fact that I’m almost completely deaf in one ear and had taken out my deaf aid from the other. It was reported locally that gusts in excess of 50 mph were recorded. Such was the strength of the wind (despite me again using my car as a potential wind break on the windward side of the tent) that the fiberglass poles were bending INWARDS as much as 200/300 mm. Subsequent inspection of all the poles at home showed that AT LEAST 4 pole sections had broken,some pole section ends were starting to split and further damage to the main door zip.
Before venturing out anywhere, I packed up the new porch and other furniture stuff, so that if it rained during the day I’d only end up with one lot of wet “canvas” not two. Just as that was done, it started to rain. Storm Helene was REALLY getting back into its stride. My tent repair job seemed sufficient, I thought, to see me through at least one more night anyway. I was, however, getting a bit worried about the ferry back on Tuesday, as there were beginning to be warnings of potential cancellations, especially for the catamaran to Liverpool.
Pressing on, I went to Tynwald Hill, which was the site for the first IOM parliament. The Tynwald still meets here once a year, a grand ceremonial occasion. Following a good lunch at Green’s Restaurant (warm and dry !) John’s, I scarpered back to Ramsey.
The wind was increasing again. I decided at around 5 PM to cut and run. As a result of the damage, the tent was in danger of blowing away an/or destroying itself. It’s the first time I’ve had to abandon in 60 on/off years of camping experience.
Also, it looked more and more likely that travelling back to the mainland was getting trickier by the hour. Plan A was to find a B + B somewhere in Douglas and see what vessels were running on the Tuesday morning. However, approaching the Sea Terminal, I saw the Ben My Chree RoRo ferry was still there, so instantly changed to “go home now” mode. Rushing into the offices to change tickets, etc from Liverpool to Heysham (the sailing had officially closed) I was literally the last on board. The sailing had been held up for a couple of minutes while I got the paperwork changed. Talk about last minute. Thank you the IOM Steam Packet Company for your understanding and assistance.
Subsequently, I found out that sailings on the Tuesday were somewhat curtailed and on Wednesday NOTHING sailed. According to local input, it has to be REALLY, REALLY bad for the RO-RO ferry not to sail. The catamaran to Liverpool is a bit more “delicate”. A narrow escape methinks.
So arriving in Heysham at 2330-ish, a bed for the night had to be found. Trying to find a Travelodge (or similar) in Lancaster was not easy, as they are doing major roadworks at night on the inner ring road – not what you want when tired and grumpy. I eventually found it, but after midnight. Unfortunately, they have a policy of not allowing check-in after midnight. Great ! Luckily I found a small hotel not far away – having been round the ring road many, many times. Thank you the Royal Kings Arms Hotel for taking me in at 1 in the morning.
Tuesday was easy – just got up later in the morning and drove home……..
So there we are. An eventful week, in all respects, some great scenery and plenty of things to see. I shall be back. Where have I heard that before ?????