Jamesq

Beautiful Port Erin

Despite a good breeze the weather was superb for the Port Erin Soap Box Derby. Managed a respectable 5th or 6th in the end too not that that matters. It’s the taking part that counts.

Black Orchid Tank Crash

Black Orchid’s tank entry crashing into the barriers at the Port Erin Soap Box Derby.

Spectators at Soap Box Derby

It’s good to see events catch on outside the local area and today’s Port Erin Soap Box Derby was no exception. Amongst all the usual entries and a few new local ones, it was great to see a crew in from Ramsey riding a pink furry schlong.

It was pretty good weather for racing and there was a great turn out on the prom to watch. Even the camper van that offers Tarrot readings made it down. I’m always amazed that somebody that can tell the future has never won or earned enough money to buy a new camper van. Maybe it’s early days for them or perhaps they know something we don’t. Maybe it’s not all about money; and meeting new people and old friends is what its all about….

A summer’s day couldn’t get much better than yesterday. The sun was out (as my glowing face and red hands can prove this morning!) and I seemed to fit more in than I do in a normal week. Kayaking, barbecue, TT race, walk, Basking Sharks and a sunset. Continue reading

Got woken up yesterday at 6.20 by Watty who was waiting outside the door for a cup of coffee. Despite agreeing 7am he thought he’d give me a ring to see if I was up!! Made for a good start to the day and we were on our way down south to collect the climbing gear from Watty’s before heading to the Sound for a couple of routes above Aldrick Bay. Continue reading

As mentioned in the last post I’ve uploaded a number of photographs to The Stable at Glendown Farm Flickr account for Derek and Jane. These are mainly from the website at the minute but I’m sure more photos will be added over time. I’ve got a couple from last weekend when I took a walk up around the fields near to the farm and holiday accommodation where their sheep were lambing. We timed it just right to watch one sheep lamb and arrived just after another had given birth so Don and Kirst were made up. I’ll get these resized and added to the gallery.

I’ve been working on the Rowany Cottier Guest House website which has now gone live. John and Heather had loads of photographs of the Guest House and Port Erin area. I’ve known John for years and have seen a few of his slides of the Island before but it was really great to see some of the fantastic sunset shots from over Port Erin Bay and the shots down the coast towards the Calf of Man.Donna and I lived opposite Rowany Cottier for around 9 months before we went travelling and it really is a fantastic spot. The walks out around Bradda are a great way to chill out after a day in the office and give superb views over Port Erin Bay and in the summer months provide a great vantage point for watching the feeding Basking Sharks. Although all of John’s photographs of Port Erin and South of the Isle of Man haven’t made it to the website I’m sure we’ll be looking to add a gallery or set up a Flickr gallery for the remainder soon.

Watty suggested a night out on Saturday as Stone Chase were playing at the Falcon’s Nest Hotel in Port Erin. So a few of us thought it would be a cool plan to get together and head down south as we hadn’t caught up since the wedding.

So spoke to our man Stevie ‘Deadskunk’ Stock of the Roughboys and organised a few tickets. Hadn’t realised until we turned up that this was a proper organised event with everyone dressed up in 1920’s clobber with Steve on the door with his Tommy gun and trench coat. Certainly no arguments when it came to paying for the tickets, and what’s more, once in there was burgers and chips which came with the ticket.

Stone Chase were great to watch too when they came on and played their rockabilly blues. So rock on the Roughboys for a wicked night.

Had a bit of a lazy one today. Had nothing planned so just did a bit of shopping, posted of some bits I sold on eBay and did the Saturday big shop at Tesco. Spent the afternoon in front of the fire with hot chocolate watching The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller. Not quite Zoolander but a good film.

Off to watch Stone Chase at the Falcon’s Nest in Port Erin now so hopefully that will be good.

Took a trip down to The Stable Self Catering Accommodation in Port St Mary to see Derek and Jane at Glendown Farm last night. I’ve been working on their new website and wanted to talk through the final changes before the Farm website goes officially live. The Stable is a beautifully converted barn next to the farmhouse. When I had a walk round the conversion for the first time just over a year ago I was amazed at what they have done with what, when I lived there, had been a potato store. It’s roomy, light and has a fantastic open kitchen/dining room and plenty of space for families. It’s also ideally located between Port Erin and Port St Mary which I think has been one of the reason it fills up each year so quickly. Only two fields away from the Isle of Man Steam Railway too which always proves a popular attraction with visitors to the Island. It’s great to be working on the website and really looking forward to its official launch. Hopefully it will be a good help in spreading the word.