Going Home - Wednesday 13.6.12

Even though we left the Isle Of Man 3 days after the racing had ended and the vast majority of bikes had left, the home bound boat was still heaving with the likes of us.

A queue of bikes trickles onto the boat via the ramp outside and the hull of the ferry is already pretty much full.

WE'RE ON OUR WAY HOME.

Ayres Rock?- Tuesday 12.6.12

At last we managed get up to the very top of this tiny island.

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

We walked from the nature reserve to the lighthouse.

A serene land, sound and seascape studded with masses of MOSAIC PUFFBALLS and rare plants. 

Quite something.

Well worth a return visit.

: )

From Peel To Douglas To Peel - Saturday 2.6.12

We headed over to Douglas to ring the 

5 RINGS

to celebrate the arrival of the

OLYMPIC TORCH 

to the island.

I tagged along to see how it's done.

'You ready Bob?'

'You can see I am. Look at me ring your bell!'

Bethany dressed ready to carry the torch later in the day.

They made me have a go. I was terrified.

Then away like the clappers to

 see the torch.

Bobs new best friend.

Passing PURPLE HELMETS

The next torch bearer waits

as BOB moves in -

never misses a chance!

Then off to see the first races of the TT.

Dan Cooper - Stroud!

Another bike zips past,

and Bobbers is so bored that he turns MeWally into the 
GREEN MAN
: )

Peel Castle and Practice sessions - Thursday 31.5.12

Peel has a humongous castle.

Actually, it's more the size of the stone blocks they used to build it, than the castle that's humongous.

If I had been an invader, I'd go attack a more weedy bunch of castle builders. These guys must've been immense.

And so to watch the bikes. 

And I had another go at snapping the bikes as they practised. 

Very tricky!

Very, VERY TRICKY!


MeWally was clicking away too,

and he had more success than me.

I love the crispness of his lens,

even though it doesn't zoom -

he leaves that to the bikes.


All in all a rather enjoyable day.

Calf of Man - Wednesday 30.5.12

CALF OF MAN is the place to be, even though the weather's taken a turn for the GREY 

:(

Lowering.

Tea? Sea? Cake and eat it come to mind.

(The Calf and Kitterland Isle in front of it)

Harbour porpoise ...

and BABY!

More tea by the sea

How do we follow a day like this?

Go to the GAIETY THEATRE

Enjoy the architecture,

at times it was a little ramshackle,

but, generally, entertaining!

RICH HALL - funny!

Isle Of Man Pits n Practice - Tuesday 29.5.12

Douglas today - it's the name of a town....

and the home of the start finish line/pits.

After all that leg work we settle down to a bit of bike watching - practice sessions - again at Glen Helen.

Sorry, but this video's a repeat and can't be removed without a lot of fuss. Loving my new software - NOT!

Dan Cooper, from Stroud.