Douglas Prom tonight

Private tram ride

Our friends left us last night still enthusing about our heritage railways. We decided to go for a tram ride ourselves as we always take them for granted. I planned to watch the races and then we would take the 15.10 from Douglas via Laxey to Snaefell. With the postponement of the races Snaefell was out of the question. "Laxey will do then" said Marie. "Oh no" I said. "we'll  not get a seat on the return. Let's go as far as Dhoon Glen and have some  tea and cake."

The 14.40 departed with a few empty seats - well all but two as we had the tram, including the trailer where we sat, to ourselves. After some refreshments and a walk through the wonderful new arboretum across the road we returned to Douglas - completely on our own once again as far as Laxey.

A few of the sights from a lovely day out are shown above. We didn't stop thinking about the suffering of the people injured in the terrible accident but we did feel much better for getting away.

That sick feeling

I watched the first lap of the TT from the end of Cronkbourne Road at the bottom of Bray Hill, just a few hundred yards from our house. Even with a stool to stand on I could see very little. I left to walk through the back lanes to Lancaster Road and during the time I was walking there was an accident on Bray Hill which has caused serious injuries to a spectator.

As I was leaving Cronkbourne Road, I met some neighbours who are very much involved in athletics and the last thing I did was cross my fingers and say I hope the race could be completed safely. I have called on them and there is no answer at their house at the moment.

The course tonight

I had an incredibly privileged position from which to watch the Red Arrows tonight from where our course went along the prom as warm up for Sam Webbs and O'Donnells. ITV4 TT coverage superb. Not going to try and compete.

Top spot

I enjoyed the most relaxing of TT Race Days for many a year yesterday thanks to our friends allowing us to watch from Ago's leap on Quarter Bridge Road. Lots of people passed through the garden to the next door vantage point including former Formula 1 driver and TV commentator Martin Brundle (top photo).

Lots of people took to the air as the passed the garden at 150 mph including Bruce Anstey (middle photo) and the great thing about the TT is that you can you meet the stars afterwards as one of our house guests did in the pits later.

We were dragged along screaming to the Woodie for the second night in a row. The websites had another rest.

Not focused on the job

Yesterday was one of those rare days when I don't think I updated a single website or blog. I took Robbie to watch the race on Bray Hill but when he became unsettled by the delays and decided to go home, I headed out to Marown Church for the first half of the race. I took a few photos but there were blurred.

Our friends arrived in the late afternoon and I was forced to show them where the nearest pub was. I have the day off work today and hope to do one of two website things but I have lost the focus.

Camera run

I took my camera around Douglas whilst on an easy run this morning to try and capture the spirit of the TT.

Full collection here:

http://isleofman.in/ttrun