Saturday 14 April 2012

The Beautiful Isle of Man

I hope you will forgive me for being a holiday bore. I know it's totally off topic but I thought it would be interesting to share a few more pictures of the island and a bit of chatter as so often people don't really know where I'm talking about when I mention the Isle of Man (unless they follow the TT or grew up in Liverpool...or remember the Manx 'telecommunications entrepreneur' from The Apprentice).

The Isle of Man is a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea, roughly half way between Great Britain and Ireland. The 2006 census recorded it's population as 80,058 and although it is part of the British Isles, it isn't part of the United Kingdom and has it's own government. The island is 33 miles long and 13 miles wide (at the widest point), the highest point is the summit of Snaefell. There is an electric railway which runs to the top of Snaefell moutain. I didn't go up on this visit as it was too misty and also, I'm a big chicken so I can usually find any excuse to get out of it!

Laxey

IOM+Electric+Railway1

I'm not a terribly outdoorsy person but I tend to make and exception when it comes to the Island as there are many scenic walks. My husband took us on a walk through Dhoon Glen down to the beach on one particularly sunny day. I confess to being terrified at various points on the walk as it is a steep decent but it was worth it for the spectacular views along the way.

Dhoon Glen2

Dhoon Glen1

Dhoon Glen3

Although we didn't go on the mountain train on this visit, we did spend a lot of time on both the Electric and Steam Railways. There was a steam festival on over the Easter weekend which pleased my eldest son enormously as he's a quite the little trainspotter. To be honest, it's a nice way to enjoy the scenery even if you're not a train buff.

IOM+Steam+Railway

IOM+Electric+Railway2

IOM_+Castletown2

IOM+Steam+Railway2

Thank you for looking. I promise to be back with more makeup talk shortly.

17 comments:

  1. Wow, I'll probably never get to see it in person, so I love the pics! Truly a beautiful place!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures Brandi, we had some lovely sunny days.

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  2. I used to live there! So glad someone else appreciates it!

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  3. Gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing them. I've been intrigued by the Isle of Man for quite some time though I have no idea whether I'll ever make it there for a visit.

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    1. Thank Karen. I've been going since I was little as my Grandparents always had a house over there. It's a very quiet pace of live over there so I usually get to do some serious relaxing!

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  4. We went there last summer - not for the TT (hooray!) and I absolutely loved it. We'll be back, as Arnie might say :-)

    Ali x

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    1. Whereabouts did you stay Ali? I haven't been across during the TT for a very long time but I expect the boys will demand it sooner or later! x

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  5. Lovely photo's , have never been but I avidly watch the TT races being a bit of a motorbike racing fan! The waterfall and beach looks beautiful.

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    1. There are lots of pretty glens and waterfalls all over the island. You don't get to see much of it with the TT I suppose as everyone is whizzing around like the clappers!

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    2. This sounds like an ideal holiday place as we are a bit outdoorsy, although I know husband would insist on it being during the TT, and so not much sightseeing would be done!

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  6. oooooo I like the look of the Isle of Man....i love holidaying in the UK

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    1. IOM is a lovely place to visit. The only downside of holidaying at home (as they put it in the adverts) is the fact that it costs so much!

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  7. I've heard of the Isle of Man but never knew anything about it so thanks for this post. I love the look on your adorable son's face - that alone makes the holiday worthwhile.

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    1. Thanks Marcia, I think he was in seventh heaven with all of the trains! It was definitely worth the rough sea crossing to get there :)

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  8. My parents live there too for most of the year but I don't get across as often as I would like because of the expense of getting there. It used to be much easier to get over when we lived in Leeds too. Do you fly? x

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  9. Love the IOM - spent a few years holidaying at Port Erin when I was a kid - remember well the rough ferry crossing - I think I was the only one on the boat not being sick! (I'm lucky not to get travel-sick, not passed that on to the kids though - the two youngest get sick on the school run!!).

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