Trains and boats and ..

no planes today except for our friend H and her sister D heading off this morning to London for the Royal Garden Party and ending up in the queue next to Just Sally and her party!

Much sunnier and warmer day today but still very blowy. We walked the full length of Douglas Promenade ( a mile long) and watched the fast track craft (catamaran) arriving from Liverpool.

We then caught the Electric Train to Ramsey in the north east of the island. I have been on this before several times but not all the way as previously I have either got off to walk in one of the glens or transferred to the tram that goes up to the summit of Snaefell, the island's highest mountain.

When we arrived in Ramsey we found a cafe overlooking the fishing boats in the harbour and had a wonderful local crab sandwich.

On our return to Douglas the Ben My Chree ferry was just arriving from Heysham, we shall be catching that home tomorrow.

Here you can see some of the Manx scenery from the train between Douglas and Laxey. Most of the way the view was blue sea and pastures surrounded by yellow gorse, but I liked this view showing the rolling hills dotted with houses. The sheep you can see (just) are Manx Loghton sheep, unique to the island and sporting 4 horns!

There are many things here that are different, including it's electric railways and trams (see today's extra) and they all help to make the island a special experience.