Everyone keeps asking me about the weather so I took a few photos on the same day in Douglas. First we woke up to this view over the Bay:
Later on the mist started to lift:
I sent this next picture in to the Reader’s Pics in the local paper but turns out they used it in a story about the weather in another paper. All this fame!
Later the temperature reached a whopping 14 degrees C, leading to people stripping off and sunbathing
Then evening
and finally a night shot
You may gather I love Douglas Bay – in all weather!
My new favourite bus trip, here’s the view from the Sunday only bus that goes over the Sloc to Port Erin:
I had vowed that once spring arrived I’d start doing some more of the rural walks. Unfortunately I injured my knee a few weeks ago and have been having physio treatment from a nice young Australian man who lives in Scotland, has a locum position here for a few months, and used to live in Rockingham Road, Hamilton Hill, just around the corner from my old house in Hampton Road! The silver lining has been that he’s giving me exercises that are helping strengthen both my knees so once the sore one is completely healed I’ll be able to walk more than ever.
My leg has been good enough to do a slow 3km walk to work each day this week. A lot of it is a very pretty walk:
The views from my office windows are pretty good too:
I also managed a walk halfway down Dhoon Glen, absolutely gorgeous and I’ll definitely go back for the rest when the old knee’s better
Every time I walk I seem to have surprise encounters or discover new quirks of the island. Here is a random selection of photos and comments, in no particular order:
This black cat befriended me and followed me for about 2 kilometres up a steep hill behind Laxey. I felt awful when it seemed to get too tired and sat down, when I went back down the same way it had disappeared.
At the top of the hill was an old stone house with a lovely 2CV parked outside. I took the photo specially for friends Mike and Ruth in Herefordshire, Mike collects similar cars – don’t ask how many he has!
I could also get glimpses of Snaefell Mountain as clouds came and went 
If you look carefully, you come across old ruins in many hidden places 
The next day I thought I’d finally got to Langness, not far from the airport, I’d tried to go last year but they were closing the roads for a car rally at the time – honestly, there are non-stop festivals almost every week. Turns out I went to the adjacent st Michael’s Isle instead, and still have Langness on my list of walks to do.
St Michael’s Chapel, a Celtic Norse chapel built in the 12th century
Close by is Deby Fort, built in the 17th century
On the wayback I had a taste of Langness with more ruins next to the golf course but will have to go back to explore further to the end of the peninsula
I could see Port St Mary through this archway