Diary of the Manx
2005 Trip
Friday John F., Mike
S., Bernard, Alan, Andrew, Paul G., Mog, Gerry,
Paul C. and I (Brian P.) left for the Isle. Paul C. and I left in the afternoon
and took the overnight ferry. The rest
of the group left early in the morning to stop over Friday night in Blackpool, which was
about 230 miles. Bernard was a little
apprehensive about the journey on his Tiger 100 but, like the rest of us, he
made it.
Saturday Paul C. and I
arrived at the hotel on the front at Douglas early in the
morning and the rest of the crowd arrived at 5ish in the
afternoon. Paul and I had organised an
evening meal at the hotel so that they could all relax after the long
journey.
Sunday As there was no
racing today we had a trip round part of the island circuit and then in the
afternoon we watched part of the two day trial at the Quarry. As the competitors were taking the easy
route, I found a good viewing spot, which, until a braver competitor decided
to try the more difficult route, turned out to be right in the middle of the
more difficult route. Needless to say I had to move quickly – by diving into
the bushes. Not a pretty sight.
Monday Mike S.
suggested and took us to the Bradden Bridge for a good
day’s racing. At the end of the racing
we decided to have lunch at the Gold Club at Port St Mary. On the way there you have to cross the Fairy Bridge. As newcomers to the island Andrew, Bernard
and Alan were advised to wave to the Fairies to bring luck – not the type of
fairies many of you are thinking of. Had good meal, finishing with a delicious homemade sherry trifle.
Tuesday Another day of leisure. Went to Laxey Wheel.
Those who had not toured the Wheel before had a trip round it whilst
the rest of us had coffee and cakes at the quaint station. We then got the train - as the MSL do - to
the museum at the top and confirmed Yogi’s views that we are all pansies. We finished the day by going to Castletown to view the VMCC bike meet.
Wednesday Mike S. took us
to the Grandstand to watch the racing.
After the first race the rains came down and the Junior TT was
postponed until the next day. Alan ordered a polo shirt from the embroidery
shop – with MSL on it
(thought he was a member of the Surrey Branch). In the evening
Paul C. remained in the bar whilst the rest of us went to the Pavilion in Douglas to watch the
presentation of trophies from the previous day’s racing. At the presentation there was a call for
volunteers to marshal so Mog and Gerry volunteered
their services. We returned to the
hotel where, on opening the outside door, we could hear the dulcet voice of
Cooper ringing in our ears. Most of us
thought the best plan of action was to retire to bed but some of us made the
mistake of entering the bar. There
were ten small bottles of red wine lined up on the bar – all empty. We believe Paul had decided that he had had
enough when he fell off of the barstool.
Thursday Mog and Gerry had an early start to go to marshal at Glen
Trammen.
During the course of the racing they had to call the medical
helicopter at least once to help injured riders. The rest of us went to the Gooseneck to
watch the Junior TT. In the afternoon
we all met at the Ramsey Sprint where Ned Smiley was officiating. Alan and Andrew decided to try a hand at
sprinting. After several runs Andrew
recorded a credible 72.6 miles per hour and Alan 69.7 miles per hour over a
1/8th-mile sprint. Later in
the afternoon we watched the VMCC concurs.
In the evening we went to the Waterfall Pub at Glen Mere for the
Triumph Owners’ meeting. We had a nice
meal there and Mog was networking with Fred and
Sylvia Hall.
Friday Andrew decided to do an
early lap of the TT course and left the hotel at 7.00am with Paul G. in
tow, luckily. Three
quarters of the way round the mountain circuit Paul noticed flames that
appeared to be coming out of Andrew’s a**. He managed to overtake and stop him. On inspection they found that the wiring
under the seat was completely burnt out.
They left the bike there and I picked it up later in the day in my van
– just as well I am a white van man! Mog and Gerry went back to Glen Trammen
again to do another stint at marshalling while Mike S. took us up to the
Bungalow to watch the racing. Alan
left us this morning as he had double booked himself. He was expected at the Isle of Wight rally that
evening, which he achieved – well done Alan – where he won a Best in Show
award.
Saturday Early start for
everybody except Paul and I. They left about 5.00am with Andrew on my BSA Lightening. As Paul and I
were not getting the ferry until Sunday afternoon we spent a pleasant couple
of days touring round the Isle – which is a very beautiful place.
A
good time was had by all.
We
would like to thank John F. for organising the trip beforehand – ferry, hotel
etc and Mike S. for being a tour guide and Gerry for the entertainment value
– but that’s another story.
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