Royal Port Erin

... are in the Montrose/Arbroath/Carnoustie metropolis.

Why has Lou-Anne not updated from Munich? Maybe following Lucys advice about beer und soft men?

By the way, what is with the German men and their mullets. I haven't see hair that flamboyant since my brother in law pitched up at the Binnies wedding (circa early 90s) looking like a Bay City Rollers tribute band.

... to see the sun rise over the Irish Sea...but I think i would have appreciated the sleep more!

It was off the boat at Liverpool, where I had 3 1/2 hours to get to the bus station. It took me about 45 minutes to get there (including a stop for a cornish pasty for breakfast) but i was so knackered that I couldn't be ***** looking around, so I just killed the time in the bus station. 5 1/2 hours on the bus, then about 50 minutes on the tube and I was back home!

... me for a lap of the TT circuit...and in doing so made me realise how mad some of the riders really are! Most of the 37.73 miles of track were good condition roads, but there are some parts where there are some pretty hefty bumps...which felt pretty hefty at around 30mph, so who knows what it must feel like on a bike at race speed! Whilst there were some safety measures in place, like padding around some of the light poles, and the odd bank of hay bales, there are ...

... It was a historic race win for Michael Dunlop, who's uncle was the most successful IoM TT racer in history, and who's father is also a past winner.

Later in the afternoon I watched the start of the sidecar race from Quarterbridge, about a 20 minute walk from where I was staying. The race was cut short however, as on the opening lap one of the sidecars crashed on a pretty fast part of the track. At first it was a worrying time, as the race was red flagged, and it was some time ...

This morning I caught the bus to Ramsey, to watch the racing. The double decker went along a scenic drive, with some great views out over the coast, and through Laxey; home of the worlds largest functioning water wheel.

In Ramsey I made my way to Parliament Square...who's name was a tad confusing as I didn't see anything resembling parliament or a square...
The corner I watched the ...

Today it was over to the Isle of Man for the Tourist Trophy races, something which I've wanted to go to for a long time.

I began with an early-ish morning, then beginning the drive up to Heysham, a bit north of Liverpool, where I was to catch the Ferry. Mum and Nan were off to spend a few nights up north somewhere (which ended up being at Morecambe) and dropped me off at Heysham on ...

... a company based in Portugal which organise trips specifically for warm weather training for athletics, who said for information on 2010 bookings, check back in April. I have also e-mailed the Kenyan National Park in Nairobi inquiring about volunteer work, but I'm yet to hear back from them. Well thats all I've got so far, I'll update whenever something new happens, probably not much likely to be happening over the next few months though

... of her friends and family. I discovered that Manx people are extremely friendly - and quite as superstitious! Not only do all the regular superstitions apply, but you must also thank the ferries when you drive over their bridge, and whatever you do - never say the word 'r.a.t.'! Even writing it now is quite an offense (notice the periods). I learned this lesson the *********** Saturday night, when I blurted it out, thinking nothing of it, and everyone in the ...

... voyage tire sur sa fin! Le 14, retour a Glasgow pour que je reparte le 15 vers Ottawa. Etant donne que Zoom airlines a fait kaput, j'ai du me racheter un autre billet et c'etait le moins cher. Heureusement que mes parents se sont ennuyes assez pour accepter de venir me chercher a 2h30 de route. Merci:) Hamish ne revient que le 19 parce qu'il doit retourner chercher son passeport (si tout se passe bien il aura alors son visa de residence permanente).

This is just a quick entry to get me in the habit of keeping track of what were doing, and updating our travel blog. I know what I'm like, full of good intentions but a lazy sod when it comes down to it. Because Elly and I really want to keep in touch with everyone while were away, this is a really good way of doing that without having ...