We are a group of Yorkshire senior citizens who every year take time out and have a good time away from home.
This year, in late January / early February, we are staying in the Isle of Man. The accomodation is booked, we are staying at the Empress Hotel.
UPDATE: The scheduled sailing fom Heysham to Douglas has been cancelled. Ken has been busy arranging a nights accomodation at the art-deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe.
ABOUT US
Some of us have known each other from school days, even being at nursery together.
This year there are six of us. This number varies from year to year, it is usually between six and eight.
Trips away have mainly been in the UK, but we have also been to Ireland, Malta, Barcelona and San Sebastian. So, this years trip is continuing our recent trend of expeditions away from the British mainland. As I've already stated, some of us were at school together whilst others we have got to know through work or social gatherings.
Day 1
Arrived at the Midland hotel in Morecambe without any problems. The train journey went according to plan. Peter complained to the Guard on the Leeds train about it being cold. The Guard took my case and dragged me back into the carriage to confirm that it was warm in there.
We were too early to get into our rooms, so Peter, Eddie and myself walked into the town and back, checking out the Station Bar on the way back for the drinks situation.
We had a fantastic meal at the Midland Hotel, delivered promptly. I don't understand why the hotel only rates as good because the rooms are big and well equipped, the food is really good and the staff are very pleasant and helpful. The night was fished off in the Station Bar opposite the Midland.
Day 2
Ken and Richard the day with a good breakfast. Had some time to kill before we could catch the train to Heysham port. so walked to the end of the pier enjoying a rare clear sky and sunny day. Boarded the Manxman ferry with no problems although it was delayed departing for nearly an hour.
Ken and Richard ate a meal on the ferry so just drank while the rest of us had a meal in the Empress Hotel. Quite a walk to the hotel from the port, but we made. Too tired to go anywhere this evening, so stayed in the hotel where the rest of us had an evening meal.
Day 3
We had breakfast in the hotel, three had the traditional breakfast, the other three had the kippers and poached egg.
Later, we walked to the port terminal to purchase six 3-day bus passes. Using our passes we caught the No.3 bus to Ramsay. Quite a pleasant journey up the East Side of the Isle of Man. A light lunch was had in a cafe followed by a walk to the harbour. A bit too chilly to hang about, so caught the Douglas bus back. Three of us alighted at Laxey and walked to the Laxey Wheel. Two of us had been before, but still an impressive piece of engineering. There was a cafe near its entrance where we had coffee's. We just missed the bus we intended catching, the second bus failed to turn up, third time lucky we were on our way to Douglas. It was dammed cold walking back to the hotel from the city centre.
The evening meal was had in the hotel bar. Four if us had individual selections of tapas which were excellent. It was an enjoyable evening with background piano music. Ken and myself were the last to retire, as usual.
Day 4
Started the day with an excellent breakfast. Caught a bus outside the hotel to Port Erin. Walked along the harbour wall - bloody cold. We needed a drink after the walk which was duly accomplished. Caught the bus back to Douglas and tried to get information regarding ferry times. Returned to our hotel by bus.
Peter and myself made the decision to change the departure date to Sunday just in case the Monday sailing got cancelled. We therefore went to the terminal and did just that.
We met up with others, minus Richard, and caught the bus to Ramsay. We intended having a meal at the Mitre Hotel, but it wasn't doing food, so went across the road to a Thai restaurant. The food was good, but it was cold in there. After eating we returned to the Mitre Hotel to observe a folk jam session. By the time we returned to our own hotel the bar was shut.
Day 5
We all walked into the city centre but at different times and by different routes. We caught the bus to Peel where we initially walked around the harbour. Our thirst was quenched but at two different locations after our walk. Graham, Ken and Richard took the bus to Port Erin and went to the Calf of Man while Eddie, Peter and myself visited Peel cathedral and walked round the town. Eddie decided to take the Ramsay bus whilst Peter and myself caught the bus directly to Douglas. Peter and myself had a sandwich and tea in a sandwich bar on the way to the hotel.
Richard booked a table for us at the Little Fish Cafe on the North Quay for 7:45 pm. We were early, but it wasn't a problem, a table had been set for six people. We all had battered cod, chips and peas. It cost an arm and a leg, but was very nice. The 12.5% service charge wasn't a problem either, we asked them to remove it and gave them a tip we thought appropriate. The evening finished off at the hotel where Peter and myself had an early night.
Day 6
Because of the unpredictable weather, peter and myself decided to take todays ferry, which we caught after a pre-prepared continental breakfast in the hotel. The ferry departed slightly early and docked in Liverpool early, enabling us to catch the first available train to brighouse.
That left Eddie, Graham, Ken and Richard who after breakfast started packing. Later, Graham and Richard watched the Rugby on the TV. Eddie and myself walked to the Terminus to check out the menu. We gave way to temptation and sampled the beer. We intended to walk back to the hotel but phoned instead, sampling more beer. Richard and Graham then joined us. We stayed and had an excellent meal and more beer before returning to the hotel, then an early night.
Day 7
Walked to the ferry terminal after an early breakfast.
The ferry departed a few minutes early and arrived quite a lot early into Heysham. We got a taxi to the cafe across from the Midland hotel and an early train. Arriving home about two hours earlier than expected..