Visiting the Information Centre

We have the best part of a week here before the races begin, so plenty of time to play the tourist.

After a good sleep in on Tuesday morning, we were off to explore. We have seen lots of the touristy places here on our previous visits, but there is still so much to see.

We thought we might go in to the Information Centre and get some information, as you do, but on the way decided to take a detour to Port Soderick.  This was once a little seaside resort, but is now derelict. 

Still nice to have a wander on the “Beach”.

Low tide always looks unappealing.

Who would think that the seaweed would be so interesting up close.

I had a look for sea glass and found a couple of tiny pieces.

Back on track, until we pulled up to enjoy the view along the coast.

Anyway, back on our original mission……..until our next detour.  This time to Douglas Head.  We’ve passed the turn off on countless occasions, but never turned in.  We went up a tiny lane, found a car park and went for a ramble.  It looks steep, but so do most places here.

Up we go.

The Camera Obscura is a tourist attraction from Victorian Times which was restored and reopened about 10 years ago.  Of course it was closed when we were up there.

Douglas Head light house was looking splendid.

Once you climb to the top of the headland there is a wonderful view back across the bay to Douglas.

We’re always intrigued by the lumps of concrete in the breakwater.

Here we are, two old fogeys looking out to sea.

We could sit here for ages soaking in this view.

It would  be a tough life living in these apartments, with fantastic views.

Anyway, we’d better keep on our way to the Information Centre, but not before stopping to take a snap of the Life Boat Shed.

And the little light house.

Actually, after all that walking it would be rather nice to grab a coffee.  Let’s park down on the Promenade.  Watch out for the tram.

I think we’d better go up to Marks and Spencers.  I’m hanging out for an Eccles Cake, or as Lou would say, a “Fly Cemetery”.  Remember to ask for no cream on the skim mocha.  A medium will be good.  Oh my goodness! Look at the size of that.  I must remember next time to ask for a small.

While we’re here, we might as well have a wander up the main street.

It’s always good to walk off morning tea along the Promenade.

Aren’t the gardens looking a picture.

There’s the refuge tower out in the bay.

Didn’t I see a lovely floral display around near the marina? Let’s go and have a look.

There’s a few dollars moored there.

Hey Mick, isn’t that one of your favourite cars parked over there?

OK, that’s the Sea Terminal just behind you, I suppose we’d better go over there and get some information brochures.

No photos. I forgot!

Are We There Yet?

Last Saturday we hopped up bright and early and headed off on another of our adventures. It was a lovely, crisp, frosty morning when we left home at 7.00am.

We went for a drive in a hire car – a bit flasher than the buzz box we booked, but we won’t complain.

To our first via point.

I did a bit of this.

Ready to go.

We then spent rather a long time in a couple of these.

There was a couple of hours in between flights to stretch our legs.

Once we finally returned to solid ground, we found a bus station for the next leg of our journey.

After a couple of hours wait, we hopped on this little beauty.

We flew over the countryside.

Over the cities.

Over the clouds.

And finally, we caught a glimpse of our destination.

Not quite there yet, just had to collect a final hire car.

At last, 40 hours after we left home, we had arrived.

So, where are we?  This might just give you a clue.

The three legs of Man.  Yes, we are back on the Isle of Man, this time for three weeks.  We have come over to watch some classic bikes racing.  A similar format to the TT, but apparently a totally different feel.  We’re really looking forward to it.

A Huge Job

This little pin cushion was supposed to be finished in March for Chooky’s Stitch-a-long.

That didn’t happen, but now it is finally all done.

A Road Trip

Last Saturday I hopped in the car nice and early and headed off on a little road trip. I just love travelling along this road in the early morning.  The mountains in the distance always look magical.

At home it was a horrible cold day, but by the time I had driven three hours to my destination, the weather was glorious.

Yes, I joined the girls at the delightful Plough Inn at Cassilis for a day of stitching, chatting and eating….. so much eating….a lovely homemade lunch and rather decadent cakes.

The weather was so nice that we ate our scrummy lunch out in the sunshine.

Here were are, me, Fiona, Julie (no blog), Lenore who has the patchwork shop at Merriwa (no blog), Susan, Lea and Raelee.

The old royal hotel opposite the cafe would have been a great destination for a bike ride, but sadly it has been closed for some years.

It wasn’t all about eating.  We were all very diligent, working away at our stitching…..and chatting……lots….

Now, I was a very slack blogger and didn’t take any other photos.  I was just too busy enjoying myself.  Pop over to the other girls’ blogs and you will see that we all had a fantastic day and were surprisingly productive. I hope to have my little project finished shortly, so will be able to share it then.

Thanks so much for having me join you.  With a bit of luck I may be able to join you again.

Winter Solstice Run

We try most years to get a group of friends together and go for a motorcycle ride on the Sunday closest to the shortest day of the year.  Why?  Because we can. You can go here to see where we went last year.

This year we had a great roll up – seven bikes and ten people, all from our Historic Car Club.

The ride was a “Mick’s Mystery Ride” – in other words, we weren’t sure where we would end up, or how we would get there.  Well, that’s not quite true, but it was flexible.

This was the sky as we left home – very black.

Looking east didn’t bode well.  Yes, that is rain on them there hills.  Just as well we were headed west, but being a mystery run, we would have changed our plans if we had originally planned to travel in that direction.

 

Get out of the way, cockies.

Once we mustered the troops we headed to Canowindra for a quick regroup.  We often stop here for a good look around, but we had further to travel this time.

Yes, you can tell you are headed west when you start to see silos in each village.

Our second stop was Eugowra for coffee.  This was decided while on the way, as we were travelling well and the weather was nice.  The shop on the left not only houses a nice cafe, there is also lots of gift ware and a designer clothing boutique.  All rather up market.  A good choice for a break.

Eugowra is currently being painted – with murals.  I was able to snap a few from the sidecar.

Of course, all country towns have to have a big, old pub.

We continued on our way, passing the occasional country church along the way.

Our lunch destination was the Albion Hotel at Grenfell.  While planning the day, we had contacted several pubs in the general area, but none were doing much in the way of a counter meal for Sunday lunch.  Well, the Albion was wonderful, as could be told by the number of people eating there.  No excuse for going home hungry.  By the way, that huge steak isn’t mine.

After lunch we just headed straight down the Mid Western Highway, through Cowra and Blayney to home.

We were quite prepared to get rained on during the ride – actually expecting it with all the weather reports, but by heading west we had good weather and the temperature got up to 15 degrees – balmy.

Just out of Mandurama we went through a tiny shower, not even enough to put on the wet weather gear.  We were so very lucky.

It was a great day out.  A couple of the bikes hadn’t been on one of our runs before and I think they enjoyed themselves.  We’ll have to see where we go next year.