On the Grid for race day!

Earlier I mentioned that we were treated to All Access Grid Passes....

Well, here it is!

It gave me the opportunity to be with the racers as they were getting ready to start AND to be on the starting line with them.  What a treat!

I have never raced, but I can imagine that getting your mind and body ready for it must take considerable stamina.  There are very few female racers, but Maria Costello has proven herself over many times.  I almost felt like I was intruding while I watched her stretch before heading to the start line.

 I snapped Michael Dunlop through a series of events during this race.

.....talking to his crew before getting to the starting line....

...and leaving pit lane, looking disappointed, when his bike broke down...

Not everyone had a bad race......and off they go....

Here is what it looks like live...

K was in his element - never did he ever think he would be rubbing shoulders with such brave riders. It was a teenage dream come true!

These 3 handsome fellas were relaxing before their start.  

Keep your eye on the one to the right!

Once the race got underway, we moved to pit lane to watch the racers come in for more fuel

 Once topped up, off they go.....

The culmination of a thrilling day was being close enough to snap all the winners along with the pros!

A well deserved hug

Remember # 2??

The Ramsey 'sprints' (drag racing) up next!

Beach Motocross & ATV races

We started our annual pilgrimage to the 'Isle of Man' from Toronto,

 with a hearty dinner (full of fat) at the airport.

Grilled Chicken & bacon

The clouds were so fluffy and picturesque

After 28 hours of traveling, we finally arrived! 

No visit to Port Erin is complete without a meal at our favourite place, The Station!

Grilled gammon steak with egg, mushy peas (had too) and chips

After dinner we were treated to fast paced Beach Motocross in Port  Erin

An they are off!

Can you imagine this happening at Sandbanks Provincial Park?

As there can be marine mishaps, the island relies heavily on the efforts of the 

'Royal National Lifeboat Institution' to provide rescues at sea.

Their mascot joined in the fun, to the delight of all the children!

A wonderful first day, then off for much needed sleep!

Isle of Man - last day of races!

It is hard to believe that after 2 weeks, we are at the last race day.  We watched from an area called the 'Goseneck'.  It is quite high up and commands an impressive view of Ramsey and in the background, The Point of Ayre, the northernmost part of the Isle of Man

 The racing gets underway!

I will digress for a moment and fill in a few forgotten moments from Peel yesterday.  The Isle of Man sustained itself for years through the ample supply of fish. It was invaded many times by the vikings. A beautiful monument sits outside The House of Manannan (a museum) paying homage to the fisherman and the Vikings.

Anyone who knows me knows that I frequent our local restaurant called the Creekside, or as we call it, 'The Creek'.   I was delighted to find another one in Peel, but did not partake of any refreshments.

The Island's tartan tells the whole story of what is important to their history.

 For our final meal on the island, my friend John, pub Manager at the Station, made a special run to the butcher to make me lamb shanks for dinner.  A delicious end to our island visit.

Good bye to the Isle of Man. See you again next year.

Isle of Man - Race day and Fairy visits!

We chose to view the races from a church at Bradden bridge.  The church auxiliary do a wonderful job of putting out pews on the front lawn for prime viewing.  They offer hot and cold lunches (for a small fee) and most importantly; cakes, cakes and more cakes!  With the 6 pound entry fee, you could have a free piece of cake. More on the cakes later. 

Here is a sample of some of the racing:

After racing was over, there was a parade lap of most of the previous race winners over the years.  Note #23 in the centre is Carolynn Sells, who you read about in the Jurby day post.  There are so few women riders on the TT circuit, they deserve a special mention!

And now, the long awaited cakes.  It was so hard to choose which one to have, but I settled on the homemade shortbread!

Adjacent to the church is an ancient gaveyard.  It was virtually impossible to read the headstones that had been weathered by time.  The stories they would have told....

Our next stop was at Peter Murray's motorcyle museum (all his personal collection).  Definitely worth a visit.

Our last stop was for a dose of  'good luck'; a visit to Fairy Bridge.  It is the home of the 'little people' on the island and is considered to be very lucky if you stop and make a wish.  People come from far and wide to hang momentoes, tie ribbons and send wishes to their departed friends.  If you are a racer, it is almost mandetory to come to ask the fairies for good luck!
 

We finished the day at our favourite local pub, The Station, in Port Erin with our friends, Barbara and Eric.  The salmon was yummy!

Tomorrow: Horses and monks....