Farewell to Ellan Vannin. Sat at the window of our cabin looking out across Douglas Bay and the Tower of Refuge. Cup of tea in hand. Waiting to depart. The quayside of the Port of Douglas lies below and a few workers in hi viz jackets go about their business. The fluttering Manx flag suggests a westerly.
The met office says south south westerly 24mph gusting to 36. Force six to seven. Tomorrow will be a lot worse as Storm Kathleen makes her mark on the Irish Sea. I had an auntie Kathleen. Mam’s sister who lived in Carlisle. Few of that generation are still with us and certainly not in our family. They remain in our thoughts.
From my balcony I can see St Ninians church, next to which I went to school. The school building itself is lower lying and don’t think is visible from the eighth deck of the Manxman. The Captain, a Scotsman by the name of Cambell I think, has just announced we are ready to rock and roll. He didn’t quite put it like that but I know that’s what he meant.
We’re off. The wifi seems much faster on the Manannan on the way out but this time I used the premium code whereas last time I just used the normal login available to the great unwashed. How do I know they were unwashed? I don’t.
Overheard at breakfast. The Manxman had 600 passengers booked on and were expecting it to increase to 800 as people brought travel plans forward due to the weather. They actually have 400 so lots of travellers decided not to take the risk. The sailing could potentially have been cancelled and we only got the go ahead at 6.40 this morning.
The boat is quite rocky despite the presence of stabilisers to mitigate the effects of the storm. Had to hold on to the handrail walking about. The bar and restaurant area was quite empty with one or two passengers stretched out on bench seats trying to get some kip.
Now having finished my full Manx I’m stretched out meself next to THG in the comfort of our cabin.
Oh take me home again, Kathleen,
Across the ocean wild and wide.
…
Well this has been a really smooth crossing, in our cabin at least. It was a bit shaky down in the bar. Had a good shower and now up and at it. Made meself a couple of cheese and onion rolls for the journey using my Leatherman multitool. Same blade as I used to cut flowers for the grave yesterday 🙂
Not far to go now although no sign of land. According to Google maps it is there. Just shrouded in mist.
From Heysham we drive to Liverpool where we will take shelter for the night in the Hilton next to John Lewis. The John Lewis bit isn’t why we went for the Hilton as opposed to the Doubletree we probably prefer. It’s just that it has valet parking and is near to both Pizza Express where THG is taking me tonight and the Bridewell pub which is one of my faves. Some good craft IPA/American Pale Ales. Former prison or simlar. The cells are still there, now used as booths. I can’t say I’m a big Pizza Express fan but I don’t mind going and we have a load of Tesco Clubcard vouchers to spend.
Just passed a boat of some kind headed the other way. A low lying blue one with a white superstructure up the front. Small tanker maybs? Marine Traffic tells me it is Highland Knight (GB). Offshore supply ship.
En route to Liverpool I have a conference call so THG will drive some of the way. It is her car after all. Then another one at three thirty. On a Friday afternoon!!!
Oh! I will take you back, Kathleen
To where your heart will feel no pain
And when the fields are fresh and green
I’ll take you to your home again!
…
Lots of silhouettes in Liverpool. Getting dark and my shades are not a practical prospect.