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Journeying Holiday to the Isle of Man - July 2024
Saturday 27th July 2024
Phil Craine
Eleven guests joined us for a week's exploration of the Isle of Man in glorious weather which certainly bucked this summer's pattern!
We stayed in a retreat house in Peel on the Island's west coast named "Thie Dy Vea." The name means 'House of Life' in Manx Gaelic and it provided us with superb comfort, delicious food and warm hospitality.
From here we used our transport passes to journey to near and far corners of the Island, offering walks of around five miles each day.
A walk on our first full day, Friday, took us over Peel Hill, along the coast and down a permissive path through Knockaloe where we visited a small Museum, The Knockaloe Centre. Here, Alison the curator and founder of the Centre, told us how these empty fields housed 23,000 'enemy aliens' interned during the First World War. These were mainly German nationals who lived in Britain when war was declared - their only crime was their nationality. One famous internee was Joseph Pilates. It was at Knockaloe Internment camp that Joseph Pilates watched a Manx cat stretching, and it was here that his exercises were formed and passed on to others.
On Saturday, we got the bus to Glen Mooar, site of a dramatic waterfall and Keeill Pharric (St Patrick's Keeill/cell) where we reflected on our ancestors worshipping at that very sacred spot a thousand years ago. Then a circular route took us up to our lunch spot with great views of the hills, then down to Glen Wyllin campsite with a stop for drinks/ice cream. We finished by walking along the beach from Glen Wyllin, where the high tide necessitated a human chain to arrive at the beach back to Glen Mooar. From here we caught our bus back to Peel in time for some guests to have tea and scones at the Cathedral and a tour of the impressive gardens.
On Sunday Phil made a guest appearance as St German (Germanus) - it was his saint's day, and many guests joined in the walk from the Old Cathedral housed in Peel Castle, to the new Cathedral where they joined in the service. That afternoon we travelled a short distance to St John's in the centre of the Island, home of Tynwald Hill (Tinvaal), where the Island's Parliament gather on 5th July each year to proclaim laws in Manx and English. It is believed to be the oldest continuous Parliament in the world. This was followed by a visit to the Church and circular walk affording views out to the west coast and back to Peel Hill.
On Monday we took a tram ride to the summit of Snaefell, the Island's only mountain at 2036 feet above sea level. Swirling mists dusted the peak while we took in splendid scenery. On descent to the Old Mining Village of Laxey, some guests enjoyed exploring the "Lady Isabella", the largest surviving working waterwheel in the world built in 1854 to pump water from the mines.
A trip to the top of the wheel via spiral stairs, whilst not for the faint hearted, gave great views all around. Other guests enjoyed meandering to the beach or Woollen Mill.
On Tuesday we took the bus to Douglas, then a ride on the Victorian steam railway to the former capital of Castletown. This was followed by a circular walk from the Ancient Capital around the coast, affording great views to the southern hills and Port St Mary and Port Erin. En route we passed an Iron Age fort and stopped at Chapel Hill, which boasts a Viking Boat burial site, a Bronze age cist and Keeill Vael (named after Michael), with some of the best views on the Island. We walked past open fields of wheat and barley and two guests were mesmerised by the breeze flowing through the crops and one remarked "It was like watching the Holy Spirit gently at work."
At Keeill Vael we had lunch, time to admire the view and worship together, before returning through the fields to Castletown in time for all to enjoy gelatos all round - a recurrent theme of the week!
Our last day, Wednesday, saw us take the bus to Ramsey and electric tram to Maughold. A visit to Maughold Church, Keeills and ancient crosses reminded us that this was the cradle of Christianity in the Isle of Man, where ancient Celts worshipped and prayed in their Keeills or cells, interceding for the surrounding Islands and sharing the Gospel with all who visited. After lunch we took the steep but shortish walk to St Maughold's Well for a brief reflection, before returning around the coast and roads to Ramsey. Yes, you have guessed it, for more gelatos!
Friendships were forged over a tough jigsaw and Scrabble, and before we knew it the week had passed and it was time to leave the island...
Comments from guests include:
"Really appreciated the gentle spirit in which the whole week was led, the care for each individual, with freedom to participate in as much/ little as desired." Thank you.
"This was our first experience of a guided walk of any kind. We were not sure what to expect, but the week has blessed us more than we could think or imagine..........."