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the Perfect weekend

A PERFECT WEEKEND Around the

The Calf of Man and Kitterland, where you may spot a basking shark The Route: Douglas, , Calf Sound, , Castletown, Derby Haven

The Isle of Man, situated between Northern Ireland, the North West keen lookout for the many seals at Kitterland, behind which is the of England and Wales, is a wonderful cruising ground offering impressive visitor’s centre. After rounding the southern tip of the beautiful mountain scenery and crystal-clear waters. It has everything island you may also catch a glimpse of basking sharks that frequent you could wish for including miles of sparkling sandy beaches, quaint this area. It is then a short sail round the corner to Port Erin. Take care resorts, secluded anchorages and fully serviced marinas. Whatever the to identify the green starboard buoy, which should be left well to the boat and whatever your budget, there are many ways to spend a south before entering the bay. wonderful weekend on the Isle of Man. Saturday Afternoon & Evening Friday Evening Port Erin has a wonderful shallow, sandy beach that is perfect for a With high tide about 10pm leave Douglas Marina in the early evening late summer afternoon. Anchor here, or alternatively pick up a yellow passing the lifeboat station established by Sir , founder visitors’ mooring. Ashore you can explore the shops and harbourside of the RNLI. After rounding Douglas Head turn south noting the cafes and indulge yourself with an award-winning Manx ice cream. magnificent cliffs, waterfalls and many sea birds that grace the east Port Erin is a beautifully preserved Victorian resort and is the coast. After passing the low peninsular of Langness with its distinctive southern terminus for the Manx steam railway. The transport lighthouse, turn to starboard to reach the picturesque harbour of Port museum is also located in the town. From the St Mary. Pick up a yellow visitors’ buoy or tie up alongside on the traditional railway platform you can take a look at Enjoy the views and convivial outer breakwater. Ashore is the charming Bay View Hotel, where you the immaculately maintained steam engines that Profile 1 friday evening atmosphere at Port St Mary can eat hearty dishes made from local produce and sample hand- take passengers to Douglas. the author pumped Isle of Man ales such as Old Bushy Tail. As the sun sets, take a stroll along the promenade Lucy Browne 2 Saturday morning Lucy is just 16 On the way through the sound keep a keen lookout for and climb up towards Milner’s Tower where you can years old and Sheer cliffs and wildlife Saturday Morning enjoy the wonderful views. On a clear evening you lives in Colwyn abound in Calf Sound Bay, Wales. She the many seals on Kitterland. After rounding the tip A Leave Port St Mary early to arrive at Calf Sound at slack water, one may even catch a glimpse of the Mountains of cruises the Irish steam railway still runs across the island hour before high water. You will pass spectacular sheer cliffs with Mourne across the in Northern Ireland’s Sea and the you may also catch a glimpse of basking sharks West of Ireland with her family in gannetries of noisy sea birds. On the way through the sound keep a County Down. their Nelson 42. Previous boats have included a Nicolson 35 and 43.

0 1 2 3 4 5 nautical miles

Marina Fuel Laxey N Wheel Pub/Restaurant Traditional Douglas Quay Laxey Peel ISLE OF MAN

Irish Douglas Sea 1 Douglas Head Douglas Manx Steam Marina The shallow sandy railway beach at Port Erin

Castletown Port Kitterland Erin Bay View 5 3 Hotel Derby Mountains Haven Calf of Mourne Sound 4 Port ISLE St Mary Irish OF Quay MAN Calf 2 Milner’s Irish Tower Langness Sea Liverpool of Man Point Dublin Irish Sea WALES Peel Castle sits on an islet near Peel Harbour on the west coast 3 Saturday afternoon & evening

december2011 51 17 glens that dot the island. and visit the famous Laxey Wheel at Laxey or explore one of the into the inner harbour. If staying for an extra day head inland Douglas in time for the opening of the swing bridge and access the ideal place to really get away from it all. take a swim. With just a few whitewashed cottages ashore this is The water is incredibly clear here too, so enjoy more fishing or up the barbie and enjoy your fresh fish in this secluded anchorage. keel, round Langness Point and anchor up in Derby Haven. Fire Leaving the drying harbour of Castletown with a foot under your Sunday Pot with its award-winning ales. fleet. No visit is complete, however, without a pint at the historic Glue and listen to enchanting tales of smugglers and the once-great herring visit the nautical museum that houses the 18th Century yacht imposing medieval castle on the quay and across the river you can town of the island. have restored the direct you to the many attractions of what was the original capital up on Irish Quay. The friendly harbourmaster, Tony Sloane, will mackerel that are perfect for an on-board BBQ lunch. dropping a line en route as these waters are teeming with scrumptious the flood back through the tricky Calf of Sound. It’s worthwhile miles of coastal walksthere andis a newthe fully ancient protected Ifmarina. westerly winds prevail you canSunday carry on up the coast to Peel where and beautiful anchorage Darby Haven isaremote be theisland’s capital Castletown, whichused to The harbourathistoric 4 5 When thoroughly relaxed, head back up the coast to reach Arrive at Castletown an hour and a half before high water and tie Should conditions be calm, however, leave Port Erin early to carry Sunday Sunday 52 the decembe p erfe Af M c morning a r 2011 t orning f t w t

e eeke e rnoon rnoon n d Peel Castle This is great walking country, with ruins to explore. to [email protected] and we’ll try and include them. Gravelines? Perhaps you have some great photos too? If so, email them Do you have any personal cruising tips for Dover, Calais and next month Peggy

Dover an

traditional seaside town seaside traditional Port Erin is a wonderful wonderful a is Erin Port Laxey waterwheel intheworld at The largest working d calais

Photo: Graham Taylor - Fotolia.com 823549), VHF Ch 16 & 12. Derby Haven bay +44 (0)1624 823549), VHF Ch 16 & 12. f and the inner harbour in berth at the entrance to Diesel is available from thefuel lighthouse berths Ch 16 & 12. buoys VHF Ch 16 & 12. Harbour 686923), VHF Ch 12. Douglas Harbour c h quay, serves good tapas. ( quay and serves pub grub. name for the (Tel: +44 (0)1624 824673), theCastletown: locals’ (Tel: +44 (0)1624 833811). Orchard pub food in a hotel. (Tel: +44 (0)1624 838991) servesPort good Erin: (Tel: +44 (0)1624 833366). good spicy alternative on the main832064). road and has great fresh fish (Tel:Harbour +44 (0)1624Lights (Tel: +44 (0)1624 830170) for Portlocal St Mary: ales. the Isle of Man. Admiralty Chart 2696 or Imray Y70Derby Haven’s cover breakwater as this dries.venture inside harbour, and don’t totally drying hours before HW. and a half to two typically an hour Slack water is Kitterland keeping closer to theis betweenbeacon. Thousla Beacon and strops are available. buoyed moorings with stout green and rafting up is the norm. Fourbreakwater. yellow Shore lines are required,In Port St. Mary tie up on the outer Na Tel: +44 (0)1624 824885), just behind the Douglas Harbour a o Castletown is a The best course through Calf Sound a v vig nt rb o (Tel: +44 (0)1624 833206), VHF urite e serves simple bar meals Rasoi Indian Restaurant o (Tel: +44 (0)1624 833205), a

a The Station ur Castletown Harbour ct det The ti Castle Arms Visit the is close to the harbour o Glue Pot

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