Laxey to Douglas

A last look out at the campsite we stayed on, which was very empty except a couple of camper vans...

...and us in the lovely shepherd's hut named Margaret. It was a cosy and warm stay, with every convenience, perfect for an overnight stay.

A last long railway journey to make, a diversion inland and up hill, on the Snaefell Mountain Railway.

This time it isn't cheating, as it's bringing us back to where we got on! 

Views of the Great Laxey Wheel, aka Lady Isabella

Hilly terrain that is much like the Cumbrian mountains.

At the top station it is very windy!

What an easy way to climb a mountain!

It's bright, but a bit hazy, so we can't see as far as Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, as you sometimes can from here. We can make of Point of Ayre and Ramsey in this direction, though it's hard to see in the photo

the road you can see here is part of the TT course, and has a spectator bridge and a cafe for people to view the races. 

A quick cafe stop to reward us for our efforts, and take in the views from a less windy spot.

Enjoyed that the upholstery is the same as some of the electric tramway seating. Of course all the avid readers will have recognised this instantly 

Back down we go

Another carriage on its way up

And we're off on our final walk

Past another dinky old church, this is St Adamnans in Lonan. From this view you can just see how the rear half of the building is now in ruins

But you have to walk through the roofless section in order to enter the building...like a walled garden porch

Quite a lot of today on quiet lanes with occasional cars

We approach this quaint holiday village with identical houses and colourful walls, in Groudle Glen.

Our pathway down to the holiday village intersects another railway, this one not in operation today, but it makes a nice picnic spot.

Then we ascend out of the village and onto a larger road (but still fairly quiet), alongside the main railway lines. We cross paths with about 8 other walkers in 15 minutes, which is more than we passed on most whole days during our trip!

Looking back to Port Groudle, you can see the green railway shelter where we ate our sandwiches

Although it is road walking, it's nice to have impressive cliff views again!

A signpost leads us left off the road, for a more off piste return to Douglas, which has begun to emerge

Grassy paths that skirt around the bottom of some lovely clifftop residences 

Some hedges are a welcome shelter from the rather hot sun (mustn't complain !)

The end is in sight!

Back on the road for the final approach

A last obelisk on the coastal route

A lovely cove just separate from the main beach

Colourful vintage posters telling us to visit the Isle of Man, and of course explore it by electric tram, in case we weren't convinced yet

And it's flat all the way home

Fine sea views for the final night 

We managed to squeeze in one final tram- the horse drawn tramway along the seafront

It was quite surprising that the tramway runs right down the centre of the road, with cars passing on both sides. They must have a very thorough selection and training process for the horses, because there were certainly a lot of sounds and distractions.

Only one horse pulling the tram, which also surprised me as I'd imagined a team of at least two. He was a very powerful beast!

Enjoying a carrot and a bit of affection for his efforts.

Back to the room for fish and chips... Think someone smelled them, and sat watching us for at least 15 minutes! Our ferry is in port, but it has another sailing to Heysham and back before we board it first thing tomorrow.

Well, that's us over and out, thank you for reading!