First up, some distressing news from Denmark where Pubmeister has won a legal injunction to stop me showing him in shorts.
That won’t stop me complimenting his driving (think “Baby Driver”) or musical taste as we whizzed out to Laxey, beating the Electric Railway by some 3 hours.
The OS extract for Laxey (pop.1768, 5 pubs), home of my first new Manx tick in GBG18, shows just how exciting maps are. Contours, fairies, wheels, unpronounceable hamlets and teeny tiny 1-in-5 lanes.
Parked up, we realised we couldn’t actually see the Mines Tavern, seemingly back in the Guide for the first time since you could walk to Laxey from Barrow. What Pub suggested it was actually located on the railway line.
We asked a local, possibly older than all of us put together but striding towards somewhere quicker that Stafford Mudge on his way to the Spoons.
“It’s down there along the railway track. Great pub. I’d join you but I’m on medication.” BRAPA would have asked for further and better particulars.
It was where he said it would be.
Being on official tourist details I let Martin (2) nip ahead while I failed to capture the majesty of the Wheel.
A great, undulating place to explore, and plenty of interest for connoisseurs along Ham & Egg Terrace.
The Mines is a cracker, though it scarcely plays to its tourist potential.
“Almost unrecognisable” said Pubmeister, comparing a visit from more innocent times. The bar, shaped like a tram, is stunning.
With no evening food trade, there’s just the steady supply of cheery local drinkers that keep Manx pub levels so high. You can imagine this as a bustling boozer outside Derby station, though I sense there it would be obliged to have more than the three Okells beers on. Three is plenty, of course. Another cool Bitter in a row (NBSS 3.5).
No Bass signs, but this is close enough.
Next up, we hit the hotel bars of the capital. Karaoke alert.
retiredmartin 
Sometimes it seems to me there’s bit of a race to be the first one to comment on your posts?
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YOU ARE THE WINNER !!!!
Just call this number to redeem your prize…
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And we give you guys a six to eight hour head start!
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That’s true.
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Now I have had time to compose myself … it’s a lovely place the IOM. Did you do the TT course? Mrs C’s worst bit, apart from getting off at the end!
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“BAN THIS FILTH”
You don’t like fish & chips?
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Only calimari.
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Spelled with an a dear boy.
Schoolboy error which Russ would pounce on if I hadn’t already done so.
Happy Yorkshire Day to all your Tyke readers who won’t be buying a pint today to celebrate it .
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I spoke to the octopus concerned and it didn’t express a preference as to spelling. Kalimari it is then.
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The octopus didn’t care how it was spelled because calamari is squid.
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Not this one. (only winding you up).
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Unlike Arnie I ain’t no sucker.
( If you asked me to explain I’ll have to name-drop again …)
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What, you’ve met the octopus in “Finding Nemo”?
#Impressed
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It involves a pair of large breasts,the Los Angeles Times,a movie star and me.
Perhaps best if I don’t commit to print but if we ever meet you’ll get the full scuttlebutt.
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Best you remain Someone, I guess. Tell it to Mrs RM, I’m much too sensitive.
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“Russ would pounce on if I hadn’t already done so.”
Pfft. Martin had already it’s useless to comment on comment grammar errors as they can’t be edited. 😎
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Amazed to see that thing still there, I saw it in 2005 on my only visit to IOM. Agree Mines Tavern is a cracking pub, doesn’t seem to have changed much since I was there. Also agree that that the Laxey Wheel is pretty much unphotographable.
Went to Laxey on the Electric Railway, much more fun than driving, although I am a bit of a sucker for all kinds of old technology.
Looking forward to your report on the bright lights of Douglas.
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They’re very bright, Bill.
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And did you not get to the Shore Hotel, IOM’s only brewpub? Worth the walk, although I did nearly get bitten by a very irritable pub dog. Never mind, it’ll be dead by now. Hah!
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Passed it, but we’d all done the Shore before on various trips. It’s a lovely basic place 😉
Dogs always lick me which is just as bad.
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Unrecognisable = I have no recollection.
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Martin, I also attended the 2010 CAMRA AGM, but fortunately travelled there and back by Seacat from Liverpool. Several of my CAMRA colleagues were not so lucky, although one couple at least made it to the IOM before the volcano blew its stack and closed all North European airspace. Another friend was not so lucky, as he’d intended to fly over a day later.
I didn’t like to rub it in, but I did have that smug feeling of “I’m alright, Jack,” although the smugness disappeared when on the return journey, one of the Seacat’s engines lost power, and our journey into Liverpool was delayed by a couple of hours. As I had a pre-booked Apex fare, on an afternoon train out of Lime Street, this ate into my allotted “drinking time” in the city, which kind of served me right for being so smug.
That was my first, and so far only visit to the Isle of Man. I’m glad I went and my CAMRA friends and I made the most of our time on the island, but I’ve no real plans to return. I was chatting with some work colleagues the other day, about living on an island (OK I know Britain is an island, but it’s rather a large one), and we all concluded that we’d feel trapped after a while. On holiday one year, we met a couple from the IOM. The husband was a Manxman, but his wife came from the mainland and I remember her confiding how trapped she felt, stuck out in the middle of the Irish Sea.
There may have been other factors involved of course, but coming originally from Birmingham the lady was not impressed with the shops on the IOM. For my part, I was surprised to learn there were no concessional fares available on the ferries, for Manx residents; the assumption being everyone is happy staying on the island.
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No, if you gave them cheaper fares it would encourage them to leave. You’re also not covered by your inclusive mobile phone contract.
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Yes, four days was enough for us (done three two days trips as well) but I’d rate it an essential trip on a visit to the British isles dues to the beauty of the western coast and interior. The pubs are surprisingly rough and ready in the towns, and that’sa bonus.
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I can understand how people feel a bit trapped. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.
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You’d think so, wouldn’t you ? Have to say I find Man a lot less insular than Lincs/Norfolk etc. on the whole, though remembering the Peel palava now I may need to reassess.
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“Have to say I find Man a lot less insular than Lincs/Norfolk etc. on the whole,”
That’s actually pretty deep when you think about it. 🤔
I’ve lived on an island small enough it had no traffic lights; and I’ve lived in a small town a stone’s throw (as it were) from Canada’s capital. The small town was more insular than the island. 😏
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Know what you mean. Douglas has scary modern shops and internet and shoes. That’s more than Wisbech or Spilsby or Bridgwater.
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Each of my three stays in the isle of Man were quite different but the reason for that is nothing to do with pubs or beer.
I didn’t think the Mines Tavern, in 1988 I think, was anything to write home about.
2010 for the beer buffs AGM was marred by the boats being packed by all those using them because their flights had been cancelled at short notice.
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I’d forgotten about the mobile phone issue, but I suppose when you’re stuck out in the middle of the Irish Sea communication is always going to be expensive.
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“(think “Baby Driver”) ”
I haven’t seen that yet. Any good?
“The OS extract for Laxey ”
I’m on my phone so will forgo peering at the tiny map to look for humourous names.
“DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE TO THIS PUB I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE”
Pfft. After the disparaging way you talked about the electric railway a turtle could get out of the way. 😉
“Look closely for the Wheel”
It’s just above that poorly drawn swastika innit? 😎
“Eggs Benedict ?”
Or maybe Dr. Seuss.
“BAN THIS FILTH”
Agreed. Either dress up as a maid or a cook, but not both! 🙄
“Gorgeous”
Thumbs up. 👍
“Karaoke alert.”
Thanks. I’ll dig out my ear plugs. 😊
Cheers
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Don’t drive there unless you can outrun a turtle ?
Baby Driver was one of five films I binge watched on flight to LA. Simple plot, well executed fun.
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I shall add it to my list. 🙂
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