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image (c) Kitty Roach
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We briefly described the weather in the Isle of Man. Here's our brief guide to "must-go" places and things to do.
How to get there
By sea (if you're bringing the bike!): the Steam Packet Company. Departure from Belfast port on the SeaCat only, and the duration is two hours forty five minutes. From Dublin, you can take either the ferry (four hours and forty five minutes), or the SeaCat at two hours and forty five minutes. In both cases your destination is Douglas. For more information, go to www.steam-packet.com.
By air: Manx Airlines from Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport to Ronaldsway Airport in Castletown. Flight time from Belfast and Dublin is thirty five minutes More details at www.manx-airlines.com.
Travel companies specialising in package deals include Travel Services, and Vikki Osborne. Eeek, just looked at Travel Services site and they've no accommodation for the TT's this year. However, this is quite usual, and a good trick is to e-mail The Isle of Man Tourist Board and enquire about "Homestay" accommodation. This is where the local families take us tourists in for the duration, and the hospitality is second-to-none. The Tourist Board also provide information on campsites.
Now you're here
The Isle of Man measures thirty three miles by thirteen - two hundred and twenty seven square miles.
The Tourist Trophy
The TT Races, as they are more commonly known, are run each year around the first week in June. They were first started in 1905 by the RAC, initially for cars. The first motorcycle races took place in 1907, and the winning speeds back then were roughly 40mph, compared to 120mph nowadays!!!
The schedule for TT 2001 is:
Saturday, May 26 to Friday June 1 - Practice Sessions
Saturday, June 2 - Formula 1 and Sidecar A
Monday, June 4 - 250 Lightweight and Sidecar B
Wednesday, June 6 - 125 Ultra-Lightweight, Singles and Junior
Friday, June 8 - Production and Senior
For all the information, and loads more go to  the official TT website.
The TT's aren't the only biking event in the Isle of Man calendar, though. July sees the Southern 100 taking place, and August-September hosts the Manx Grand Prix.
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The Isle of Man mints it's own currency in the same denominations as the United Kingdom. Sterling currency is accepted in the Isle of Man, but Isle of Man currency is not accepted in the United Kingdom.
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Laxey and The Great Laxey Wheel
A "must-go" - everyone will tell you that. It's the oldest working water wheel in the world. The Great Laxey Wheel was built on a hill overlooking Laxey Village.  It was built in 1854 for the Great Laxey Mining Company to pump water. In those days, mining was a very important industry, and Laxey was one of the biggest producers of zinc and lead in the British Isles. It was designed by a local engineer by the name of Robert Casement. It was dubbed the "Lady Isabella" after the then Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope's wife, who officiated at the opening of the wheel in September 1854. The Manx government bought it in 1965 and restored it. The "Lady Isabella" is reputed to be the largest water wheel in Europe, possibly in the world.
An establishment that we frequented in Laxey was the "Mines Tavern". It lies at the terminus of the Snaefell Mountain Railway, and serves lovely food (the menu is in English and German). There's a nice beer garden there also. Here's their card - don't be put off by it - then again, we didn't actually meet the landlord! Children are welcome here.  Just for legibility, it says Rude Landlord - Grotty Food - Lousy Beer - Don't Ring 01624 861484.
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The Isle of Man also mint their own stamps, and have done since 1973.
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Castletown
Every road leads to Castletown and, in our experience did. From the very first night, and every
night thereafter, we ended up here. For several centuries, it was the ancient capital of the island, and it's a lovely place to visit. Apparently, it's sited at the edge of a volcano which, thankfully, is very quiet these days. Castle Rushen can be found at the harbour, and is an interesting place to go visit, though we didn't - maybe next time. A great place for food, though, is the "Viking" pub where we dined most nights. The food is very good with different 'specials' each night. The beauty of it is that you can have the kiddies there 'til 9.30 p.m. if you're eating!
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Ever wondered about the "Three Legs of Man"? It's the island's symbol of independence and means Quocunque Jerceris Stabut "Whichever way you throm me I stand".
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More to come...
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The Isle of Man's government, which first sat in 979AD, is the longest continuous parliament in the world! And, in 1881, the Tynwald government was the first in the world to give women the vote.
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The Law
As is the case everywhere, when in a car, seatbelts must be worn.
It is illegal to use mobile phones when driving.
Possession of drugs can lead to a spell in the clink if party is found guilty.
Caravans are not allowed on the island. Camper vans and tenting campers are.
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The Manx have their own language - a form of Gaelic. It has recently enjoyed a revival, having waned in the eighteenth century.
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Our own St. Patrick sent missionaries to the island circa 450AD, heralding the arrival of Christianity.
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