Isle of Maxi TT 2010



The plan was:

1st July - London to Liverpool
2nd July - Liverpool to Douglas
3rd July - Sightseeing
4th July - TT course drive
5th July - Return to London

After two years of quite hectic Challenges, Adam and James Dorset (a BL Challenge newbie) headed off in Dominic's Dolomite to the Isle of Man. Our first stop off was an overnight stop in a rented appartment in Liverpool where we recharged our batteries and checked out the world famous Cavern Club, widely acknowledged as the birthplace of the Beatles. Local hospitality was great, spoilt only by the weather.

We set off at the crack of dawn to catch our ferry and after a routine trip disembarked and set out to find a campsite, which we duely did, just up the road from the Hawthorns pub. We spent our first night there checking out the local delicacies including queenies (scallops to you and I) and Manx lamb pie as well as Manx spirit - a clear, whisky like drink.

Our first full day on the island and we headed for a trip around the coast, taking in the south of it and ending up in Peel.

Day two and we finished our coastal loop at the north as a preliminary excursion to attacking the TT circuit in the afternoon. And attack it we did! Dominic spared no horses as he skilfully drove Edward around the course. I would love to say that we were kissing apexes and able to stretch the car to it's limits, however as all the public roads were still open we were able to complete it in just under 55 minutes, meaning an average speed of 39mph. Not shabby for a 35 year old car with a slight points gap issue and a James in the back that had been overcome by excitement and spent the hour asleep in the rear!

After a packing up camp we crossed the Irish Sea once more to start our journey back home, glad to have made the effort to visit this jewel of a country.