We got the bus to Douglas and then another one to Castletown. It was a pretty grey and damp start, with mist the dominant feature whichever way you looked. Apparently the legend has it that Mannanan cloaks the island in mist to protect it …. so no-one knows it’s there……. Mannanan being the Celtic mythical god of the sea. Out to sea the southerly wind is whipping up white horses again, and it all looks rather bleak. Arriving in the quaint square of Castletown, the castle situated right in the centre of the little town. The harbour and river run through the middle, with their tidal drying areas. We started by having a walk out towards the golf course which is situated on the spit of land that sticks out to the SE. Derby haven on the north side is a protected anchorage in this wind direction but we were glad not to out there today! We walked back past the end of the islands airport runway, watching a couple of very accomplished kite surfers on the way. King Williams school is right next door to the airport and an independent school teaching the international baccalaureate. Opposite it’s gates is Hango hill, which is a Bronze Age burial mound and also where illiam Dhone, the famous Manx martyr was executed in 1663. Castletown was the original capital of the island and it’s easy to see why. Colourful fishermen’s houses line the front and along the sides of the harbour walls. Back in the square, grand architecture prevails and pretty narrow streets dive off at angles. The castle is opposite the old house of keys which is the former home of the Manx parliament. It is now a museum but Sadly it wasn’t open today. The medieval castle on the other hand was very open and well worth a visit. It had been amazingly well preserved, presumably because it was used as the islands prison until relatively recently so all the floors and roofs were in tact. Another very interactive museum, brought to life with recreations of how it would have been through the ages, with life like models of the inhabitants. There was even a very realistic chap on his medieval toilet groaning and making awful noises 😳🤮. Kids would love it! Once we had done the castle we enquired whether the nautical museum was open. Apparently not but that if we popped over there, “Andrew “ would meet us and let us in. ! It was so brilliant! Andrew not only let us in but we had a least an hour there, with him giving us a private historical guided tour. The museum tells the story of the ingenious captain George Quayle, his eccentric boathouse and his most significant possession, “ The Peggy”, the only surviving example of a small wooden yacht from the 18th century. And what Andrew didn’t know about George and his boat……wasn’t worth knowing.! Absolutely fascinating. We made our way back to Peel travelling by Steam train and bus. Another great day.
What I learned today…. George Quayle once sailed The Peggy to white haven, put her on a cart, took her to Windermere to Race some with other boats, then did the return journey and sailed her all the way back to the Isle of Man….. the original trailer sailor! Ps. The picture of the Peggy is not mine as she’s been moved to near b&q for safekeeping and maintaining her.
Sue x
Castletown in the distance 
King Williams school 
Hango hill 
Derby haven 
The square 
The Peggy ( from Internet) 
Castletown 
The house of keys
Angelique 