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Castletown, as well as being the previous capital of the island, is also one of
the main ports. It has a small, but idyllic, harbour...
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...alongside wich can be
found the 'small but perfectly formed' maritime museum...
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...and Castle Rushen - also worth a visit!
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However, the second stage of the coastal path leaves the centre of the town by
this alley...
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A short distance away, we can look back northwards to Ronaldsway Airport.
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Looking out across Castletown Bay
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Looking forward, and southwards to Scarlett Point. After yesterday's exertions,
it is rewarding to have a relatively short walk - almost entirely at sea level!
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Looking back at Castletown itself in the bay.
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An old quarry on the approach to Scarlett Point
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Limekilns at Scarlett Point
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Showing the kilns in relation to the quarry. There is also a visitor centre
here.
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Crossing a stile as we round the point.
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Just along here also is a coastguard station.
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A little further on we get our first look at Port St Mary and the uplands at
the extreme south of the island. Also clearly visible is the coll leading
through to Port Erin.
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The remains of an old wartime camp are in evidence.
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A burial mound.
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As the path joins the road for a couple of miles, looking back towards
Castletown, is a section of road which is part of the 'Southern 100' racing
course.
Many people are aware of the TT races but are unaware of this shorter circuit at
the southern end of the island.
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Known as the 'friendly races', the Southern 100 meeting in mid July, attracts
all the big names that the TT does. The whole setting is far less formal. Here,
for example, is Guy Martin checking over his machine in the pits.
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Here is a wider view of preparations in the Sothern 100 pits.
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Back on the coastal path, after a relatively boring road section (but nothing
is ever really boring on
the Isle of Man!), we reach Gansey Point and look back whence we have come
across Bay ny Carrickey.
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Approaching Gansey.
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Chapel Bay at Port St Mary has this very fine crescent overlooking the water.
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Looking back across Port St Mary Bay to Gansey and beyond across Bay ny
Carrickey we can see nearly all the way to our stating point.
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The coastal path takes this raised footway around the next headland.
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The approach to the large, busy harbour at Port St Mary.
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Port St Mary is probably the least commercialised of the island bases. This is
looking back the way we have just walked; around the bay and raised footway.
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Here we are a little further round this substantial port.
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Port St Mary has a significant fishing fleet. All quite fascinating!
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