Douglas to DerbyHaven Walk

Today’s walk was From Douglas to Derbyhaven along the coastal path.  We should have started at the top of Douglas Head but due to 2 hour parking only we drove further down marine drive to the first car park. So we did about a mile by car.WAlk should have been about 13/14 miles.

The first part of the walk was along Marine Drive, which is closed to traffic in the middle section due to landslips. This road has been used for many films for car chasers. Few years back we were stop doing this walk due to an action film in progress.




This road leads us to Port Soderick was once a good beech amusement area in its heyday. Today its in rack and ruin. The building is boarded up and the old walkways around the cliff have seen better days. Helen said when she was young they came down here and had great times. Its is little way of the main road and the stream train does stop at the station ¼ mile up the road.  We once got told a famous chef bought one of the buildings but looks like they did not have the money to inject into.

So from here the path heads inland to follow the road for few miles before heading back to the coast. Pity the government cannot get the landowners to open the path along the coast from Port Soderivk.

We come back to the coast at Santon Head where the path is very over grown and we head down to small beech area f Port Grenaugh that was littered with old BBQs.

Then we head along the high cliffs to Port Soldrick where we looked down on the young sea birds in the nests plus a kestal who was not happy we was on the path. Kept making a lot of noise, which meant we were near a neat.
 Soon the path leads back inland, but if you wanted you could make your way down to a stone beach area then try and get a cross a small river. But with the amount of rain that’s been around the small river looked eeep. So we went inland but this was very muddy and wet. Once out you end back to the coast path where the airport runway comes into site. This was made longer few years back and they built the runway out to sea using very large boulders. We watched the barges few years back bringing the rock in.  There is now a good path been built and you do come very close the planes as they land and take off.

Aryes Walk

 This walk was only a short distance but it our aim was for the wildlife in the area. We were at the top end of the island at Ayres National Nature Reserve. It is 673 acres of lichen heath, sand dune and gorse scrub.

We started the walk from the Ayres visitor centre car park. Here you will find a small visitor centre and a new high level-viewing platform that look south over the sand dunes.  From here our walk took us north to wards Point of Ayre Lighthouse.  From there we would return back and do the same route. No height gain as we were at sea level. 

So the aim was for wildllife and as we walked along the top of the beach area or pebble beech.  We came across the oystercatchers that had young birds in the area. We could make out Ringed Plovers darting about in the pebbles. Out at sea a head was bobbing about as the seal watched us.

As you walk along the beach you surprised what is washed up in rubbish.  Old ropes, bottle tops, can, bottles, plastic drums and plastic boxes. Some must come of boat sand the rest is just dumped by us. In between all of that you will come across amazing shells that have been washed up.  Plus at the far end we came across amazing carpet of seaweed. Just look lie lenghts of rope next to each other.

As we got near to the lighthouse we started to see the Gannets diving into the sea. We have been told that they fly in from Scotland or Ireland to feed. This is amazing sight as you have lunch and as the sea was in they were a lot closer this time. Also Arctic terns were flying around. Plus their young were flying as well. If they were still nesting in this are they would have hit us.  They even have their own roped of area.

When we turned back we went back a long the grass above the beach and along here we came across flowers and mushrooms. Not expert on these but some of them were amazing.

So not a big walk but as I said it was just looking at the wildlife in this area. Sometimes we have come here and read a book. It can be a suntrap if sat in the dunes.

After we left here we went to Ramsey and went to have a look an Albert Tower.

Bradda Head Walk

Our next walk took us back to Port Erin  and the reason was the Southern 100 races that would start later in the week in the south of the island.

Our route today took us north along the coast.  From the prom we followed the path that would lead us up a steady climb to Bradda Head Tower.  Look like some work was under way to repair the brick work. Normally you can climb to the top but the door was blocked of. From the top of the hill you can look  down the coast to the Calf and North to Peel Tower.

From the tower we went North. About 3 or 4 years ago this area suffered a bad grass fire. Where everything was burnt down to the sea.. It was just a mass black area. Over the  last couple of years we have seen it grow slowly in  patches, but this year seems to have grown back a lot better.  Today it looked great as the sun shined down on the green areas.  We then came to Bradda Hill and this  where we had a steep climb down to to Fleshwick bay.

 This is a nice spot for lunch in this cove area. Surrounded by steep cliffs.  Then we keep following the path North and again we have to climb steep out again.  It’s a big pull up and we follow the path along the top of the cliffs where it drops down to the A36 road. 

This is where we turn 360 degrees to return along a track that leads into Sulby.  Now you get different views. You can see Port St Mary and round to Castletown and Langness in the far distance.  You then past though the back of Port Erin passing some nice houses on the way back to the prom.

Port Erin Coastal Walk

Looking Back towards Port Erin

Our first walk on the Isle of Man takes us to one that we have always done. Port Erin around the coast to the Calf and back round.

We set off along the seafront of Port Erin and head towards the Life Boat Station. Where we take the Coast path up behind some old buildings. Passing a grass area of seagulls with young. The path climbs steeply to where when you look back you have the full view of Port Erin seafront with its lovely beach. On the other side we can see Bradda Tower under repair.

Herring Gull

The path along the coast  is up and down and you need to be careful with some of the grass as your feet gets tangle in the long grass. Along the route you will see many sea birds  nesting on the cliff and we were looking to see there young birds as well. We have been told there is a bird of prey nesting on the cliffs.

As we head towards the Calf which soon come into view. We are looking out for Basking Sharks but looking at the state of the sea we don’t think we see any. Once down at the Sound Calf, which is busy with people going for lunch at the Sound Café. Many are looking out at the seals on Kitterland. First time we have seen the sea with very strong currents as the two seas meet.

From the Sound we now head around to the east side and head up steeply to Spanish Head, where we look back again at the Calf before we head round to the Chasms.  Again the path is overgrown and it’s the first time we have seen muddy paths in July.

Further we can look down to The Sugarloaf where there is fishing boast and diving boast.

Looking back to the Calf

Looking Towards Sugar Loaf

Once at the Chasm we turn inland to head towards the Village of Crgneash. You can walk along the coast to Port St Mary and come in that way.  But as time was with us and we wanted a nice pint of Bushy Beer.  Once though the village we across the main road and take a minor road that leads back down to Port Erin. You will pass a path that leads upto  a small Stone circle and further pass a couple of grand entrance to a house. Believe it was once owned by Nigel Manshall.

Village of Crgneash

Once back at PortErin we always like the Ice cream and then a beer in the The Bay Hotel on the seafront.

Isle of man

Now in Isle of Man for the week. Walking running. Live bands and local beers.