Mannanana, do doo do doo doo. On the good ship Manannan of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. That’s a good name for a shipping line. Evokes visions of travel from the Victorian era. Port out starboard home. Not that it makes any difference on the Isle of Man ferry. Here it is more about ensuring you have a seat reserved in the Premium Lounge or, on the Manxman, a cabin. Unfortunately because we booked at the last minute we couldn’t get seats together. We will survive.
As we were boarding I noticed that the RNLB Betty Huntbatch moored in Douglas harbour. It’s a huge boat as lifeboats go. Betty was the person who paid for the boat through a £1.2 million bequest in her will, fair play. Her husband had been in the Royal Navy. Also as dawn came the sky turned a vivid pink. It lasted no more than five minutes. We are parked at the pointy end of the ship up the winding deck in the open. I don’t really like parking there. You are the last to get off. In the days of the Land Rover Defender they always put us near the front for a quick getaway because of the height of the car.
The sea looks pretty calm with a force 3 wind but the boat is still rolling a bit. Should be ok. I have a bacon roll coming.
Good news. The Robert Blane party is a no show leaving 4 free seats at the front of the cabin. THG and I are now sat together yay. Mind you there isn’t much dialogue going on. It’s still a bit early. I wonder what Robert Blane’s story is. Why did he not show up? I looked him up. There are loads of Robert Blanes. One of them is a horse trainer. Wonder if it was him. Thanks anyway Bob.
The bacon roll is taking its time.