Christmas Deliveries Pt 2: Port Erin to Castletown 6 3/4 miles

Big boulders, little boulders, coarse-grained sand, smooth sand; pebbles galore reminding one of Dorset’s Chesil beach, just as arduous to walk along, but only one mile instead of many. Deep wedges of seaweed, troughs made by meandering streams, fossilised corals and even remnants of a bird trapped within the confines of the limestone; vesicles made in the rocks by tiny organisms or were these holes evidence of gas trapped in the volcanic eruptions in Castletown bay? Who knows?! All this in a short 7 mile walk from Port Erin to Castletown, not to mention the ancient historical monument of Close Ny Chollagh and the Giant Steps created in the limestone nearby. There were mandatory cows at Pooil Vaaish Farm who stood to attention and waited politely for me to pass by – age before beauty :-). For those who are new readers, cows feature in many of my walks one way or another!

The walk began along Truggan Road behind Port Erin, leading towards Port St Mary. My first port of call was a house on Beach Road, followed by another a short distance along Shore Road. Here I couldn’t find the letter-box, so opened what I thought the porch door to find myself in their hall which was decorated with a very fine Christmas tree. I didn’t see the owners, but I do apologise for the intrusion.

The tide was out, so here was an opportunity to walk along the beach to Fishers’ Hill. I began to regret it as there was a strong easterly biting wind constantly battering my face and the mixed terrain was lop-sided and uneven to walk along, but there were joys to be had in the many fossils I stumbled across and the wonderful light shining on the sea. I regained my normal speed once on the track going around to Scarlett, detouring from time to time to find a new angle on a walk I have done many times before. If you have never walked this, this is one you should find time to do.