How can one resist the opportunity to walk round Peel Hill? I was on my way to Evensong at Peel Cathedral, and having completed my work commitments and done an hour in the garden, this seemed like the perfect contribution to the events of the day. A short walk that anyone can do with reasonable fitness. There are some fairly steep uphill sections that might not suit everyone.

It wasn’t the best weather, slightly drizzly and foggy, muddy underfoot in places, no long views, no great skies, but still sublime. It’s good to see the countryside when it isn’t at its best. It reminds us that nature has its own agenda and we have to take advantage of what it gives us throughout the seasons.

I had barely gone a few steps when I saw a pied wagtail, and a little further on, where I stopped to take the photo of Peel, a stonechat, both engrossed in their own activities. After that, it was mostly sheep as you will see.

I followed the path on the lower reaches of the eastern side of the hill, which brings you out toward the middle of the range of hills. I continued left towards Corrin Tower which was shrouded in mist. As I reached the far end of the hummocks, I was lucky to get a view towards Glen Maye and beyond. I then turned back along the western lower route eventually joining the main path which leads across the top of the hills down to the Castle

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Peel Castle  and Fenella Beach

Peel and the River Neb

A misty view to the south

Getting mistier

The high point of Corrin’s Tower

Even the sheep are mystified

And at last, some distant views to the south

The pleasant path along the western side

The sheep cling to the hillside

And back..

 

 

Twilight is such a nice time to venture out, especially in the winter months. There is a stillness in the air as nature settles down for the night. Today was no exception.

There is nothing remarkable about this walk. I am flitting about between the IOM and the UK as my aged aunt is very ill, so I have to grasp any moment I can to get some air and to exercise my legs. I am still suffering from my slipped disc and leg pain that doesn’t give up at any time in the day or night, but exercise helps a little and at least takes my mind off it. Hence the short distances, but at least a 3 or 4 mile walk means I can get my heart rate up a bit and burn off some of the Christmas indulgencies I engaged in at Stoke Mandeville Hospice :-). I did manage two very joyous days with my immediate family over Christmas and I spent several days either side of them visiting my aunty at SM and am about to return for another visit.

On a brighter note, today the air was very festive, crisp and even. I was well wrapped up and having called in at the newsagents to claim my £6 from a scratchcard, I started my walk in the centre of Port Erin. I went along the beach, then out towards Ballachurry Nature reserve, down Mount Gawne Road to the sea at Gansey,  around Gansey Point to Port St Mary and then back home along Truggan Road. It might be an easy walk along roads, but its far nicer than any local walk I could have done when I lived in Nottingham. We are all very blessed living on our beautiful island.