Re: Manx Grand Prix survey

Posted by Liam Proven <lproven-at-gmail.com> on 1 February 2012 | 0 Comments

On 31 January 2012 14:44, mike newton <bikermike.n@googlemail.com> wrote:
> On 31 January 2012 14:38, Jonathon Green <bigbadbikercats@googlemail.com>=
wrote:
>
>> On 31 January 2012 13:01, mike newton <bikermike.n@googlemail.com> wrote=
:
>> >
>> http://www.mgpfestival.com/MGP-Festival-2012/MGP-Festival-Questionnaire.=
aspx
>> >
>> > Hmmm, I've filled it in, but I'm a bit concerned is seems to be all ab=
out
>> > trying to turn it from a race meeting to a real ale and classic bikes
>> > festival...
>>
>> Rather selfishly I'd be more worried about the possibility that
>> they're looking to build a circus around it on the same scale as the
>> TT - since for me the appeal of the Manx is that it's an altogether
>> more relaxed, low key event where you get to enjoy the racing without
>> the mayhem and hoopla associated with the TT that would dim the appeal
>> a little for me...
>>
> I think there is a halfway house.
> when it rained (one year) I remember we went to the story of Mann in the
> museum in Douglas. Lots of other bored bikers hanging about.
>
> If they build on the success of the Jurby Festival it could be good - eg
> little things like can they get the Laxey Mines railway open on
> non-weekends? A few local bands might be nice
>
> As long as the close the roads and keep the mix of old and new bikes in t=
he
> racing, I'm happy.

There's actually a fair bit of non-bike-related stuff to see on the
Island, which I suspect 90% of the TT visitors ignore unless the
weather is really crap. It's a shame.

The Manx Museum is pretty good and if proper science and arch=E6ology
are too much then the Manannan House in Peel is quite fun. Peel Castle
itself is worth a visit; so is the folly on the head above Port Erin.
And the Calf of Man, if you like a bit of a hike. Tiny islet, but
perfectly possible to get lost on it; I speak from experience.

There's the Grove Museum of Rural Life in Ramsey. The Tynwald in St
John's. Lonan Old Church and Maughold Church both have spectacular
collections of early Viking-era crosses, with examples of runic and
Ogham inscriptions.

The Island is also /covered/ in arch=E6ological sites, from the Meayll
Circle down near the Calf Sound to Cashtal-yn-Ard. There are an insane
number - approaching a thousand, I think, but most are very
insignificant and unspectacular.

There's the nature reserve at Scarlett and the Chasms between Port St
Mary and Port Erin. Hiking up Snaefell the hard way is worth doing, as
is the Millennium Way for the really keen.

But most visitors ignore this. Kinda a shame.

Saying all that, I personally enjoy the circus around the TT and
missed it during the MGP. But that's just me. Unreformed teenager even
in middle-age. :=AC/

--=20
Liam P.
(former IoM resident & later visitor to many TTs)

0 comments | Read the full post

Re: More Lie-n-Scare amusement

Posted by flook-at-neilamison.org.uk on 1 February 2012 | 0 Comments

On Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:42:01 +0000, you wrote:

<snip>
>Lie-n-Scare refused to pay out as they said Girona (Barcelona) wasn't=20
>Barcelona. So Girona is Barcelona when they want to sell you a ticket=20
>there, but not when you want to claim on the price guarantee ...

Travelodge are at it as well. In Brierley Hill there is a Travelodge
called "Birmingham-Dudley" so a mere 14 miles away from Birmingham 2
and a half from Dudley. Not quite Ryanair scale but it's a start.

Neil.

0 comments | Read the full post