Wednesday - Isle of Man - Day #6

Wednesday 6th June - 2018 

Thousands upon thousands of people lined the promenade & the sandy shore line of the Irish Sea here in Douglas last night to watch the aerial performance of the Royal Air Force's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows under a perfect sky over the Douglas Bay skyline. WOW !!! What a performance they provided for 20 or so minutes.

The Royal Air Force's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows
fly their 9-man formation over Douglas Bay

Crowds flocked to the Promenade and the beaches of Douglas to
watch the Royal Air Force's Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows perform

Once the Red Arrows display had finished I wandered up to the Gaiety Theatre for a funny & informative evening with Steve Parrish. What a life this guy has had, he is also a commentator on the BBC, truck racer and in general a great knock about bloke, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his life story.

Selfie: The Red Arrows over the Isle on Man yesterday
Photo courtesy of the Red Arrows.

Today is my sixth day here on the IoM, and we have not had one shower or drop of rain in that entire time.

Today will be my last day to watch the TTs as I depart for London tomorrow afternoon.

Passing in review, the Red Arrows arc over Douglas Bay on the Isle of Man.
The afternoon was almost flawless with no wind and only high level cloud.

I have enjoyed myself so much that I would consider returning here in the future. This experience has been so different to any other race meet that I have attended any where in the world. Truly a once in a life time humbling adventure, these racers are the bravest men in the world, bar none. 

Built in 1899, this is the ornate facade of the Gaiety Theatre that
is situated on the Douglas Promenade in Douglas and overlooks the sea.
I made two visits to the Gaiety Theatre during my week on the IoM

I enjoyed last night at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas with
Steve Parrish on stage talking about his life and adventures

All I can say is the feeling must be so awesome that they put their life on the line every time they throw their leg over the seat of these incredible untamed machines. You have no idea how fast these daredevils ride their machines around a deadly road racing circuit, there is nothing else like it in the world.

It is that time again, I can smell the bacon & eggs cooking so I must finish off now.

Cheers
Warbo.

Tuesday - Isle of Man - Day #5

Tuesday 5th June - 2018

No racing today so plenty of other interesting things to keep me occupied.

My new friend, John Cannon departed the island this morning so I tagged up with my new co-pilot 82-year-old friend, retired race marshall, Sandra. She wanted to drive around the race circuit as she had not done so for a good few years.

I commenced the journey at the start/finish straight heading in a clockwise direction being the same way that the competitors race.

Flower tributes mark the spot on the Churchtown section where 
2015 Irish Superbike Champion rider Dan Kneen 
suffered fatal injuries from an accident on Wednesday.

My first photo [above] shows the spot where young Dan Kneen came to grief at Wednesday evening's practice session. As you can see by the heavily padded tree trunk further down the road, there is no room for a mistake.

Dan Kneen flying around the Snaefell Mountain Road section of the course

Nice words to remember Dan Kneen

Today’s drive around the circuit was much more dangerous than when we drove around the track on MAD Sunday because there was much less traffic today allowing all the testosterone charged men to go crazy on their flying machines. 

When you drive over the top of the mountain there is a section where the road turns into one way traffic with NO speed limit. That means there is no chance of a head on collision with on coming traffic so you can just imagine what happens.

A tribute to Victorian engineering, the 3-foot gauge Douglas Horse Tramway
has been operating on the Douglas Promenade continuously for 142-years.

We returned to the pit area as I wanted to try and purchase a ticket in the Grandstand where I should have watched the races from yesterday. All week they have said all sessions were booked out in all the Grandstands. So today I took the bit between my teeth & went back to the ticket  office to see if any thing had changed. 

Sure enough I purchased a ticket in the front row of the Grandstand where I wanted to be for only £15.00 a bargain, & what’s more nobody will be sitting in front of me. So for tomorrow’s racing I will be in a prime position all day, nice way to finish off the week of racing.

While walking through the pits I came across a couple of K9 Silky Terriers dressed in their Course Marshall outfits, I just hope that they are up to date with their First Aid courses & know how to use a defibrillator in case of an accident.

The Course Marshall Silky Terriers on K9 Patrol

Alternative accommodation are these tent camp sites that are also all booked out for the week, I suppose it would satisfactory if the weather is fine. However it sure would not be too much fun when it rains. 

Alternate overflow accommodation

Another place to visit is the Great Laxey Wheel, it is supposed to be the largest working water wheel in the world that removes water out of the mines, built back in 1857 or thereabouts.

The Laxey Wheel used for extracting water from the mines

Tonight the Royal Air Force's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows will perform their tricks at 7:45pm over Douglas Bay, the sky is blue with hardly any wind so I will walk down to the promenade & watch their display from the beach.

Tomorrow is Wednesday and my last day of racing, as I fly back to London's Luton Airport on Thursday afternoon.

No more for now.
Cheers 
KGW

Monday - Isle of Man - Day #4

Monday 3rd June 2018

Day #4 on the Isle of Man

Unfortunately it was another tragic day on the mountain, in the first race this morning (Supersport TT 600) 26-year-old Adam Lyon from Helensburgh, Scotland was killed on the fourth and final lap of his race, tragically it was his first & last time racing TT on the Island. 

I was listening to the race coverage over the PA system. The commentator was praising this rider because he was riding very well considering it was his first time here racing in TT, then in less than 3-minutes. Adam was dead.

Already two riders have been killed in the last few days, & there are still two race days to go before finishing on Friday with the Senior TT race.

As I have previously mentioned this circuit is not for the faint hearted, you need HUGE balls to race a motor bike or sidecar outfit around this dangerous road racing circuit. The 500 Grand Prix riders will not put a foot any where near this place because they say that it is just too dangerous and I can see why.

Looking down into the pit area where I was supposed to be sitting today.

Today did not work out for me with the 82-year-old ex-marshal lady, because there were no seats left in the Grandstand so she could not organise a seat for me as planned. 

No drama, John & myself watched the races from the Creg-ny-Baa corner & the main straight exiting that corner. In one of the photos with the punters sitting on the hedge beside the track you can see in the background the Creg-ny-Baa corner in the distance.

Where we sit on the hedge the bikes are traveling at over 150mph only a couple of metres away from you. 

Our great vantage point on the hedges as bikes zoom by.
The famous Creg-ny-Baa corner is in the far distance

9-month-old Lizzy the youngest TT fan with her ear muffs on, so cute

Part of the spectator's bike parking area

Tomorrow is another lay day so I have planned other things to do for the day.

John Cannon (my very best new Pommie friend) leaves for the mainland tomorrow, he resides in Hampstead just north of London.

Nothing else to report for now, all I can say is “Don’t die wondering”

Cheerio for the present.
KGW

Sunday - The Isle of Man - Day #3

Sunday 3rd June - 2018

Day #3 on the Isle of Man

Thankfully I have survived Mad Sunday here on the IoM. 

Yes, it was as crazy as everybody had told me. I was told by many people not to venture onto the mountain in my rental Nissan race car because of all the crazies that would be out there on their machines. Yesterday the weather was so good, I could not resist the urge to go out and mix it with the bikies, so I threw caution to the wind and joined in the fun.

In the first photo you can see detective John (my very best new friend) & myself standing beside Joey Dunlop’s memorial at the top of the mountain which is at the base of Snaefell Mountain Course (Bungalow), the only mountain on the Island, which is part of the famous Isle of Man TT motorbike racing circuit. 

Joey raced in the TT for many years and won it an amazing 26-times. His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000). Dunlop's name is amongst the most revered by fans of motorcycle racing. 

This iconic statue, coupled to Dunlop's somewhat shy and unassuming persona, has led to him being seen as a true working class hero. Joey is the King of the mountain, he is no longer with us, he was killed in a racing accident in 2000 in Estonia.

John (my very best new friend) & myself standing beside the Joey Dunlop
memorial at the top of the mountain.

Later on in the afternoon we managed to enjoy some liquid refreshments at O’Donnelle’s bar with some of the TT race fans back on the promenade in Douglas. (Check out the blue sky). 

Later on in the afternoon we managed to enjoy some liquid refreshments at
O’Donnelle’s Bar with some of the race fans back on the promenade in Douglas.
(Check out the blue sky).

There is an 82-year-old lady staying here at the Guesthouse (sharp as a tack). This is her 56th continual year of coming here to watch the TT races as a Race Marshal. She has decided this year to leave it to the younger ones to help with the running of the race.

Anyway, to cut a long story short she asked me yesterday over breakfast if I could drive her around the circuit on Tuesday morning in the Nissan race car.

I asked her where she sits to watch the races, to which she answers, oh! I have special privileges as to where I can sit. I sit in a small grandstand on the start/finish line where all the action is overlooking the pits. Of course my ears pricked up, so I suggested to her that maybe we could do a deal here, if I drive you around the track on Tuesday what are the chances of me joining you in that special stand on Monday to which she agreed.

On a non-race day the 37-mile long race track is packed with everyone
wanting to experience the thrills of the course. Especially the mountain section.

I have no idea what I have ahead of me today, she was also telling me over Brekko yesterday that she has seen Juan Fangio race, she has also met our Aussie motorcycle heroes Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan & Casey Stoner, so looks like I am in for a very interesting day.

The 1st race (Supersport TT 600) 4 laps kicks off at 1045 this morning, once that race is over the boys in their sidecars have a 2-lap practice session, then at 1415 the (Superstock TT 1,000) 4 laps.

Last night I went to see Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown at the Gaiety Theatre here in Douglas, he is a Pommie comedian, the theatre was packed to the rafters. Trust me this guy would have to be the dirtiest, raunchy, anti-PC person that I have ever seen, how he gets away with his performance in this day and age I will never know. (I loved it).

Roy 'Chubby' Brown an acid tongued anti-PC comic

Tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 7:30pm the Royal Air Force's Aerobatic Display Team, the Red Arrows, will be displaying their wares over Douglas Bay, can’t wait to see them perform. 

Should get me in the mood for my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel coming up on Tuesday the 12th June.

Guess what! It is that time of day again. I need to prepare myself for breakfast.

To be continued tomorrow, Cheers for now.

KGW

Saturday 2nd June - 2018

Saturday 2nd June - 2018

Day #3 on the Isle of Man

I have had many rushes in my life BUT nothing compares to sitting on a hedge beside the road on mountain straight with one of these (1,000 cc) Senior TT motorbikes hurtling past you at 180mph. You can virtually stretch your arm out and touch these daredevils as they fly past you. I have never experienced any thing like this in my life.

Today is the first day of the real racing, up until now these very temporary daredevils have been practicing their skills for grid positions on this unbelievable road racing circuit.
Forget about Mount Panorama, this place leaves it for dead (maybe I should not have used that term) because every year there are riders killed here.

Northern Island's Michael Dunlop averaging 133mph
for the 37-mile circuit. Hitting a breath-taking 191mph on the mountain straight

Yesterday I drove my Nissan (rental) race car around the 37-mile circuit with my very best new friend John Cannon (he is the guy that sat next to me on the flight over here to the Island and organised my accommodation). 

John informs me during our time spent together that he is a 30-year veteran Cop working in London. He is now a Detective, however he tells me that over his career he has worked in all departments of the Police Force in London, very interesting and nice guy.

The weather here on the Island is still great, so hopefully I should see some wonderful break neck speed wheel to wheel racing.

Me standing beside the Tyco Motor bike in their garage is the same
team that Dan Kneen (up and coming rider) rode for,
he unfortunately was killed in practice on Wednesday evening

My money is on Michael Dunlop (Team Tyco) from Northern Ireland on his 1000cc BMW, yesterday his top speed on the mountain straight was 191 MPH, averaging 133 MPH around this 37-mile circuit. It took him only 16.53 minutes to complete one flying lap, in Warbo’s Nissan race car it took me just over 1-hour to do the same distance, however you must remember that I had a Detective with me as pillion passenger so one had to behave one’s self, and as you know that is very difficult for me to do.

My tip to take out the crown in 2018, Michael Dunlop on his 
Tyco BMW 1000cc Superbike is momentarily held in position by the race starter.

The photo of me standing beside the Tyco Motor bike in their garage is the same team that Dan Kneen (up and coming rider) rode for, he unfortunately was killed in practice on Wednesday evening.

Viewing point for me today will be sitting on a hedge right beside the track at
Creg-ny-Baa. At least from this vantage point I will be able to see the bikes at a slower speed instead of just a flash screaming past.

Viewing point for me today will be sitting on a hedge right beside the track at 
famous Creg-ny-Baa Hotel corner.

The other photo is of one of the new electric Motor bikes, very interesting concept, however I am from the old school and just love to breath in the fumes and listen to the roar of the engines screaming at 12,000rpm, nothing will replace that feeling.

Enjoying my all-inclusive, daily English breakfast in the parlour
of the Strathmore Guest House on Clifton Terrace

Sorry folks, my English Breakfast (round the house) is due to be served by the landlady Elizabeth in 15-minutes. So l must finish off now and prepare myself for another spine tingling exciting day here on the Isle of Man.

To be continued.
Cheers for now.
Warbo.

Arrival onto the Isle of Man

Thursday 31st May - 2018

You probably will not believe the story that I am about to tell you, how is this for arse.

As you know I ventured to the UK with a plan of spending a week on the Isle of Man (IoM) for a week to watch the TT bike races with out any accommodation organised beforehand, not due to the lack of effort trying to organise a bed to sleep in from Australia for almost 3-months. I was informed that every thing was booked out, as per usual that did not worry me, l still went ahead and planned my trip.

Before I left Sydney my son thought that I was absolutely crazy along with heaps of others. Let the story begin...

On leaving the Holiday Inn at London Luton Airport the sun broke through the clouds, and it looked like it was going to be a nice day. I checked in for my EasyJet flight to the IoM a little apprehensive because I had no idea of the circumstances that would lay ahead of me.

I boarded the Airbus A318 aircraft (seat 8E) middle seat RHS of the aircraft wondering who on earth would be sitting next to me during the flight. A middle-aged gentleman sat in seat (8F) window, we started chatting to each other as you do. 

An EasyJet Airbus A-319 on short final for Ronaldsway Airport
on the Isle of Man

John informed me that he is an eight-time spectator here for the races, very experienced I thought. I told him my story and he just looked at me in amazement when I told him my story. He also mentioned that the Island is booked out because the races draw a crowd upwards of 50,000 people. During the taxi out before take off he mentioned that he would text the landlady that he stays with to ask her if she could accommodate a crazy Aussie that has no accommodation for the week that he is here. 

He received a reply before we actually took off. She told him that she could accommodate me for the 7-days at £42.00 per night (£294.00) for the week, (including an English Breakfast every day) thrown in & would that be alright. Needless to say I jumped at it, by comparison the Holiday Inn cost me £120.00 per night so I thought it was a bargain.

Welcome to Douglas, the capital and the largest town on the Isle of Man
with a population of 30,000

On the flight over he filled me in on every detail about the racing, where to watch the races, where to eat, etc. When we landed on the IoM the weather was absolutely perfect. After deplaning, I picked up my Nissan rental car and the two of us drove to the town of Douglas which is the main downtown area where all the action is. The guesthouse is located about 500 metres from the esplanade, perfect.

My accommodation is; the Strathmore Guest House. Proprietor: Elizabeth Lovell. 8 Clifton Terrace, Douglas, Isle of Man. Telephone contact: 01624 613662. I can highly recommend this place & it certainly comes at the right price.

My Guest House, Strathmore on Clifton Terrace in Douglas
My home for a week on the Isle of Man.

This afternoon I went for a walk along the promenade to find a bank to get some cash, because you cannot use English Pounds on the Island, this place is fully independent from Britain, they have their own Isle of Man Government and currency.

I had no idea how beautiful this place is, it reminds me very much of Ireland, lush green fields and the people are so nice & friendly. I have almost forgotten what I came here for.

On arrival I went for a stroll along the Promenade and into Douglas Harbour.
Here there are plenty of pleasure craft tied up inside the Douglas Marina.

Tomorrow morning I will drive around the track in my Nissan rental car, when there is no practice or racing underway you can actually drive around the 36-mile road racing circuit, how good is that. It takes the bikes approx 17-minutes to complete one lap averaging 130+mph. Don’t quote me now, I will have all the statistics once I start learning more about this incredible place.

I am so happy that I made the decision to make this trip against all the odds, this Island is a very special place on earth and I am here to experience the adrenaline rush watching these 1,000cc bikes traveling at speeds of 180mph only 1 metre away from you on the other side of the hedge, l can’t wait...

My Nissan rental car parked under a tree on
Marathon Road in Douglas

I asked John (my saviour) what the casualties were like at this track, he told me that several riders lose there life here every year, as a matter of fact there was a guy from the Tyco team killed last night in the practice session, I mentioned to him that the travel brochures do not give you those statistics and nor should they.

They also race the side car outfits around this circuit, I wonder how the boys from Winton would go here.

I was concerned that 7-days here on the Island would be a tad too long, however I can assure you that I will have no problems filling in the days ahead.

Nothing more for now. More live reports tomorrow.

Cheers

Ken W.

N.B. You can see my silver Nissan parked under the big tree, now that was a good move because it gives me total independence, and when I booked it back in Australia 4 months ago it was also a back up if I could not arrange accommodation, at least I did not have to sleep out under the stars.

London Luton Airport - Depart for The Isle of Man

Today I fly from London Luton Airport to the Isle of Man.

I have just taken these photographs from my hotel room window.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures.

Hopefully my EasyJet pilots later today can find their way to the Isle of Man (IOM). I would hate to think that they do a Malaysia Airlines flight with me on board this morning.

Let’s hope that their instrument landing certificates are current.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures

Thinking a bit further ahead, hopefully the weather improves for my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel on the 12th of June.

I have just checked on the weather forecast for the IoM over the next week. They have predicted that the weather will be good with no rain in sight. Well we will see about that.

Gotta go
Cheers

Warbo

London Luton Airport - Day 1

Wednesday 30 May 2018

It is now 1:00am local time on Wednesday morning here at London Luton Airport. I slept for 6-hours this afternoon after my flight into London, Heathrow from Sydney.

I went downstairs to reception so that I could print out my boarding pass for the flight to the IOM on Thursday. I went out side to check on the weather & as you can see by this photo, not very nice to say the least.

Early morning fog at London Luton outside my hotel room on Day 1

I managed to jag Business Class to Singapore on the Airbus A-380, then E/Y for the 13-hours flight from Singapore to London. The aircraft was absolutely chockers in all classes so I consider my self lucky that I did not get off loaded in Singapore.

I have 24-hours to kill before I depart for the IOM. on Thursday, so the concierge advised me to spend the day in Bedford tomorrow. Bedford is just a short train ride from here, so depending on the weather I will venture to The Standard Pub (used to be called The Hobgoblin) for lunch and then see what else is to offer. Let the fun begin.

Bye for now.
Cheers
Ken

Arrival into London

Tuesday 29th May - 2018

We arrived into London Heathrow 20-minutes late due to our late departure out of Singapore. 

From the time of our departure out of Sydney until we landed at London Heathrow - the total journey time was 26-hours.

My hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

I decided to catch a bus out here to London's Luton Airport instead of staying in downtown London Piccadilly for the 2-days. I am booked on EasyJet flight EZY166 to fly out of Luton to Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man.

I did that because I did not want the hassle on Wednesday morning of trying to make all the connections when I take my next flight to the IOM. 

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

The bus ride was one & a half hours from Heathrow.

I am settled into my room now after a very welcomed shower, this afternoon I will catch up on a little lost sleep.

As you can see by the photos the weather is overcast & and a cool 11ºc.

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

So for now “that’s all folks“

Cheers

KGW

Indy 500 - As I predicted, Will Power got the win...

My congratulations go to Will Power on winning the 102nd Running of the Indy 500.​ 

He is the 1st Australian to win this massive and most iconic motor race in the world, and to think my friend Collyn Crowhurst was at the race to witness this momentous occasion. 

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

A gorgeous Indiana day for the running of
the 102nd Indianapolis 500

My money was on Will to win this year as l predicted in one of my e-mails last week.

After 8 seasons in IndyCar - with 30 IndyCar victories and 40 poles - it was the last thing he was yet to accomplish.

Giving Team Penske owner, Roger Penske his 17th Indy 500 victory.

Fans on the frontstretch grandstands climb to their feet as the field takes
the green flag for the 102nd Indy 500

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

Right now l am packing my suitcase for my journey to the UK later today on Qantas.