BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man

Subject: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 02:55 AM

I am going to spend my holiday in northern England and on the Isle of Man this year.
I will fly into Manchester on 26th July and leave from there on 24th of August.
I intend to ride my bicycle to Liverpool first and go to Isle of Man for a few days. After that, nothing is planned yet.

If anyone is interested in meeting, please tell me!

MudGuard

PS: Noreen, did you get my 2 PMs and my email?

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: smallpiper
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 03:52 AM

Get yourself to Whitby the fetsival runs 16th - 22nd August you will meet loads of Catters there.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Bassic
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 04:13 AM

August is packed with events,               http://www.frootsmag.com/content/festivals/    is a good place to start and lists most things. Then keep your eye on the various threads "Who`s going to Whitby/Beverley/Broadstairs etc etc etc." which will give you a flavour of how popular the event is amongst `Catters. Whitby and Broadstairs are my two main ones this Summer but will also be trying to get to Rothbury and one or two others as funds allow. Good luck with your trip and hope to see you somewhere during August!!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Schantieman
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 05:46 AM

Hi, Andreas

I'm in Liverpool and would delighted to meet you. I'll be at Warwick when you arrive but back home some time the week after. I could show you the sights and - maybe - convert you to English beer!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 09:55 AM

If your in the Manchester area at all give me a yell. PM here for details or email on [e-mail].

Good luck for your visit anyway.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 10:42 AM

Hi Andy, yes and I've replied (at Irish pace rather than German pace, sorry).

Can find some events where you're likely to meet other mudcatters, if you wish.

I'll look after you :0)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 11:01 AM

Smallpiper, Whitby sounds good and possible for me - at least the first days - I have to cycle back to Manchester and be there on the evening of 23rd August...

Bassic, thanks for the festival list. Most of them are either at the wrong time or too far away (the range of a cyclist is limited...)

Schantieman, I will try to contact you when come back from the Isle of Man (if you send me a PM or mail with details).

Dave, I will definitely be in Manchester on 26th of July, probably also on 27th.

Noreen, sorry I was impatient - I wanted to book flights on Monday (and have done so - more answers see PM which I will send you in a minute.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 11:43 AM

I'm planning to be at Whitby too.

Hills there though... you got lots of gears??

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 12:41 PM

21 gears - but gears are not the most important thing - you need muscles!

Btw, it is really just hills in England. I have crossed real mountains - been across the alps (up to 2509meters above sea level) on my bike...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 01:02 PM

We've nothing like the Alps over here in Yorkshire. If you can manage those, you can manage anything we can put in your way! The North Yorkshire Moors (near Whitby) are more or less plateau moorland (heather and bracken) - once you're up there is reasonably good going.

You'll cross the Pennines between Yorkshire and Lancashire though. These are hills but higher than the Moors. Just need to add a bit of time to your estimate, but nothing serious to a 'proper' cyclist.

Whitby Folk Week is the premier folk event in the North of England (or perhaps the whole of the UK, or Europe - depends who you're listening to). There are hundreds and hundreds of events - concerts, dances, sessions, singarounds, workshops, everything. Apart from that, Whitby is a wonderful town, steeped in history.

Accommodation is often a problem, though. Most people book holiday cottages or bed and breakfast from year to year and it's hard to just turn up and get accommodation. You might get camping or hostel space though, especially if you don't mind being a short distance away.

Pop back here and check to see if any kind Mudcatter has a spare bed in Whitby for Folk Week

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 07:04 PM

Well, I'm sure i could find some sessions for you in the Isle of Man!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 03:18 AM

Guest, that would be very nice of you!

Are you living on the Isle of Man?

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 03:51 AM

Saturday and Sunday night eh? Our club (Swinton) is on Mondays but I am sure we can find you something good. Irish session at the Jolly Angler is on a Saturday if I remember rightly and isn't the Open Door on a Sunday anyone?

Anyhow - you are more than welcome to B&B for yourself and a shed for your bike:-) Just get in touch if you want to take me up on it.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 02:33 PM

Get yourself to Whitby Andreas!!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 03:12 PM

Linda, I will try!

Problem might be to find a place to sleep - I do not have a tent with me, and I can't book anything now, as on a cycling tour too much could happen that prevents me from arriving at a certain date...

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Shonagh
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 04:12 PM

Mudguard, (the guest was me by the way!) I dont actually live in the IoM but have been across before and have plently of mates over. I'll ask them about any sessions or festivals ( althought i think Shennajhs has just finished) going on when you are over. sho x

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 04:36 PM

Thanks in advance, Shonagh, that would be very nice!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 05:12 PM

Andy, that is a shame, as you arrive we are also arriving but in the Netherlands,cycling for a month, and as you leave, we are arriving back in the UK. We will miss you.But have a great time

Cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 05:15 PM

Thanks, Erik, have a nice holiday yourself! We will meet next May anyway - already got the ok from my boss for the days off work ;-)

MudGuard/Andy

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:08 PM

Whoo hoo!! Can't wait til next May then!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:13 PM

Hello Liz, this summer, I fly into Manchester directly, so no chance to drop in at your place...

MudGuard/Andy

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:53 PM

One more questions:

My maps show a ferry connection from Douglas (Isle of Man) to Heysham and to Fleetwood. But I can't find any info (time tables) for these connections, only for the connection Liverpool-Douglas.
Do these connections exist at all?

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Gareth
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 06:38 PM

Well Butty , should you detour via South Wales, there is a bed at your disposal.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 06:59 PM

Thanks, Gareth, but South Wales is not included in my plans for this year - on a bicycle it is too far...

(just noticed - in my last post it should be "question", not "questions")

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 03:38 PM

http://www.ferryclever.co.uk/gatewaypages/iom-ferries.html

try this link. I beleive ferries go at about 07.30, 14.00 hrs Andy.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 03:44 PM

http://www.cheap-ferries.co.uk/timetables.htm

Or try this.

Cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 04:27 PM

Thanks Eric,

the first link results in
Timetable not available for requested Route/Date - Please reselect
when I select Douglas - Heysham.
And the same on the second link (seems to access the same database - the error message looks exactly the same)

So what does that mean?
Are there no ferries going or are they just too stupid to display the timetable on the web page?

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 04:57 PM

Hi Andreas,
While I can't understand why you should want to avoid the cultural delights of Liverpool, and travel from Heysham (which has absolutely no known features of interest), it is possible for you to do so. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company runs a regular ferry service which can be booked online here The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in the cyber age!, but the Seacat® service (=hydrofoil high-speed ship) only runs on the Liverpool-Douglas route, not via Heysham.
If you do change your mind and decide to pass through Liverpool it would be nice to see you again.
Matthew

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 04:58 PM

All the Irish Sea crossings have changed regularly in the last few years, Andy. I'll ring a travel agent tomorrow and find out for you.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 05:17 PM

Matthew, I will go to Liverpool and go to Isle of Man from there.
But on the way back from the Isle of Man I was thinking of maybe taking the Douglas-Heysham route as I want to go to the Lake District, it might safe me some kilometersmiles ;-) of cycling.

At the moment, I plan to go from Manchester to Liverpool on Monday the 29th.

And yes, Matthew, it would be nice to meet again!

Noreen, the link Matthew gave says there will be ferries to Heysham - two or three each day, so no need for you to find out as I did already!
But thanks for the offer!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 05:37 PM

OK- our posts crossed.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 06:13 PM

OK Andreas, I think I've begun to understand your itinerary.
    Cycling through Cheshire and Lancashire is a treat as John J would confirm, so your trip from Manchester to Liverpool should be very enjoyable. Most of the local folk clubs close during late July and August, so I don't know what singing or music sessions will be available.
    If you are looking for somewhere to stay on Merseyside before you sail to the Isle of Man you are most welcome here. You can email me at "matthew.rwedwards[no.spam]btopenworld.com"
(*Replace [no.spam] with "@")

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 04:31 AM

Does anyone know if the P&O ferries from Fleetwood still go to the IOM? I can find a route to Larne (Which gives me an idea for my hols next year:-)) but I can't find details of any Fleetwood/Douglas sailings?

Clansfolk - you there? Anyone?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From:
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 05:27 AM

I think they only go in high summer months, but will find out. Are you after doing the TT course Dave?

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Partridge
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 05:34 AM

Andreas,I might be able to find a spare couch for you in Whitby, but I don't know how long it is! but its got to be better than the caravan floor,

Pat x

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:17 AM

Partridge, thanks for your offer, but Noreen + Linda have already offered me a cottage floor space + air mattress + sleeping bag!

MudGuard/Andy

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:35 AM

Pat- he obviously thinks he can cope with sleeping at Linda's feet again... he may change his mind! *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 09:23 AM

This time, I know what to expect - and I will come prepared (grinding my knife at the moment...) ;-)

A long floor space is better than a short couch ;-)
And most couches are too short for my 6'4" ;-)

Andy/MudGuard
(looking forward to this trip!)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 09:35 AM

You never know, Eric. Bit late for this one though...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 12:32 PM

No Dave, get on the island and give the bike a real thrash round the course-it's a great ride, especially with a sidecar stuck to the side!(and a screaming Mrs V !)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in Hull during Whitby...
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jun 03 - 02:34 AM

Is by chance any of the many Hull (or is it Hull9?) catters not in Whitby on Wednesday, 20th August or Thursday, 21st August?

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 05:13 AM

Getting very excited, only a few days to go! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 07:08 AM

If you can make it to the Open Door on the Sunday it'll be great to meet you......

Love.......Harry and Sara.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 07:22 AM

Matthew suggested the Open Door as well.

Let's see which plans Dave has made for me ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 07:28 AM

Open door sounds good to me as well:-) See you Saturday.

:D

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 07:47 AM

Ok, then Open Door it will be!

Yes, see you Saturday, not too late afternoon - looking forward to it very much!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 01:17 PM

Ok, northern England, beware!

I am coming!

In less than 9 hours (at 4am in the morning) I start for the Munich Airport...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 12:16 PM

He's here! Been up since 3am so a bit tired but just done the grand tour of Manchester and Salford. Anyone wanting to get in touch let me know.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 03:16 AM

In Salford at the house of Dave the Gnome
I felt very welcome - I felt at home!
By Elaine and Dave like a prince I was fed
and Stewart even let me have his bed.
But Amy and Cathy I could not tell apart
even though I tried to really hard...
Now what I really want to say:
Thank you for a pleasant stay!

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 06:53 AM

TeeHee - Thanks Andy:-) Now if only I could get Molly Malone out of my head...

Visited the Open Door last night and had a grand night. Thanks Bernard, Harry, Mark and everyone.

Keep in touch, Andy, even if it is on this thread. Let us know how the tour is going and invite us to the Lake District slide show!

Cheers

:D

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 04:21 PM

Made it safe to Port Sunlight (though not dry).

Got a great welcome from Matthew and another lovely meal!
And a tour of the west side of the Mersey.

Tomorrow I take the ferry to the Isle of Man...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 04:57 PM

Glad to see you got here safely and are being well looked after, Andy.

Keep us informed of how things are going.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:26 AM

I've just sent him on his way to the land of the three-legged Man and of cats without tails. I've fed and watered him as best I could, but not enough to keep him going till he joins Noreen and Linda in Whitby - so I hope other Mudcatters en route will set up feeding stations!

Nice to have seen you again Andy! and it was great to hear you singing on Sunday at the Open Door. Do keep us all informed of your progress, and have a great holiday.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 09:22 AM

OK Andy, you're singing at the Tap & Spile in Whitby!

No excuses now you're an experienced pub singer :0)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,MudGuard w/o cookie
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 03:02 PM

Hello, still alive after having left the Isle of Man...

Am at Langdale YHA right now...

For Matthew (thanks and everything):
On my bicycle I did ride
To the fair city of Port Sunlight
Where I was allowed to spend the night,
got food that was a real delight
vegetable and a piece of porc,
deliciously prepared by the Duke of York ;-)

Probably going on to Wastwater tomorrow, Buttermere after that...

And no, I am not an experienced pub singer - the masses at the Open Door overruled me (at least concerning the speed of the song...)

cu soon in Whitby...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 04:02 AM

Thanks for those lovely rhymes Andy. We missed you last night at the Open Door. Be careful cycling in this heatwave - I got a touch of sunstroke after 6 hours in the Welsh hills on Saturday! Wastwater and Buttermere should be good, but I seem to remember that some of the hills had only uphill slopes so you will need all your gears.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 05:03 AM

Don't try a dip on Wastwater if you get too hot Andy. It's a lot deep and very cold! Sprinkling tarn at about 1000' up the valley between Scafell and Great Gable is worth dipping your tootsies in though:-)

Try a ride on little Ratty out of Ravenglass if you get chance and have a good scout about Eskdale as well. Very pretty indeed.

How did you enjoy the Isle of Mann btw? Keep us posted.

Cheers

:D

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 09:09 AM

I think you will have already gone past, but if at Chapel Stile,Langdale, lay a flower on the grave of William Irwin, the great fiddler.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:15 PM

Hope all is still going well, Andy.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,MudGuard w/o cookie
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 07:36 AM

Still alive, in Penrith Library for the moment...

Will definitely be in Whitby on Saturday, early afternoon probably...

cu soon...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 10:20 AM

Me again.

Will arrive in Whitby sometime on Saturday afternoon,
can't say exactly when - I will come from Aysgarth Falls - about 95km west from Whitby...

cu soon!

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Noreen
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 12:07 PM

I'll wait for your call, Andy :0)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 12:20 PM

Coincidence Andy! The weekend after your stay here we were in West Witton - The next village along from Aysgarth! If you see this I would heartily recommend a visit to the gardens at Castle Bolton. The castle itself is OK but dunno if it is worth paying the admission. The gardens though are free and although small very good indeed, with spectacular views.

Enjoy:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,MudGuard w/o cookie
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 06:54 AM

Hello Dave,
I did go into the Castle (it's 1 Pound less for YHA members...)
And I went to the gardens as well.
And I did both of it BEFORE I read your message!

Btw, I finally arrived in Whitby, having a great time.
And I also met Antonia, she is sitting opposite on a different computer at Whitby Library.

MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 07:18 AM

Hello Andy MudGuard, Hull is very quiet! 9they all are in whitby], I'm setting of later, i'll be in Tap and Spile at about 7PM.john

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,MudGuard w/o cookie
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 01:12 PM

Made it safely to York...

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 03:44 PM

Ah Andy, when you log on next. We must have been close today. We just today returned from Holland. Just under 1000Km this year, but the weather was very hot. Bear in mind that my Freja is only 10 years old, she cycles really well fro her age. We had a great time.

Cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 05:35 PM

Made it safely back home!

More after some (much needed) sleep...

MudGuard

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 04:44 AM

Glad to see that you've returned safely, and survived Whitby!! Now let's have your full report, with photos!!!
It was nice to have met again, and it sounds as if you had a good holiday.

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 05:09 AM

And he did sing in the Tap and Spile!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 07:22 AM

Matthew, photos will take a while - I did not bring the digital camera, just the old-style analogue SLR with slide films - I will take them to the shop for developping in a few minutes...

And Herga: Pssssssssssssssssssssst, don't tell the world... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 12:13 PM

But we heard you, Andy!
In Dublin's fair city

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: MudGuard
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:33 AM

And I thought it was in Whitby... ;-) ;-) ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: MudGuard in northern England/Isle of Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:44 AM

Well done that man! Come back soon, Andy.

Cheers

DtG