IOM4
Isle of Man- Day 4
SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST 2020: A fry up for breaky today, ahead of my final day of walking, indeed the day I return home. My plan is to go from Port St Mary to Port Erin, “Round the Sound”, the most southern point of the IOM and celebrated as a route with particularly scenic cliffs and coast. The route is again part of the RNF
I catch my bus to Port St Mary, another small fishing village, based around the harbour area and walk along the bay and through the village in the morning sunshine. Soon I am out on the cliffs, but glancing back every now and again to catch the scene. I can see all the way back across the island to Castleton. I do like it when you can see large panoramas spread out like a map in front of you
Leaving that behind I enter The Chasms, a walled off cliff top area, covered by heather and gorse, but riddled with large fissures, meaning you need to be careful where you step! Having negotiated the gaps, I sit for a while on (near) the cliff edge watching the birds swoop and swirl around the cliffs and ‘Sugar Loaf’ stack. With the warm sun and blue skies it is serene
From the Chasms there is a stretch of walking along high, sheer cliffs towards the Sound, with initial and then frequent views of this, including the Calf of Man, a small island sitting across from the point, which is off-limits to people…for the birds only. This gets a wow from me. As I near I can see a group of kayakers crossing the straits in between, looks to be some strong currents. That looks fun
A steep descent and I reach the Sound Café. With this being accessible by car it attracts the crowds and indeed it is busy on a lovely weekend day like today. I did think about a full on meal, but opt for cake and a drink instead, sitting outside and people watching
As I set off on the final leg I spot some movement in the water and realise there are seals, a few playing around in the waves. Nice
The last 2 to 3 miles of walking, hugging the cliffs, take me into Port Erin, with Milner’s Tower soon becoming visible on the horizon, this where I started a few days ago. Whilst I have not completed the RNF circuit, it does make it feel like some form of closure to the journey
Todays walk was 9 miles, with 2000ft ascent, and was just as good as advertised, a sublime cliff based walk, with perfect weather to boot
Reaching Port Erin I head back up to the top of the beach and locate the train station. Again my timing is perfect as there is a train, which is only running every 2 hours, about to depart. This is a vintage steam train, running for 16 miles between Port Erin and Douglas. I have my own carriage and feel like a King as people wave as we pass by! The enjoyable 1 hour journey passes quickly and is a fitting conclusion to my trip
Back in Douglas I revert to the modern traveller, collecting my bag and returning to the airport where Aurigny fly me home
