Day Out - Abroad for the crew of OV P08 Dxpedition to the Isle of Man
So even though I got out of my pit at about 6am, thinking that that was early! Well actually in pain with a throbbing finger, but thinking what the hell, up early and ready to help the guys out today with their trip around the island, little did I know that there idea of an early start was midday! Well not really by there was a few German radio amateur magazines around that had pictures in them, so at least I had some Ham Porn to look at!
Rainer (DG5SBK) looking as though he is still sleep walking!
Once everyone was up, fed and watered, we all left the comfort of Eary Cushlin for a day out and about in the Isle of Man.
First off was a trip to the T-Shirt shop in Douglas to collect the crews new T-Shirts, certainly a worthwhile start to the day.
A photo of ‘John’ one of the many shire horses pulling the horse trams on Douglas promenade.
Mike Birchall (2D0GBM) arriving with his guard dog!
Everyone decided to meet up at the T-Shirt Shop on the Prom to empty their wallets a bit to make the plane flight back a little lighter!
Claus arriving means that the second part of the trip out can start!
The Point of Ayre.
After a nice long drive around the coast road from Douglas to the Point of Ayre to see the northern most tip of the Isle of Man, and you could not have asked for a nicer day to see the lighthouse with the sun out in full blast and not a cloud to be seen, just perfect.
This meant a lot of walking….
It must be the sun as everyone started posing for the camera!
From the Point of Aire, a few of the team went their own way whilst we made our way to visit a local radio amateur on a pre arranged visit, but as we were a little on the early side, we decided to stop off for a libation…
So after a beer and a good chat we made our way to Bobs!
Visit to Bob Barden MD0CCE
After perfect weather and a great trip to the Point of Ayre, we made our way back to Ramsey to meet up with one of our most prolific contest stations here on the Isle of man, that of Bob Barden (MD0CCE).
The Contest Station end of the Shack (this was in the middle of being sorted out).
The Tour goes outside into the garden where to mast sits!
Bob raised the Titanex 160M Vertical for the guys to see.
The subject even got round to Tattoo’s, not that I think Bob has any, but he was quite taken back with Erwin’s Commitment!
A final chin wag before leaving under the SteppIR.
Bob has been there as a good friend to me and has always been able to offer me some great advice and help over the past few years that I have known him, he is someone that I will always find time for as he has with me. Most of the crew of OV P08 DXpedition knew of Bob and his MD0CCE callsign and were very grateful to have the chance to meet him, and they were given the guided tour of his home and contest station and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
And Bob if you are reading this, I would personally like to pass on my own thanks for letting the Germans into your home and showing them around, they never stopped talking about it all night long…..
The Trip Back
The Many Wood Carvings along the road to Tholt-y-Will Glen.
I decided to take the crew back through to the Snaefell Mountain Road via the Tholt-y-Will plantation to see one of the prettier sides of the Isle of Man and the wood carvings that are by the road side as you go down to the glen.
This might have been a bad idea as we sore another side of Claus – Claus the Train Spotter!
The Perfect end to a Perfect Day!
Everyone enjoying a really good meal at the ‘Waterfall’ pub in Glen Maye.
Mike arrived at the end for a quick chat with Claus.
Sadly for me this was all I took of the guys, my finger was causing me a lot of grief and pain to the point where I was unable to make to trip from home to Eary Cushlin, so please except my apologies for not being there to help pack up the kit and also to take more photos.
On a side note. I really hope to see the guys again some time.
