Isle of Man Adventure

[Drummond Black]

25 very merry Jowetters have just set sail from Heysham bound for a exciting 5 days on the Isle of Man. They are accompanied by 1 Bradford Lorry, 3 Javelins & 8 Jupiters. All the Jupiters have their hoods down as the weather is fantastic. A running report of our antics will be relayed as we pick up WiFi hotelier. A lot of visits are planned during our trip. More later from Manx Land
The IOM reporter

[p.p.]

wish you lots of fun and enjoy the event
wish i would be attending the run....

peter

[Drummond Black]

Saturday 1st October 2011
Now that we have eventually found time to connect to WiFi A report on out antics since Thursday now appear below.
We landed on the IOM arround 5.30 pm. The weather was starting to deteriorate are the cars dissembarked. The traffic around the Ferry Terminal at Douglas was hectic (going home time). All managed to negotiate the route out of the town as we headed to the Murray Royal Country Club, our base for the duration of our stay, which was about 8 miles from the terminal. as we picked up the A5 road to Castletown the mist set in and on roads that are unfaimiliar to us all it was aa bit concerning that we may overshoot our target. Thank you for the large NEON sign that pointed all in the correct direction as we would definately have overshot the junction. Visability was about 75 metres on arrival. Checking in was greated with "Bucks Fizz" and laughter. Thursday evening was spent in the bar where we eat and relaxed. Some of the crew had been up since 4am. A positive comment was all the rooms were of a high standard.

FRIDAY 30thy nSeptember
What a transformation in the weather as we all gathered for breakfast with the sun and a blue sky greeting us. Our first gathering point that day was at the railway station in Douglas for the 12.10 special ( more later ). After breakfast cars were seen setting out in all directions to explore parts of the island. Now, the railway had recommended that we, the Jowett Club, assemble at the station by 11.15am where they gave us permission to park our cars on the platform adjacent to the train we would be leaving on. This was, indeed, organised in true Jowett fashion and it was a magnificent sight with 12 Jowetts arranged at an angle right down the middle of the platform with our steamtrain forming a backdrop. The our passengers were delighted as they arrived to board. We had the local radio, press and Manx television in attendance and of course plenty photographers. The IOM Railway dignatories also turned up and then decided to join us on the excursion. This was also an experimental trip for the railway as they were trying out two new carriages, one serving hot lunches, a first for them. During the hour and a half excursion to Castletown and back many of our party were interviewed for the local media, some has already been broadcast. Pictures will be added eventually.

On our return wesaid our goodbyes and all headed to our next port of call which was the military museum adjacent to Ronaldsway Airport where we all lined up the cars and were greated by the Curator who, believe it or not worked used to work in the Parts Department of the Grovener Garage in Bradford who were Jowett agents. He was a friend of the late Alf Feather. This musuem is located in two nisson huts and is crammed with Air, Sea & land based memoribily. Nearly two hour were spent as we were engrossed in all the exhibits. As we parted small Jowett tokens of appreciation were gifted to our hosts. Our next port of call was the craft and relaxation at Silverdale Glen where all enjoyed a well earned cuppa before playing on a water powered roundabout ( What a bunch of Kids we are !! ). We then returned to the Airport for a planned tour of the IOM met office. Now this visit was something else. We even met the Airport Director, a fiesty character who runs a really efficient establishment which the island is proud of.

The met office is manned 24 hour a day and 365 a year giving out data to the main UK met office on the hour every hour. I counter 16 computer screens all displaying different aspects of how we measure our weather patterns from Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed, Visability, Pressure, Cloud Base and many others. The two individuals present who were showing our group all the facilities were a down to earth jovial pair which definately added to the enjoyment of the visit. Various facts were relayed, some new to us and some that will definately WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. One question we received was how can you accurately measure a temperature of 100 degrees farenheit ?? Answers on a postcard to Sue Mason c/o the North West Section !!!!!! A very imformative and thoroughly enjoyably visit for which we thanks all involved by presenting them with Jowett mementos.

It was now after 7pm and some of our group decided to return to the hotel while 10 decended on a small pub/restuarant near the hotel driveway where the management had arranged for us to eat in a tent !!!, actually it was their very well decked out wedding marquee where they served us a fab meal and we definately had a " Goog Laugh " before returning to base around 10pm.

Right, thats the story so far. This morning the sun is a bit hazy but bright with no rain YET. Planning to do the TT course today so a report and update later - Maybe ???????????

The IOM Reporter

[Drummond Black]

SATURDAY 1st October 2011
The weather was better that forecast this morning and after breakfast over 50% of the party drove up the east side of the island to visit Laxey where a feat of Victorian engineering stands high on the hillside. The Laxey Wheel was constructed in 1857 to pump water from the local lead mine which had a massive flood problem. The water wheel inself is 72 feet diameter and can produce in excess of 200 horsepower. Most, with a head for heights, managed the climb to the top and then were rewarded with a magnificent view of the countryside. A few hours were spent in the area including a line up at the harbour where locals and visitors alike were asking questions regarding the cars.

At 1.30pm we all assembled at the grandstand which marks the start and finish of the TT course where we met local JCC member Chris Wordsworth with his 1927 dark blue Short 2 Jowett. This car is in beautiful condition and was well admired by our excited group.
Well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got to go now, More later

IOM Reporter

[Drummond Black]

Isle of Man - The last Chapter
I had to suddenly stop during my last report as we were due out and were running late. Later on when I went on line to report again the Hotel Wi-Fi was acting up so was unable to report from the Island. So to follow on :-

It was a bit damp as we all set off on our tour of the TT course, however the Jupiters had the hoods down hoping it may improve. We set off from the Grandstand which marks the start & finish of the TT Course leaving Douglas on the A1( Douglas to Peel road) and them turned right and the famous Balacraine corner and headed towards Kirkmichael. Malcolm Oliver had set up a visit to the ACE Motorcycle Museum which is located on the north side of Kirkmichael. Tony East, the owner, had opened specially for the club and we were ,indeed, indebted to Tony for this very kind jesture. This collection of motorbikes, dating back to 1926, has been painstakely collected and all renovated by Tony over the last three decades and forms an awsome display. Triumphs, Scotts, BSA,s Manx Nortons, Nortons and numerous other makes formed an impressive line up. We spent over an hour admiring this fabulous collection before enjoying light refreshments supplied by Tony's wife. Thanks and Jowett mementos were presented before we headed off to follow the TT course. The Motorcycle Musuem is at the 15 milestone of the 37.5 mile circuit. The route then took us through Sulby and the top of Ramsey before we tackles the famous " mountain Road". Climbing up from Ramsey on the A18 we soon hit the mist which forms part of the weather pattern of the IOM. You climb for over 7 miles to just after Bungalow, near the summit of Snaefell, before dropping down towards Douglas. A few temperature gauges were creeping up towards the 100 mark, however all the Jowetts made it successfully. The grandstand made a welcome sight as we entered Douglas before returning to our hotel.

Our formal dinner took place on the Saturday evening in the Mount Murray and local members, Chris & Jerry Wordsworth were also in attendance. I do not know if this was planned, however, it was commented upon that the Blacks, the Browns and the Whites were all sitting at the same table. !!!!!! This was a very pleasant evening and the food was very well presented and enjoyed.

We awoke to a very dismal Sunday, however, that did not deter visits being paid to various part of the island before our 1.30pm appointment with the IOM Car Club who had organised a run / observation run to the north of the island. The rain was very heavy as we set off with the Jowetts out numbering the local members !!!. The route took us over roads we DEFINTELY would not have considered but gave us the opportunity to see parts of the Isle of Man not frequented by visitors. ( Well - we would have seen the parts had the mist not been in attendance ). It did clear later as we headed northwards to the finish at the Lakesise Restuarant in Ramsey were pre-booked refreshment awaited us. The IOM club certainly made us very welcome and were very keen to examine our cars and vice versa. Apart from the Jowetts there was a Cadilac, a 1936 Vauxhall, a Triumph Stag, a Ford Anglia, MGB GT and a Bentley in attendance.

Daylight was fading as we left Ramsey for the 23 mile run back to our hotel. It was noted that Drummond & David Mason attempted to return via the mountain road, however Ruby & Sue firmly directed the Jupiters down the coastal route. A relaxed evening ensued in the hotel bar as our last night on the IOM was spent relating our experiences during our four day visit.

Fortunately Monday morning was dry as we all loaded up for the 1.30 pm ferry back " Across to the other Island " Most spent the remainder of the morning wandering around Douglas before making our way to the ferry terminal. Sea conditions were not perfect around the IOM causing delays to the incoming ferry. We eventually boarded 30 minutes late and were advised by the captain to expect a bit of turbulence !!!!!. We were returning on the Mannannan which is the largest Cataramaran in service on the Irish Sea. The return crossing was scheduled to take two and a half hours and during the first hour the conditions were severe. A few "green" faces were taking it easy as they found the rear area of the vessel was the least affected by the heavy swell. At one point during a safety announcement from the bridge all the items on our table were suddenly thrown onto the floor. As we docked at Heysham at 4.15 pm, goodbyes were said and all agreed it had been a fabulous trip. We had done and seen a lot in the four days and would definately return.

Thanks must go to our trip organiser, Sue Mason, who set up the event, made all the contacts, set up the bookings and kept up on the right track during out trip. We got very good publicity for the Jowett Car Club from all the media on the island with good coverage on local radio on the Monday morning. Other stories are yet to be related from our travels like the export of Kippers !!!, however you can all look forward to further reports in the Northwest Section Website and the Jowetteer.

Thats all from me folks - The IOM Reporter

[p.p.]

tanks for the IOM reporter thanks Drummond for the very nice report
peter