It is hard to believe that on Friday last, we were in the Crinan Canal. It seems so long ago. Just over 140 miles later and here we are in Douglas waiting for some fair winds.

We’ve spent most of the day cleaning and doing laundry, and we will be here until at least Thursday and maybe longer. Having caught up with our schedule, this will put us back again. Looking ahead there are precious few marina’s in North Wales and anchorages of course are always weather dependant. The alternative is some more long passages or head for the Irish East coast.

For the moment our plan is to head for Beaumaris in the Menai Straits, that’s if we can trust the weather forecast. It will be a last minute decision.

The Isle of Mann meanwhile, is a strange place. It’s early August and half the attractions aren’t even open or only open at the weekend. Douglas has a long, long beach with promenade that’s in good condition. The gardens and flower beds are all well tended, there’s no litter, no dog poo, but it’s empty and soul less.

We did find the Manx museum, which is very well laid out and charts the history of the Island over 10,000 years.

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