Isle of Man 4 December 2006 Les på norsk

Our manhood blew off in the Isle of Man

**LAXEY-WHEEL** This water-driven wheel was an engineering masterpiece in the mid 18th century. The dimensions are enormous. Together with several others, it drained water from the mines under the town, and it has been restored to perfect condition again, in the best of British tradition. Each wheel could drain 1,000 gallons of water per minute, and weighed several hundred tons.

ISLE OF MAN: The Isle of Man was under Norse rule from 979 A.D. up until the 14th century. Manx people are very proud of this. Peoples attitude, the nature and weather are very similar to that in Norway. The latter has lately been the worst for 20 years, according to local media.

FACTS ABOUT THE ISLE OF MAN

Isle of Man is a part of Great Britain, and the capital is Douglas.
Approximately 75,000 people live in the Isle of Man. Around 40,000 of them live in the capital Douglas.
Sea shell fishing, motorsports, banking and finance, and tourism are main industries.
Isle of Man has its own parliament and its own interior legislation. The parliament is called Tynwald (Norse: Tingvoll) and was founded by Vikings in 979 A.D. It is the oldest parliament in the world today.
The Isle of Man is a tax haven, and many large multinational corporations have offices in the island.
Every year the socalled TT-races are held in the Isle of Man. 20,000 motorbikes and 65,000 visitors come to the island from all over Europe. The race track is basically an ordinary road that is being closed for ordinary traffic. On the last day of the race "Mad Sunday" is held, and everybody and everything can race on the track as fast as they dare, for an entire day. Even tractors with hangers are supposed to have been spotted among the participants!
Bank cards are accepted in most shops, and there are ATMs everywhere. The price level on food and drinks is half of that in Norway.

(Source: www.visitisleofman.com )

**GREAT SURF** The weather has been terrible during our stay in the Isle of Man, with wind speeds up to hurricane strength. Here, Finn Olav has been out for a swim near one of the break-waters in the town of Peel, where Underveis is now awaiting favourable winds Click here for animation.

**WHITE WHISKY** The whisky in the Isle of Man is white, but it tastes like whisky nonetheless. They are not allowed to call it whisky as such, but everybody know what it is. In the background Peel castle, which dates back as early as the 7th century. The Vikings came her in 979, and expanded the fortress, today a tourist attraction.

**DEPRESSION** A new record has been registered as to low pressure on our voyage, as we reached 950 millibars. We put out all the fenders we had, used all the ropes and chains, closed all hatches and stayed below deck.

THE THREE LEGS OF MANN: The crest of the Isle of Man is very characteristic. And it reflects the strength inherent in its inhabitants. - No matter which way you push us, we are still standing, they say, eyes glowing with ardour.

As we sat in an internet cafe in Douglas, we started talking to Pete Geddes, Sue Jones and Mike Body. Mike has lived in South Africa for many years, and we plan to call on him when we reach South Africa in two and a half years time. Pete has lived all his life in the Isle of Man, and was very excited when he heard that we were from Norway. - I met your King Olaf when he came here to celebrate the millennium anniversary for the parliament of Isle of Man in 1979. We were going on board to help him tune his TV into the British Network, and we spent all day on board his ship, the "KS Norge". He then invited us for lunch, and spoke perfect Oxford English. He was really a nice man. It was a memory for life, says Pete. We also visited glass sculptress Julie Anne Denton, who met on the town one night. She has a studio on the southcoast of the island, and she invited us there to show us how she works. And she performed magic on those glass sculptures!

As we speak (04.12.2006) we are waiting for the weather to clear out, so we can get moving. We are going to Brest, and then to Paris to visit some friends, and we hope to be able to get to Southern Spain for Christmas. Todays weather forecast says that we may be able to get going on Friday, but we will have to see. We originally thought that we would be able to leave today, but it didnt work out. In the mean time, we are having a great time. We have been to a meeting in the local photograpic society, we have been eating dinner in "Big Al" and his wonderful girlfriend Paulas home in Laxey, we have written articles and stories. And we are looking forward to Christmas, wherever we may be spending it.

**ELEGANT** The sculptures she makes, are being sold to tourists and Manxpeople alike. She also travels extensively, conducting workshops for art students who wish to work with the art of glass sculpturing. Like most Manxpeople she loves her native island. - I lived elsewhere for 10 years, but in the end I had to return home. This island has a way of reeling you back in again, she says laughingly.

NORSK

Isle of Man, 04.12.2006