As usual I was first in the queue for the ferry.........

We left Liverpool in a high wind on a rough Mersey. The Super Seacat2 leapt from wave to wave and the sky above us was grey and ominous.

Yet out to sea the sky changed to a gorgeous blue and even though the wind was still blowing hard we felt that we were heading out to good weather....

A full Manx Breakfast came in handy and I met Arnaldo Wittemberg who was coming over with the MV Ago was to ride in the Lap of Honour in his van.

In very short time, the Island came into view and even with a headwind we made the crossing in good time.

Once I was off the ferry, I drove up to the new Windy Bend to see just how much it had changed since 2005.

Then I went to see the TAS tent to see if Bruce Anstey was about. I said hello to Hector Neill.

Finally I went up to Onchan to see Steve Hislops statue and to see how the garden round it had grown.

In the evening, there was practice in the high wind.