Third time for us in succession this year, and sailing out of Heysham for the first time, which suits me as I'm very happy to avoid the hustle and bustle of Liverpool.

We cheat and drive a van up from East Sussex, park it up and take the bike across. Cheap and cheerful hotel booked in Morecambe Bay for Sunday May 29th, and on to the island Monday 30th. Holiday starts the minute we leave home !

Let's hope the crossing is less rough this year. We were fortunate to be on the last unaffected crossing last year just prior to the weather closing in and disrupting Steam Packet's schedule (not to mention the practice schedule)

Staying on the A1, just west of Ballacraine, at St. John's this year, so decent bus access to Peel and Douglas for the evenings (mid 40s now so Peel our preferred choice !) and very easy for me to join the circuit each and very morning where I ride the entire route before breakfast, on my faithful '98 VFR800. Love those early morning rides, although the mountain can be very foggy. Will often park up, perhaps at Parliament Square with a coffee, and just watch the other (earlybird) bikes. It's a great time to be out and the roads are quiet

We absolutely love this beautiful island, with such gems as Laxey, Port Erin, Calf of Man, Point of Ayre etc, and everywhere just a short trip away. The views from the west coast south of Peel, through Niarbyl and Dalby are stunning, and the sunsets are glorious.

For me, the trip it gets better with familarisation and so I am particularly looking forward to this year as everything just gets easier to plan, always helps when you know what you're doing !