From Douglas IOM to Cockermouth- Cumbria

It was an early start to the day as the ferry is leaving at 1000 and you have to be there at least 1.5 hours in advance and so at 0650 we were up and having that required cup of tea and showering and getting ready for breakfast.

Breakfast was quick couple of slices of toast before settling the Hotel bill and then leaving at around 0755 for the 15-20 minute drive to the ferry port. Well we got there really early and were the first car plus there was a couple of vans and |I hoped, in vain, that first on meant first off, but No.  We had to go through security check including opening the front bonnet and asked a few questions about did we have guns, nuclear weapon or any hostages to which we said Of course not.   We then hung around for about 80 minutes as the number of cars increased and eventually we were allowed to board the catamaran which is the quicker of the two ways to UK for the IOM.

So by arriving first we were put at the top end of the boat which means we were to be the last off. The vessel was quite busy with lots of walk on passengers with lots of young ladies no doubt going to Liverpool for the famed nightlife, but we could be wrong but the vessels was quite busy and rather noisily and so any ideas of additional sleep fell by the wayside. We arrived in Liverpool at 1225 and although we were the last to leave it only took less than ten minutes so no complaints.

We hit the road going North to Cockermouth where we have booked to stay in Premier Inn for three nights whilst exploring the lakes. The journey was very nice indeed with lots of hills and the sun was mostly shining and we passed by a couple of smaller lakes and eventually arrived at the Hotel and checked in.

As we had both been on a diet for the last few days we decided that read meat would be good and we located Blocks Steakhouse in the town ad we both had the Sirloin and agreed it was excellent and so a good place to know.

The back to Hotel to plan out next few days travel before moving to Settle where we travel on the famous Carlisle to Settle train said to be one of the most beautiful train journeys .

And so to bed