One of our Manx highlights was the Castletown Tin Bath races. It's one of those events that people on TV travel shows seem to find, and the rest of us never see.
Taking place in the middle harbour, it's a big deal. OK the town isn't huge, but we found ourselves parking on a lane a good few minutes from the water. Not a problem, and when we arrived, it became obvious why. This is popular!
There are three main events. The first involves a rope strung across the water. Competitors take turns to ride along this, trying to drop into a giant rubber ring in the middle.
Then there are more giant rings for the snake racing. Several are tied together in a line, and the competitors lie in them and backstroke their way along. Quite how the steering works is a mystery, but it's all good, splashy fun.
Finally, the main event, which takes place in several heats during the afternoon - the tin bath races.
These are real tin baths, some decorated, with a bit of wood across the back holding a couple of big plastic bottles or fuel cans for extra buoyancy. Competitors have to row from one end of the harbour, around a buoy, and back again. This looks fun, if you like close proximity to dark, wet and cold water, but it's also hard work. Baths don't exactly sythe through the water!
Not all the competitors make it, and the local sub aqua club is on hand to pull people out of the drink, and just to be sure, the lifeboat is moored up with crews on board.
We all loved it. I'm sure there is modelling potential here, but I'll be happy with a fun afternoon at the races and some nice beer. Mum would have been even happier if the lobster buttie stand hadn't sold out by the time we found it though!
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