Neala on Ellan Vannin – EXPO 2010

Although Malahide Scouts have camped on the Isle of Man many a time , this would be a first on how they transported the whole troop to the Island.

Later that evening 3 yachts and one motor launch with 17 watch leaders and scouts  slipped their moorings at Malahide and headed down the estuary on the evening tide in to the Irish Sea towards Rockabill.

By now darkness was setting in and not long off Rockabill a dim light in the North Eastern Horizon appeared .It was our direction and beacon to the Calf of Man. Wind picked up from the South West which made the sea lumpy. To continue and steady the roll engines were turned on and motor sailed through out the night . Fishing boats appear in the dark like lit up Christmas trees.

Light appeared in the sky with the coming of an early dawn .Visibility was now very poor with a thick fog covering our surrounds and the Isle of Man. Navigation was still possible with Sat Nav on the screen.

Back on the site the shore crew had erected tents and prepared the site for an early arrival of the boats crews .Heavy rain had prevented all tents up by the first night.

All boats now arrived off the Port of Peel and had to wait awhile ,while they called up on their VHF Channel 12 to gain access to Peels inner harbour , through the harbour gate.

The days on camp unfold with a new adventure everyday . Kayaking in the morning always followed by a swim. The off site activities rolled in  gorge walking , commando course ,archery and zip wire.

Three new scouts to our troop also had a first as they were invested on the fore deck of Annie Bennie.

Getting around the Island was always a fun adventure whether by the bus or the Manx Electrical Railway. The Island is ideal for Scout camps with opportunity of good camping sites , easy and cheap public transport  , hill walking , kayaking and stepping back in time on the trams.

We camped at Glen Wyllin near Kirk Michael on the West side of the Island. The camp was for 9 days which passed quickly. The return passage for the sailors was Peel with an over night at Ardglass Co.Down .This crossing took 6 hours . Early next morning we started the 2nd leg for Malahide  taking us 11 hours .The return journey was longer. As the week closed we were searching for a window of good weather that came in two half’s.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to  Skipper Padraic Somers of Annie Bennie , Skipper Robert Murphy of Gisselle ,Skipper English-Boyle of On the Rocks , and Skipper Eamon Mc Gratten – Mandown.