When we came over to the TT in my early years I can still remember that during the evening meals a chappy used to come in to the dining room to ask if anyone wished to go on the tour next day (in practice week) or go to a vantage point (in race week).

In those days coaches were parked along the promenade plying their trade and this mode of transport was the main if not only way of seeing the Island and getting to places like Creg-ny-Baa.

We paid, received a receipt and were collected after breakfast, all of us carrying the hotel-supplied packed lunch and rugs to sit upon.

There were Mystery Tours and trips out to Ramsey or Port Soderick, visits to the Ports Erin and St Mary or long days out travelling round the TT Course or round the Island. Eh Lad, we could enjoy ourselves in them days !!

Today we take motorcycles and cars over in the Roll on-Roll off ferries which take half the time the old steamers used to take !