Milntown House and Curraghs Wildlife Park
Wednesday, 20th April 2022

Gate

In the morning the wet sand of the beach is like a wounded mirror, hinting at the scenery reflected in it.

Another wander into Port Erin, we went round the railway museum by the station - celebrating the heroes whose efforts meant there is still a steam railway operating here. Virginia bought some cards at a bookshop surviving in Port Erin - a bookshop moving with the times as it had a manga section. We walked over the beach avoiding a tractor at work perhaps raking up seaweed. There's a mock lighthouse at one end.

Milntown

We got more supplies, and had a cup of coffee back at base before setting off to Milntown House and Gardens, a very photogenic white house surrounded by photogenic trees. The cafe kindly accepted us despite no booking, and we sat on a bench outside in the shade. The hot chocolates and light bites were ample, particularly as the fish and chips had mushy peas. The gardens were a good wander though the vintage motor museum was a little of an overstatement. I expected more than 3 or 4 cars.

IMG 2370

Milntown House and Gardens is some distance from Port Erin so on our way back it seemed like a good idea to drop into Curraghs Wildlife Park which we had passed coming. Plenty of people there but not so many animals. It had a Colditz like feel after the great escape. No red pandas visible, no Eurasian lynxes, no golden backed lemurs - we overheard someone saying they had been a lot of times and never seen one. We saw the penguins at least.

We had a Chinese takeaway tonight delivered to us by the South Asia takeaway in Port Erin. Paid in cash but got a Manx 5 pound note in exchange! Will have to aim to use this before we leave the Isle of Man!