First Practice at the TT

Well I can't say much about the weather without censoring. I haven't got past the Road Closed board at the foot of the Mountain Course due to the high winds, fog or rain, although Monday night at 6.25pm the first timed practice kicked off and those guys managed staggering speeds, literally flying over the Snaefell road. Marshalling gives you THE best views. How they did it in high winds, I've no idea .. I took the coast road from Douglas to Ramsey, via Laxey, and my bike was lifted off the ground twice in a second by the gusts coming inland .. fairly scary even at only 50/60mph, forget 150mph!

Marshalling at Kerrowmoar, a few points before Ramsey, my stretcher skills came into use, unfortunately for one of the marshalls who fell over running to the aid of a retiree sidecar. Trivial compared to the unfortunate and devastating high-speed incident of James McBride, who is still in Nobles Hospital with major fractures, but alive. The sidecars were delayed and lost half their session time with the all new shiny orange (??) Audi TT Roads Open vehicle finally having to go around back of the Gorse Lea area to proclaim the practice session over.
[Big thanks to wonderful Vera who allows marshals full use of her house, garage & driveway throughout the TT season, despite being barely able to walk.]

I was introduced to more of Ramsey yesterday. After holding the Rain Flag at Sky Hill I joined a mass of Sector 8 Marshals at the Trafalgar & the Ellan Vannin pub which offers free 1st beer & a taxi home to all Marshals, despite it being staggering distance to my tent. IOM is just brilliant and KO2 contact cards are being passed out to all !