Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Sightseeing and Socialising
Ahhhhh, the tourist attractions of the Isle of Man. We headed up to the Laxey wheel at the weekend to take some photos. This was built in 1854 to pump water from the workings of the Great Laxey Mining Company. Mining was of considerable importance to the economy of Laxey and the Great Laxey Mine was one of the major producers of lead and zinc in the British Isles.
In 1929 when mining came to an end, the Lady Isabella was acquired by Mr Edwin Kneale of Laxey and it continued as a great tourist attraction. The wheel was as much associated with the Isle of Man as were the cats without tails and the world famous succulent kippers. In 1965 the Manx government bought the water wheel and the restoration work which followed, preserved it for future generations. Since 1989 it has been under the control of Manx National Heritage. The "Lady Isabella" is claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe: possibly in the world.
These pictures were taken at the very top of the wheel - please don't be alarmed by Harvey's face; he looks incredibly miffed in this photo, but he was fine and only made one vain attempt to jump off the walk-way.
Then onto more important issues - such as the historical importance and social impact of Bushy's beer!!!Here we are in the Bushy's basement bar, there was a great DJ playing Funk Soul music to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.
More frivolity later.
In 1929 when mining came to an end, the Lady Isabella was acquired by Mr Edwin Kneale of Laxey and it continued as a great tourist attraction. The wheel was as much associated with the Isle of Man as were the cats without tails and the world famous succulent kippers. In 1965 the Manx government bought the water wheel and the restoration work which followed, preserved it for future generations. Since 1989 it has been under the control of Manx National Heritage. The "Lady Isabella" is claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe: possibly in the world.These pictures were taken at the very top of the wheel - please don't be alarmed by Harvey's face; he looks incredibly miffed in this photo, but he was fine and only made one vain attempt to jump off the walk-way.
Then onto more important issues - such as the historical importance and social impact of Bushy's beer!!!Here we are in the Bushy's basement bar, there was a great DJ playing Funk Soul music to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.
More frivolity later.# posted by IrishEmma @ 11:18 
