The build up to the TT starts in February. Its the time to confirm your ferry bookings and commit yourself to going over to the Races in May and June. The overture "Sailing" sets the scene and you now find yourself in the queue on the dockside preparing to embark.
ISLE OF MAN
We set off down the Mersey and out to sea. The bar and cafeteria open and we know we are on our way. Halfway across we are straining our eyes to see the Island come out of the haze. "Isle of Man" sets our next mood, that of anticipation and excitement.
MISTY MOUNTAIN
Snaefell is cloaked in mist and this masks the Island right up to the point just before we cross the harbour bar. There in front of us is Douglas Bay. We can pick out St Ninians church on the top of Bray Hill and Kneales Tower at the grandstand.
ANY DREAM WILL DO
The first few days are set aside for practice, and the fans roll in on every ferry. They start spending and wonder if they have brought enough money. Is anyone worried with all the events to come ?
S.O.S.
Ferries disengorge bikes cars and vans, all head out for their place of stay. Some come over with no place to stay so the radio is appealing for homestays and campsite spaces. The pubs do a roaring trade.
UNDER PRESSURE
The Island fills up and the police look out for any speeding or bad riding. The course over the mountain is one-way traffic with speed limits but there's always one idiot... The weather is good and the practice sessions go on without problems.
MAMMA MIA
The excitement grows and we can pick out who might win the races. We go to all the other events allied to the TT and the pace quickens... Most of the fans are now on the Island...It is difficult to find parking on the Prom
MONEY MONEY MONEY
We are spending money like water...Some sit down and count what they have left..We are enjoying ourselves so its off to the hole in the wall for a top up. Who cares what we spend, we are enjoying ourselves...
IT'S A MIRACLE
The ferries have done a great job to get all the fans over from the various departure ports. We sit on Douglas Head watching the ferries coming in and going out constantly.
How can the Island take so many fans ?
TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
One week is over already, we've had good racing on the first Saturday, and there is a full week to come.Today is Mad Sunday..So let's do a lap of the TT Course......... Over the mountain we are overtaken on both left and right !
HAVE A DRINK ON ME
We have now made a new group of drinking mates and we sit chatting about what we have seen during the practice week. Again we sit in our favourite pub and drink the night away.
KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU
The sideshows are doing a roaring trade on the prom so we all try the simulators and the shuggy boat.. We get to bed as dawn is breaking....
I WANT IT ALL
The rider we are supporting comes knocking on the door..We've only been in bed a short time. Surprisingly we are soon awake, ready for the his race, and ready to give him full support. He wants to do well in this race, for the prize money !!
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
As we set out for the start and paddock we tune in to the task we have ahead of us. Our rider is in his leathers when we get to his bike tent....All is now ready.. We all shake hands and set about sorting the pit and the fuel.