Circle Yer Wagens

Please note that due to the variations in size and style of the garments we have printed it is impossible for us to print enough stock for everyone to purchase on the weekend. To avoid disappointment we would suggest that you pre-order your garments on the form below to collect over the weekend.

T Shirt and Hoodie Order Form 2012

We are able to take payment via Cheque or Cash through Jo or via Bank Transfer directly into the club bank account, please note that however you make the payment you still need to get the form to Jo via email, post or Carrier Pigeon for her to process.

The colour this year is Navy Blue on Red.

For further info contact Jo on jofarrington@manx.net or call/text Jo on 07624 495278 (sensible hours please)

Isle of Man 24^th to 27^th May

For the fifth year running the Isle of Man V Dub Club warmly invites you to our VW weekend event.

We have managed to get another great deal with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and can offer an all-inclusive price of £219.00 for the weekend.

This is the total price for a vehicle and 2 passengers on the ferry, up to four nights camping and quality Manx hospitality and entertainment!  Extra adults are £42.00 and kids are £30.00.

The Campsite is available for four nights from Thursday 24 May to Sunday 27 May inclusive.  It will be held once again at Michael United Football club, a great location in the heart of Kirk Michael village, with lovely views over the mountains, close to the beach, shops and the pub!

It is becoming increasingly popular so early booking is recommended and it also helps us with planning a fun weekend for you.

The best option would be to travel to the Island from Belfast, Liverpool or Heysham on Thursday 24^th or from Liverpool/Heysham on Friday 25th.  Return dates start from Sunday 27^th to all three ports, but please phone the Steam Packet Holidays Team for all the details. You are welcome to add extra passengers, dogs etc to your booking.

To book and for further info on travel etc. call the Steampacket Holidays team on 01624 645777*

If you would like to contact someone in the club please email secretary@iomvdubclub.com

Some other useful links:

http://www.circleyerwagens.com/ to keep you updated

http://www.steam-packet.com/ for timetables only

http://www.visitisleofman.com/ for touristy stuff

*Please note that the Steampacket will share your contact details with the IOM VDub Club Committee for administrative purposes.  If you do not agree to this you should tell the Steampacket when making your booking.

Circle Yer Wagens 2011 – Isle of Man

 Posted: Jun 09, 2011

The unique character of island life was just one of the draws for us to this years Isle of Man Circle Yer Wagens festival at the end of May. When an opportunity arose to take our van over the water to camp at the festival for 4 nights, we couldn’t book fast enough. We booked early to get half decent ferry times from Heysham to Douglas. The crossing of the Irish sea was a little delayed, but quite pleasant and we were really pleased to be met off the ferry by Helen one of the festival organisers in a smart orange bay camper. We were presented with fabulous comedy sized ‘access all areas’ blue press passes and with another bay we were led up to the festival in the village of Kirk Michael. The festival was on the Michael AFC campsite which opens each year for the TT. Over 50 VW vans of all ages were parked around the edges of the site in an impressive rural setting framed by a local church and mountain backdrop.

Looking through all of the literature we’d been sent about the island, several things caught our attention including the world’s largest working waterwheel in Laxey, the steam train, the tremendous views and the folklore and myth of the island. The island itself is self-governing and has been inhabited since before 6500 BC. At 32 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point it’s a great size with plenty to do and see. It is said that this ancient kingdom was forged by a giant’s hand in a fit of temper and hidden from envious eyes by a sea god who shrouded it in mist. Fortunately for us, despite a cool breeze, we had glorious sunshine for most of our 5 night stay. For us, this just enhanced what is wondrous coastal and mountain scenery all over the island.

The festival is small, but really well organised and hospitable, which is how we like it. On day 2, the organisers laid on a superb barbecue with lots of activities and games. In the evening, the Woodstock 60’s fancy dress theme came into force for an evening of music, dancing and entertainment in the club bar. Manx people are really friendly and the festival was extremely welcoming and fun for all. The next day, the sun came blazing through and the wagons circled for a 50 van convoy from the festival to Laxey. I doubt it would be possible to create a more beautiful sight than vans of all ages snaking over the mountains and past the fine sandy beaches of the island. We stopped briefly to pay our regards to a huge effigy of the sea god Manannán. This was a great opportunity for a group photo in a magical part of the island. I think the sea god kept the sun shining and the terrifying Buggane (hobgoblin) at bay for our stay.

Our little girl learned the Manx words to bid good day to the Mooinjer veggey (little folk) and I’m sure this stood our convoy in good stead for no VW breakdowns over the hills! We all parked up along the sea front in beautiful Laxey for an ice-cream before people departed to go their own ways, some towards the Laxey water wheel and others (us) to get an Indian take away to be eaten in the van overlooking the beach. 

The next day, we drove over to Douglas, parked up and got on the steam train for the classic bike race in Castletown. At £10 return for an adult, this is a touch steep, but the train is a fine thing all round. Next time, we’ll get one of the day passes which represents better value and allows use of the other trains on the island including an electric train which ascends Snaefell mountain. We had heard that the island was expensive, but we didn’t find that on our trip and sampling of the local brews. We arrived in Castletown just in time for the final classic bike race. The noise of these 350cc bikes is tremendous and it’s all very exciting to be stood on the roadside. The kids loved it also; our 2 year old had developed a fascination for motorbikes a few weeks previous on Shell Island.

In the evening, the TT trials started. We’d driven our van round the road circuit several times and we knew that it passed our campsite in Kirk Michael. We hot footed it up to the nearest pub (the Mitre) but we were too late as the roads had closed ready for the race. Not to worry though, we got to watch the event from the roadside. This is a quick part of the track, and the first time you see a bike or sidecar pass by is amazing. One blink and its gone in a roar. The following evening, we made it to the Mitre pub and after a few pints of local ale and a pizza, we were able to watch and photograph some more of the action. The TT is world famous and an important part of Manx culture and tourism. Like everyone else, we knew how dangerous the course can be and that evening was no exception. A sidecar whizzed past the pub and crashed just a few miles after at Ballacrye. After watching this amazing fete and driving around the track, you truly realise the absolute dedication of these riders to their sport. They are warriors, risking their lives and willing their highly tuned vehicles through tight country roads and over mountains at speeds of up to 200mph. They are the bravest people in sport for sure.

On the final day, we did the decent thing and checked out the excellent museums and castle in Peel. Carried along with the beautiful smells of traditional smoked Manx bacon and kippers we duly purchased some to import back into England the next day. Between the breathtaking scenery, the friendly residents, the amazing festival, VW convoy, the folklore of the island and the roar of the TT you have here an exceptional camping experience like nowhere else. We will definitely be back to Circle Yer Wagens – we are hooked and felt like we were part of a truly special event in a remarkable and unique place. Hats off and thanks have to go to Helen and Donal Cullen, Liz Rice and everyone at the IOM V Dub Club for organising such a memorable event.