Opposites: Peel, Isle of Man

The weekly photo challenge asks us for opposites. Here, you can take your pick: land and water (or perhaps that should be earth, sea and sky); natural and man-made; high and low; near and far; boats on the River Neb and cars on the land. I might also add old and new – Peel’s sheltered harbour was ruled by Norse Vikings for over four centuries, and remains the Isle of Man’s major fishing port today, where the islander’s way of life blends the traditional with the modern.  

The Isle of Man is geographically close to the north west of England (and Scotland, Wales and Ireland are visible from it) but has very much its own soul. Islanders and visitors greet the fairies as they cross the Fairy Bridge. You may have heard  of the tailless Manx cat, but did you know that they have rare, multi-horned sheep too?

It was a blustery, grey day when we visited Peel but the harbour and town still had a pretty, chocolate box look when viewed from the hillside opposite. In the distance you can see hints of the rolling clouds and mist that often hang over this place. Folk lore tells us it’s summoned up by Mannannán’s magic to conceal and protect the island. I have to say I didn’t feel all that protected later that day, navigating the car over the hills through the mist on twisting paths, unable to see more than a few feet ahead.