Langness, the sticky-out bit on the Isle of Man's south-east coast, and Derbyhaven, the hamlet that tethers it to the main Island, are always good areas for walking. Sweeping views, excellent light, teeming birdlife: What's not to like?





But today we also took in the peninsula off the peninsula -- the one that culminates in Langness Point. There was once mining down here:


And it's really scenic:






But what was really awesome this time round was the opportunity to see seals. This is a good time for them, locals have told us. Obviously, you need to keep your distance, to avoid disturbing them, and Nigel's telephoto lens comes into its own on these occasions:



From the vantage-point of the lighthouse, we watched another group. At risk of anthropomorphizing, the adults were panned out having a well-earned rest, while the youngsters, full of energy, were playing (or was it fighting?) down in the creek (thereby making themselves incredibly difficult to photograph):






We headed back after that, but the light just got better and better:





It's so easy to understand why Archibald Knox painted and painted -- watercolour after watercolour of Island scenes -- because you depict the same elements, time after time, but it's always different. Always different.