The following came out of a casual conversation some months after the event…
The occasion was the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 and after taking part in the Ramsey festivities, Mr W. T. Teare of that town decided it was just the night for a walk. He set out for a stroll to Douglas, a walk he had taken many times previously.
He took off just before midnight travelling via Laxey, and as it was only 3am when he reached Douglas, he decided to continue to Castletown for breakfast. He was feeling rather hungry by the time he reached the metropolis but no-one was up so he proceeded towards Port St Mary.
On the way he came to a cottage where an old lady was filling her kettle and she invited him in for breakfast. The amount of breakfast he ate convinced the old lady that his tale about walking from Ramsey was true and he pressed on through Port St Mary and Port Erin continuing to Peel for dinner.
He then headed homewards but at Ballaugh decided to visit a farm belonging to him at Andreas and whilst in the district he also called at Knock-y-Dhooney. He partook of some refreshment there then headed home to Ramsey arriving at 11.30pm.
Next day he was out and about working in his garden and, as stated, the story only came out in casual conversation some months later.
(source: from an article on the early days of the Parish Walk in ‘Manninagh’ No.1, May 1972; photo)
