Because there was fresh water, now called St Catherine's Well, close to the beach, Port Erin has been a fishing community since Viking times, at least.
On the eastern headland is Milner Tower. William Milner was a wealthy safe maker from Liverpool. In 1860, during a public display to show how fireproof, bombproof, and theft proof the latest safe was, a young lad was killed. Full of grief and remorse, Milner came to Port Erin and dedicated himself and his money to good works. The desperately poor fisherfolk called him the "Godfather of Port Erin" and decided to build this tower to show their love. Not being the type of thing that could be kept secret, Milner asked, "I say, what's going on here?" He was horrified to learn that people who had nothing would spend their money in such a way. He promptly donated the full cost of the tower.
In his will, he left money to build St Catherine's Church and also a row of six cottages owned by the church, the rents of which are used to support church activities. The cottages aren't nearly as pretty as the church but their gardens are lovely.
Port Erin has a constant light lighthouse in the garden of the cafe.
I thought the lights in all lighthouses went round and round. Live and learn. By lining up with the constant light, boats are brought safely into harbour - as long as they don't bump into the basking sharks which bask in the bay. We'd love to see one.
Sunday was the End to End Mountain Bike Race with over 400 competitors. They started 87 kms away on the northern point of the IOM and ended here, at the southern point. We could see them coming over the head land and into town.
Tired from watching all this exercise, we retired to the local ice cream shop and saluted each passing biker with our cones.
Pretty great sunset to end our day.
Amen.
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