Nigel writes: "I took a day trip on the BEN-MY-CHREE from Heysham (03:00 departure) to Douglas on Saturday May 31, (back on the 20:00 Douglas – Heysham) i.e. the ‘Special TT Day Return’. All in all a good value day out all be it a long day!

It really was a glorious day weather wise – just how I remember it as a kid holidaying on the IOM 35 years ago. Saturday on Douglas head waiting for the 20:00 BEN-MY-CHREE departure to Heysham I managed to get some pictures of the Balmoral departure to Whitehaven. She sailed around 18:20 (scheduled departure was 18:00 I believe) she looked extremely well patronise as you can see from the people on deck. She made a very graceful reverse into the bay before heading for Whitehaven quite close to the cost.

It really was great to see an old ship undertaking a proper day trip from the UK in really superb sunny weather!"