Isle of Man is a little island ( population of 86,000) in the Irish sea between Ireland and Great Britain. Indeed, fought over by the Vikings, English and Scottish for control, this three legged symbol wherever you throw it, it will stand- the land of the Manx people. I imagined seal puppies and puffins (thanks to my aspiring zoologist nephew). If lucky, a couple of porpoises.
Direct mega bus (1 hour) from London Heathrow to Gatwick. Then catch aeroplane from London Gatwick to Ronaldsway airport, Isle of Man (IOM).
There was no passport check and easy boarding in easyjet which reinforced the pleasant idea that I was indeed going on a holiday.
At Gatwick airport, I was walking fast, afraid of being late. A that some people were hopping the queques. Not that there were any queques as people were moving in masses of 2/3/4/family as convenient. I opted to stand behind her and her two friends all the while and she seemed very pleased 😊
While at the airport, I got a call from IOM saying that the boat excursion to Calf of Man was cancelled because of bad weather. Likely to be worse the following day and maybe Saturday?
It was such a pleasant surprise to see the bus driver calculating the distances/fares and suggesting that I was better off with a day pass (7 GBP). Who spares time in London for strangers?
The hotel was right on the promenade (Breakfast/dinner was facing the sea!). The receptionist acted promptly to mend the bedside table lamp, add a dust bin and change the crockery. I delighted in the good taste of tap water, so different from the million times recycled Thames river water in London.
Being told that south of the island was nicer; I went to Castletown. It has a well maintained medieval castle. Unfortunately, I could not find the entry to the castle as it was on the other side of the road. There were a few people and hardly any sign boards on a week day.
At Port Erins bay, I the easy hike to stone tower (Milners tower) in Bradda Head. A 1931 famous photo of the photographers fiancee was shot here (My view is that she had a pretty, innocent look which was much more beautiful than the scenic background). The cloudy weather and wind did nothing to lift my spirits.
At the hotel, I took a shower and nap. My sleep so deeply that I forgot my location when I got up like in those adventure movies.
I forced myself to the restaurant below. There was the lively group of Malta Netball team having buffet. They were here for the European championship. I ordered a homely vegetable soup and lemon pie. Then crashed in bed for the night.
I was getting into the rhythm of things in IOM. Knew where the bus stops were and estimated their arrival times without looking at the time table.
At breakfast, a friendly, seasoned Liverpool engineer was to discuss island origin, languages, motor races and car rallies. He spoke of a Viking boat burial of a man in his friends backyard in IOM. You know it because of the rusted nails which are left behind. Indeed, I spotted a replica in the Manx museum.
Viking woman with a smart woolen dress and leather belt; a little purse, pen knife and with neatly tied up hair, inspired me to reflect seriously on my dressing style.
To flip to modern times, I bought blue, straight jeans and a proper, black leather belt from Next. Who said history does not inspire?
I was early at Crosby for the paid walking tour (10 GBP for 3 hours). We walked up the now covered old railway track line.
We passed through the millennium way, fields of cows/sheep, rich carpets of spanish bluebells, white wild garlic flowers, lush green grasses among others (I am sure fairies live here).
The green undulating hills stretched to the horizon with different scents of the spring. At some stretches, it was windy but I was a Manx 😊
daily routine. We finished with a fabulous fish and chips at a local pub. One kind member offered to drive me to Douglas so that I can meet my friend and go to Manx museum which closes at 4.30pm.
