Well, no one thought it would be possible, but here we are one week into our Isle of Man adventure.
We flew out of Spain on the 10th of April, after completing the sale of the house on the 9th. 4 x 22Kg suitcases to our names, plus a couple of carry-on bags. An overnight stop in the De Trafford in Alderley (not to be repeated) where we reduced our luggage by 28Kilos (thanks Anne and Stan) so that we had the Loganair maximum of 60Kg in the hold and two 6Kg carry-on bags - and boarded the DeHavilland Dog-Cat for our intrepid “equinoctal gales” flight to the IoM. The Jeremias had continually pointed out the high winds and even higher seas battering Britain, but we managed a serene flight with only a one-wheel hopping-landing to show for it.
A pre-booked taxi waiting, we made our way to the Regency Hotel on Douglas esplanade.
Something of a time-warp, with a revolving entrance door, loads of oak panelling, brass fittings and lashings of Victoriana. Tony, the duty porter, picked up two of our bags and carried them up the steps (which impressed me as I was struggling with one).
The Regency had been selected as it had a lift. What they didn’t say was that it was actually half a lift. Two folding & sliding scissor doors and a panelled, mirrored, brass mounted chamber about 2 feet wide and 6 feet long. All with a disembodied female voice muttering “please close the doors on entering and leaving the lift” - but at least it works. Thence a hunt down winding squeaky-floored corridors to find our number 309 room on floor two and a half (a bit like the hogwarts platform).
Huge well fitted bathroom, big comfy bedroom and lounge with fridge, tv and impossible-to-get-out-of leather settee. No view (thought that was probably overkill), but lots more brass and plenty warm enough.
A glass of wine and a sandwich in the equally victorian bar with our new friend Jack, then an early night after lots of semi-unpacking.
Friday was devoted to visiting the bank, estate agents and M&S food hall, plus a trip into the ManxTelecom shop where a very proficient girl set up both our phones with e-sims using Manx local numbers as secondary call i/ds. DeanWood properties proved as inefficient in the flesh as they had on the phone from Spain, so plans for Monday to visit other agents, after a rearranged car collection back at the airport after a stroppy south african-sounding tart tried to (and without any mention of it) palm us off with a jaguar instead of the ordered Juke (now unavailable).
Thus in a Mocca (not greatly impressed) we bade hello to the fairies at the bridge and headed back to town (remembering to get on the left side!)
On Saturday night we treated ourselves to dinner in the hotel restaurant - and what a treat. Best meal we have had in ages, in a very pleasant humming restaurant. WIne a little pricey, but hey ho!
Sunday was back to M&S for some necessary victuals, and then a quick drive around - which turned into a full tour of the TT course!
The next few days were a blur of Tescos, M&S, Boots, Estate Agents, more touring of small towns and an excursion to Tynwald Mill (Boundary Mill it aint).
Depressingly few opportunities in the rental / sales market, but then a pleasant lady told us she had a friend with “somewhere we might like”. This turned out to be a brand-new four-bedroomed house which was just ending its time as the fully furnished show house.
Pricier than we had hoped, but perfect in so many ways - and in a place called Castletown - a pretty little place with an even prettier harbour, just south of the airport. Yes please we said (and thanks to the fairies at the bridge). It is also close to the Nissan dealer so we went in to see what they had to offer. First car that came up on their “option to import” page was a 2023 grey Juke auto (4 years younger than we just sold in Spain) - so we bought that and have been given a free courtesy car by new-pal Mark while we wait for it!
Also found a second hand record shop, a B&Q, a Currys, a wishy-washy named Dolly Blue, and half a wardrobe of warmer clothes from M&S, oh, and a recommendation for a good Indian restaurant from Mark.
For a first week, some going in my opinion.
Now everything is zeroing in on the 1st of May - out of hotel, into house, insurance for all sorts of things, collection of car, installation of fibre-optic, and flop! (Oh, and hope for the freight and try to prepare for the TT crowds).
It isn´t so much Manx as Manic
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