I niaively thought we would just be marking time this week while waiting for feedback from others. Wrong! Lots of things happening.
I spent some time making trips to Manx Telecom and know most of the staff by name.
Kieran advised me on the best fibre package to take and Lydia sold me (yet) anothere sim card which I installed in the “spare” iphone so that we could install the Tesco, M&S and Boots apps - which just woudńt work on the spanish registered mobile. Bit of a setback when I realised that I had to sign up to the fibre for 24 months, but it then appeared thatthere is a get-out clause if you are renting and move.
Thence to car insurance, which was proving tricky without NCBs (requested from Linea Directa in Spain but never delivered). Tim recommended National Farmers Union, so we went to see them and a nice lady named Emily - who came up with a 400 quote - which I gladly accepted. Later total surprise when yet another request to LD in Spain resulted in a 19-year no claims letter being sent. Now received registration and VIN too, so just waiting for the car!
We went for a trip out to a place recommended by Tim and it turned out to be where we had found last week / a beautiful bay called Gansy with a highly recommended pub & hotel named the “Shore”. We also found another beautiful place called St Michael´s Island with an old ruined church and fort
- and lots of birdlife. Tricky to find, but then it was found beyond the beautiful little Castletown golf links - and that is within a mile of the new house!
We also checked out some other shops ready for the move - and found a Curry´s and a B&Q (oh, and a recommended Indian curry house, a hole-in-the-wall that does watch batteries and all sort of speciality bits, a coffee shop on the main street and a hairdresser). I now look less like an old-English sheepdog. (Who would ever have thought I might find and use a hairdresser before Gill)?
Friday night met with Jo and new landlady (Kiwi Julie) and all seemingly good to go.
Another great meal in the hotel restaurant to round-off the week (scallops in garlic-butter and lardons - yummy), then another trip to St Michaels´to watch the Eider ducks and Curlews and chomp on some picnic sandwiches.
Now just waiting for the house contract in order to finalise the fibre installation, but at least I have sourced a 4g router to give us connnectivity in the meantime.
Not quite such a manic week, but amazing progress for the first fortnight.
Oh, and we already love the island for its lack of litter, beautiful scenery, friendly people and great public transport (and as for the TT, well at least they get their tourism over in one short burst!)
Comments