So our prolonged stay on the Isle of Man has allowed us to catch up with lots of friends, do our hobbies and visit places we, shockingly, had never seen before.
One such trip of mine was to a site of many old tholtans (farm houses) at Killbregga above the Sulby Valley.
That then spurred Pete to show me the “hidden village” in the Tholt Y Will plantation which is all covered in moss and ivy, making it look very atmospheric.
On the way we nearly bumped into two wallabies. I’m not sure who was watching who more.
Last week I walked from Dalby to Port Erin on the Raad Ny Foillan footpath (Way of the Gull) and visited the very peaceful historic site of a monk, Lag Ny Keeilley (meaning Hollow of the Chapel).
I’m not sure I’d have wanted to climb down those cliffs to get regular supplies from a boat!
Talking of climbing, Pete and I climbed Snaefel to see views all around the island.
Another perspective was acquired when I paddled the whole way round the Isle of Man in my sea kayak. There were 13 of us that made it (about 85 miles) over 3 days and nights. The sunrises made it worthwhile getting up at 3.30am two days on the run, oh and the sunsets were pretty good too!
We have also been lucky enough that closed borders have meant that we have been free to go out cycling and socialising with friends. While this has also meant that we haven’t been able to leave The Rock to see family in the UK (as we haven’t wanted to risk our family’s health and then do a 14 day self-isolation upon our return), it has kept the IOM population safe from Covid so far. The only place we can visit with no quarantine afterwards is Guernsey on a direct flight.
So we’ve had Manx fun instead ….
So as the Summer draws to a close and the dark nights draw in, we will see what the Autumn brings for the island. The North West of England are having spikes of Covid everywhere and we have had the odd case on the island but they have been people already in quarantine having been to the UK. Let’s see what the next few months bring (along with the guaranteed wind and rain. The priority has to remain for everyone to “Stay Safe”, whatever that may
