IOM0
Isle of Man- Prep
WEDNESDAY 5TH AUGUST 2020: A quick, direct 55 minute flight with Aurigny and we come into land at Ronaldsway Airport, the Island only appearing from the low cloud at the last minute. I collect my bag, whip off my face mask, make my way through the otherwise empty airport, get the bus to Douglas and check in to my very nice hotel – the Mannin – for 4 nights
It is late afternoon and I have no walking plans for today, good job as the weather is pretty awful. The IOM is perhaps known for poor weather, today an example: low cloud / fog, drizzle / rain, with a fair old wind. I later learn this has a name – Manannan’s Cloak – the god protecting the island with a cloak of invisibility
I walk along the promenade, a wide space bordering the sea, across the main road from the generally Victorian style buildings, the whole area a bit of a mess as it has major works along the entire length. Overall, very quiet everywhere, many places seem closed. It is hard to be too enthused. I reach the Northern end, then return the nearly 2 miles to the Southern end near the Sea Terminal. I spy a decent looking restaurant, The Barbary Coast Grill, that looks busy – always a good sign – and go in for an excellent burger. The IOM is in similar status to Guernsey, both having eliminated Covid locally and with strong border control are living relatively normally – so a bustling restaurant is ok
Finishing, I orientate myself further by finding the central bus stops, then return to the hotel to prep for tomorrow’s walk
