IOM day 1

Saturday 31st July 2010

2020

We’re sitting in Rosehip cottage in Kirk Michael IOM watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

I got up at 0600 and was very productive before we left – I even did nearly an hour piano practice!!

Packing the car was a challenge to say the least – the amount of stuff we’ve got just for 2 of us is ridiculous.

We left the house at around 10ish and got to the ferry terminal at about 1020. Check-in was really easy, just drive up to the booth hand over your booking confirmation and get your boarding cards. We were then directed to a queue where we waited in our cars for an hour. At about 1120 cars in the queue to the left of us began moving then we all followed on. When we got onto the boat the workers were directing us where to park and I was told to reverse into a space on the bottom level next to a black jeep – the man said we’d be off first :-D

Obviously we then went up into the passenger decks and found ourselves a seat by a window. We spent a boring 3 hours up there. We did both go for a wander a couple of times – there was a shop on board but it wasn’t the impressive, though I did buy a map. I was wishing I’d brought my DS onto the boat with me – I’ll know for the journey home!!

When we got back to the car it was obvious we’d have to wait a little while before we got off so I got my sat nav from the boot to try and programme it ready for when we got into the open air. Well I’ve discovered today that my sat nav is stupid – it has countries such as Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, even Vatican City but no Isle of Man!!!! Thankfully I’d printed off some instructions from google maps and also the cottage owners had given us instructions too. All was going well until I missed the entrance to the cottages and had to go past and turn round then I missed it again on the way back.

Eventually I found the entrance and the cottages are down a long track-like lane. I stopped the car right outside the cottage to unload and we’d only got one or two item out when a lady came past saying she needed to get out in a few minutes (and we were blocking the way). There is designated parking but it’s a bit further down so for loading / unloading it’s easier to park right outside. We did manage to be out of the woman’s way but only cos we rushed and because we’d rushed my mum fell over in the cottage cos there’s a step both sides of the front door – you have to step up into either the kitchen on the right or the living room on the left. She’s ok but will have a lovely bruise on her knee and finger. When I went to park the car in its proper place I’m not sure if I disturbed a flies nest or something but there were flies swarming round the driver’s side of the car – eeww!!! Thankfully the other side of the car seemed relatively clear so I climbed over and got out of the passenger side.

Once I’d unpacked all the kitchen stuff into the fridge I decided to see if I could get my computer onto the internet and my mum said to do the same for hers. I knew how to get my own computer onto a new network and there was a password in the guest information pack. I then had to figure out how to get mum’s computer to connect – I don’t know what I clicked but I managed it haha.

For the rest of the evening we haven’t really done an awful lot – just sat and messed on the computers and watched telly. Mum cooked us a mixed grill for tea and I expected to be on washing up duties – I was surprised to find that she did the dishes as well :-o :-)

I noticed the time a short while ago (it’s now 2135) and I realised I haven’t even opened my suitcase :-o And I don’t know which bed I’m sleeping on – I have 2 to choose from!!