Apart from the fact that the Island is a different country, with different culture and even a different language albeit not so widely spoken these days, one of the most difficult concepts for our visitors to wrap their heads around is Isle of Man weather.
The first hurdle to negotiate is trying to explain that the forecast on television is often very unlikely to be relevant here. Having persuaded them to accept that piece of information, we then have to point out that just because things are looking a little miserable in Douglas doesn't necessarily mean the day must be written off.
Yesterday, perfectly illustrated the point. Whilst we in the capital were shivering in the strong wind with grey skies above and temperatures barely registering double figures, the northern plains were baking in 19 degree sunshine.
It has to be said that the introduction of the Department of Infrastructure webcams are a wonderful addition to our armoury when making a decision about where to go and though they are probably somewhere on the IOM Government site and definiteley, some of them are on www.manxradio.com, there are more on www.manx.net, crucially including Ramsey Harbour.
Our meteorological officers are also very accessible and it is possible to talk to a real live one who tend to be very helpful on 0900 624 3200 for a very reasonable sum, listen to their general weather recording on 0900 624 3300 or their shipping forecast on 0900 624 3322.
My own personal favourite story about the imbalanced manx conditions happened a few years ago. It had been said that there was a possibility of some rays up the top, so with typical optimism, I packed my protesting family into the car, complete with towels etc. and tried to persuade them that we were going to have a great time in Mooragh Park. The sky looked horrendous, a kind of grey, tinged with black. It was so bad that I didn't even attempt to go via the Mountain and there was no improvement on the other side of Laxey.
The kids were still giving me their usual, 'What a wally' look and as we approached Maughold, even I was starting to have my doubts when we were able to see the part of the coast by the Point of Ayre and there was certainly nothing in the way of improvement.
However, on the descent past the 'Rest and Be Thankful,' the vista of Ramsey opened, the houses and the lake glinting in the sunshine.
In those days, they still had the paddling pool instead of the 'Health & Safety' sprinklers that there are now and we sat there basking, while the children splashed around. There was a cirle of blue in the sky above us, totally surrounded by the aforementioned angry clouds.
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I don't particularly remember this, but it sounds familiar! Maybe you should also write about your many 'shortcuts' :D xxxx
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