Douglas, United Kingdom

We are certainly becoming old hands at this airport routine. Its a shame that security checks make it a longer and more tedious process compared to the old days. Not complaining though, as I like to feel that my flight is as safe as can be. Our Isle of Man flight was slightly delayed leaving at 0900 rather than 0815, but we were over the other side within 25 minutes of boarding so we still had plenty of time. The airport on the Isle of Man is a little out of town, but there are regular cheap buses into town and we got a double decker immediately on exiting. The drive into town is very scenic, especially on the cloudless blue day we were blessed with.

We passed by rolling green fields, stone and modern fences surrounded by lots of soft green leafy trees and hedges. The roads were narrow and undulating and the rate the driver raced along them left me in no doubt why some people get sea sick on top of a double decker. Douglas, the main town on the island is postcard pretty with grand lightly painted old houses lining neat streets of tidy flower filled gardens and baskets all surrounding a clear blue harbour. Due to our early start we needed a caffeine boost before going ‘up the hill’ so we found a little cafe and topped up before catching a bus up to the race.

We were surprised and delighted to find that it is free entry to the area which is like a car show or similar with trade displays, sponsor stands, food section and souvenirs. It has a fantastic atmosphere full of bikers, families and young and old enthusiasts. There are some grand stands for viewing or you can just find a spot along the side of the street. The race is on the streets which they close off while the races are on. Vern enquired how much tickets for the stands were and it was £30 for one – that is the price of dinner for two, so we chose the find the spot on a street option. On route to a spot we passed a truck selling ‘Isle of Man’ ice-cream from happy cows so we tried one (to share) and I have to admit it was probably the nicest ice-cream I have had the pleasure of eating in a long time, in particular the rum and raisin and vanilla.

To the race itself, Vern has said it was a highlight for him and something he would like to come back to. Our spot was near the start finish line and he would have liked more time to go around the track and view races from different angles. The bikes go crazy speeds on narrow, windy and undulating streets and roads hitting speeds around 300km, with little release of the throttle for bends in the road! I had to have the camera on a very high speed and just hope that when I pressed the shutter that the bike would hit my pre focussed point as by the time you saw them coming the had wound past you too quick to focus!

We watched one complete race of the 650’s and then had a quick bite from a stand serving genuine German sausages (with onions, sauerkraut, mustard, cheese, and ketchup) and a French crepe with fresh strawberries, banana and cream. Very tasty and then headed in the direction of town in the hope of finding a bus back to the central bus stop to connect to the airport bus. We must have taken a wrong turn because no buses seemed to be heading in the right direction. We asked a local lady on the street and she said confirmed our fear, adding to it by advising we were 20 minute walk from the bus stop city centre. If we continued walking we would miss our connection so we hailed a cab – lucky to find one and got there with about 10 minutes to spare – whew.

Our flight got us back to Liverpool at 0525pm, so we had a cuppa in our room and freshened up before heading out to check out 6 Erylmore Road, Mosley Hill where my Grandmother (fathers side) spent her life from a new bride to her passing. So it was the family home for my father who is the eldest of the 4 children. My grandfather passed away without me ever meeting him but I had met Grandma several times when she came to stay and we conversed via letter regularly till her passing in her early 90’s. After a quick look at the house we planned to grab dinner somewhere close by.

There is a fantastic bus service from Liverpool John Lennon Airport complete with bus numbers, times, and routes clearly displayed and we easily got a bus from there to drop us just across the road from Erylmore. The journey only took about 10 minutes and cost just over £1.

Most houses here are duplex or joined to the one next door (if not joined to a whole row in the street) And then depending on the cost of the house they are tiny or more grand. Whilst we were trying to work out which side of the building #6 was there was a neighbour out in his garden across the road so we asked him. He was about mid 30’s and very friendly and helpful.

We explained our mission and whilst he had been there about 10 years, Grandma passed away a little before then but he said that the old man who was 91 years old living next to him had been there a lot longer and probably would have known her, so he offered to introduce us to him. Introductions made, Ron did in fact recall Grandma and he began to share about her. Thats when the strange thing happened, out of nowhere came a deep welling of emotion like grief, and I started blubbering. Good grief, poor old man must have thought me totally crackers. The younger neighbour seemed to understand though which was a comfort LOL. He shared about her last few years and the bed that was made for her in the front room and how she would walk up the street to post her letters – that was when it hit me because I could just see her walking slightly stooped up the road to post ME a letter. He said she liked to walk everywhere, even to the end as much as she could (this is so true, and something I have taken after her with) More sobs ……

We chatted a bit further and learned a bit about him, his Welsh roots and his active service in the war. He also showed us his medals – 3 of them and proudly told us about him just coming back from France where he goes every year to a honorary celebration from the French for those that served over there in Normandy. He was also due another special medal of honour from the French which he hoped to receive before he popped off!

As we walked back up the street, I felt very emotional with a powerful knowledge that I was walking the very same steps Grandma did. I wanted to say,”Grandma I am here” – (tearing up now writing this a week later). It is really hard to articulate but it was very special and something I am unlikely to forget. It was also very unexpected as I went there to simply view the house as something to see, and as a note of respect – not ever thinking it was something that would connect me beyond mortor and bricks to a deep and living spiritual level. I now understand the wairua (spiritual) connection to a place and land that some do where there is a link to ones ancestry. I don’t think it is dependant totally on the level of connection with the ancestor either – as whilst I enjoyed a good relationship with Grandma, it was not a very close one say compared to the one I have with my Grandchild or children. Nonetheless she was a significant figure in my life and I am so very pleased to have gone there to see and feel her, and to discover and connect to a part of who I am.

I didn’t feel like eating out as such after that as I was quite emotionally drained! There was a popular looking Chinese takeaway on the corner so we got a meal deal for £8.50 which was a sweet corn and chicken soup, 2 won ton, 4 salt and pepper wings, beef, ginger and spring onion stir fry and rice. Fantastic value for over here and whilst not gourmet it was as good as any takeaway and filled the gap.

As the sun was setting and I looked out of our hotel window I was delighted by an amazing sunset – whilst there was no caldera view, the colours where lovely over the river and it just seemed so right – thank you Grandma.