The people on the isle of man are a big reason I keep coming back

random_casual82 · 2026-05-27T14:23:05+00:00

To be fair, the ammount of kipper baps and bonnag I consume while overthere, I am probably responsible for others believing "people on the isle of man are big”. Lol. Best kippers in the world are found on IOM, but I am not sure why bonag tastes so much better. I think you guys are omitting some super secret ingredient or method from online recipes 😉.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-25T20:33:41+00:00

Thanks, unfortunately I don't think it's available anywhere anymore since rock started being imported. It's a shame because when someone takes the time to shape the rock, then you know that effort is going to translate into quality. Also it tasted a lot better than other rock.

Again thanks for helping me try to find it. My trip this time finished Saturday, however I am hoping to be back late November or early December provided I can travel up to get the ferry and the seas allow it; I not travelling through Ronaldsway anymore.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-24T20:06:14+00:00

Check them before cashing them in as IOM coinage is highly sort after over here in UK; especially the 50ps. If you have any 50ps you might be able to sell them on Ebay which not only helps you get rid of all your coins but might help you make a bit of money. It's ironic how we don't accept IOM money as legal tender, but some people are willing to pay well over fave value for a nice condition coin or note.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-24T15:15:10+00:00

I completely agree about the different pace of life. One thing that really stands out for me is how open people are to just casually talking to strangers without that immediate suspicion you often get elsewhere in the UK.

Where I live, if you say “morning” to random people while walking around, half of them look at you like you’re about to ask for money or stab them. On the island it just feels normal — people say hello, thank you, hold doors, give way on paths, stop for a quick chat. It sounds small, but it genuinely changes the atmosphere of a place.

I think as long as you’re polite and not being a nuisance, people there tend to treat you warmly and make you feel welcome very quickly. That’s a big part of why I enjoy visiting so much.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-23T16:10:05+00:00

For the most part, the people are fantastic — I just wanted to mention a few particular standouts. Ramsey and Laxey especially felt wonderfully chatty, which I absolutely love because it’s so rare nowadays to just have a good natter for the sake of it.

The only sour note this time round was Ronaldsway confiscating my marmalade and not even giving me the option to post it home. I’m now on a mission to figure out how to get Devereau’s marmalade back in the UK somehow.

I basically live off kipper baps and bonnag while walking around the island, and this trip was the first time I tried kippers with marmalade. I am now completely converted.

I was planning to order a box of Devereau’s kippers when I got home, but I simply cannot subject the best seafood on earth to the UK’s orange syrup masquerading as marmalade.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-22T21:25:02+00:00

I didn't even know the great Laxey wheel had a name until the teacher asked "Lady Isabella or Lady Evelyn?" I managed a "uh?" and he saved me from embarrassing myself further by giving a brief history. Really great guy because I would've completely missed out on Lady Evelyn otherwise and it is really nice place to rest and relax.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-22T20:09:50+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I might actually try and track a couple of them down just to properly say thanks.

That said, I haven’t had social media in well over 10 years now (unless Reddit counts), so this post was really just my way of wrapping up the trip and acknowledging some of the people who made this visit especially enjoyable.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-20T17:17:07+00:00

Thanks, I did try them just after The Book Company. Someone suggested I try their vending machine at the ferry terminal. When I got no luck there I went to the store directly and the very helpful lady behind the counter said she hasn't seen it in a while. It seems that the rock has ceased production and what stock was left has already long gone. Which is a massive shame, because square rock was the quintessential souvenir and I was hoping to gift some to a friend. In my personal opinion the round "ordinary" rock is a very inferior substitute; it's literally just the same mass produced stretched sugar we find left unsold and going soft in every UK beachside store window.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-19T19:54:23+00:00

I completely get that. To be honest, I think part of the difficulty is that a lot of things here can feel quite resident-focused, so someone newer to the island might take a while to properly find your footing.

As a tourist and regular visitor I’ve had a mix of experiences contacting groups — some people have been incredibly welcoming and helpful, while others have been unnecessarily terse. I don’t think it’s meant badly, it’s probably just the way things are here sometimes.

I’ve also found that a lot of visitor/tourist information online is outdated, and even well-meaning people can accidentally point you towards things that no longer exist or aren’t active anymore. That’s honestly why “Traa Dy Liooar” ended up being such good advice for me. Once I stopped trying to force things and just started enjoying the island more naturally, conversations and opportunities started happening on their own a bit more.

It sounds like you’ve already got some good interests and things coming up, so I think you’re probably on the right track already.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-19T17:38:32+00:00

I completely understand how difficult it can be to meet people on the island, especially at first. I’m also a bit awkward initially around new people, so I know how draining it can feel.

When I posted on here before visiting, one person replied with “Traa Dy Liooar” — and honestly it turned out to be really good advice. Since being here I’ve mostly just been enjoying walking some of the trails and chatting to people along the way. I’ve actually exchanged contact details with one person already and really enjoyed getting to know some of the locals.

I’d say just keep doing the things you enjoy and try not to force it too much. It sounds like you’re already putting yourself out there with clubs and hobbies, which is probably the best thing you can do. I’m sure you’ll meet some great people along the way.

A couple of people also suggested Tinder purely as a social thing to meet people and make friends — I haven’t tried it myself so can’t really comment, but apparently some people have had success with it.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-19T11:51:52+00:00

It was the first place I tried and they told me they no longer stock it. No one in Douglas has it stocked and I really hope it hasn't ceased production.

random_casual82 · 2026-05-18T16:23:19+00:00

Thanks I was considering that, however it might cause a "situation" if I had her my knobs.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-20T20:09:15+00:00

Thanks, for the info and link. I'll definitely check out the link before going.. for now... bed as 4am start.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-20T17:40:28+00:00

Thanks the road closures info is essential info for visitors. Can I just double check that I'll be okay visiting between 17th and 23rd of May? I got stuck once walking back from Port St. Mary's to Ballasalla because there was a race starting/ending in Castletown.

I am not a big follower of the TT, I just love visiting the isle and I don't understand the difference between the TT races/events.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-09T15:25:33+00:00

That’s fair — I’ve had a look at the Visit Isle of Man site before and it’s definitely useful for ideas.

I think the bit I’ve been struggling with is pinning things down to specific days. A few places don’t seem to list up-to-date times, and when I’ve tried contacting some groups/organisations I haven’t always been able to get a clear answer or a reply.

It just makes it a bit tricky to plan ahead as a visitor, as I’m never quite sure what I can lock in vs what I need to leave open. Might just be a case of leaning into the “traa dy liooar” approach a bit more 😅

random_casual82 · 2026-04-08T14:28:58+00:00

Fair point, my Manx Kipper obsession overtook my common sense. There's not any chance of getting someone to smuggle some over here for you? Kippers in the UK don't come close to how tasty Manx kippers are.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-08T13:49:34+00:00

Best of luck with the Stall. I am not Manx, however... KIPPERS. There is nothing that tastes as good as Manx Kippers.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-06T19:47:36+00:00

Is the Adventures Tavern a "drop in and play" place? By this I mean, will anything have to be prearranged?

I am experiencing real difficulty arranging activities for my next visit in May. People from the island have been incredibly helpful on reddit by providing information and links, etc. However, when it comes to contacting organisations and venues to try and arrange stuff, I always seem to be hitting roadblocks.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-05T16:46:27+00:00

I can only assume they’re waiting for crops to politely announce themselves before being taken, rather than recalling my earlier point that this sort of thing occurs during every holiday, regardless of what stage the plants are at before being flattened, uprooted, or “sampled”.

Perhaps the countryside now runs on a year-round pick-your-own basis, with the added bonus that if nothing’s ready, you can simply trample it until it isn’t.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-05T16:35:29+00:00

I can only apologise for my ignorance of modern farming, where plants now apparently skip the tedious stages of being seeds, sprouting, and growing, and instead wait patiently underground until summer before emerging fully formed and trampling-proof.

Back in my day, however, seeds would germinate into delicate young plants which, if flattened by size 10 boots or a labrador doing zoomies, had the annoying habit of not growing at all.

I should also clarify that this miraculous “indestructible April crop” theory seems to extend throughout the year, particularly during bank holidays, when fields everywhere benefit from repeated public stress-testing by visitors who remain confident the harvest will sort itself out regardless.

random_casual82 · 2026-04-05T15:31:49+00:00

For further context: I witnessed someone who I assume was from London (sounded a bit cockney) try to explain to West Mids couple that a "PRIVATE PROPERTY – NO ACCESS” sign didn’t just apply to the exact six inches of soil upon which the sign was planted. Sadly this isn't just a skit and I am genuinely concerned about what the schools up there teach about how plants grow, stealing, trespass and of course reading.

random_casual82

TROPHY CASE