STAYCATIONS

Nick Shimmin - Port Soderick, StargazingJoanna Kelly - Wallaby SightingSTAYCATION Cath Denton - Port Erin

Pauline Guest - 1st tram of 2021 season Jill Pugh - Fish & Chips in the car Visit IoM - Tynwald National Park

THE ‘STAYCATION’ PHENOMENON: A BRIGHT SIDE OF LOCKDOWN

Words By: Annabel Wheeler This June will mark one year since the Isle of Man was set free from its cage of the first COVID-19 lockdown. It is historic that we, as a tiny crown dependency, became the first in the British Isles to live sans lockdown and, since then, the island has erupted with staycation holidays. Islanders flocked to local hotels, country cottages and B&Bs in lieu of their usual summer holiday plans. This presented an opportunity for us to explore areas of our home that had previously gone unvisited; regrettably, for many this seemed to include large swathes of the island. Fortunately, this also provided opportunities for local businesses to begin their post-lockdown recovery - with which we were all too eager to help.

For me, one such undiscovered gem was the picturesque beauty of the Tynwald National Park and Arboretum. First opened to the public in 1979 to commemorate the millennium of Tynwald, the park envelops areas in the west of the island, framing the shopping complex of Tynwald Mills and providing an immense backdrop for the ancient parliament itself. Astonishingly, the area covers 25 acres of land and encompasses thousands of trees, dating from its original greenery of the 1970s, to recently-planted saplings, preparing to dazzle future generations of visitors. The park attracts an eclectic mix of people, be it young families on a day out, couples going for romantic picnics, or individuals looking to quietly immerse themselves in nature for a few hours. The fantastic scenery is the perfect setting for amatuer photographers to practice their skills and for wannabe influencers to achieve a wonderfully ‘instagrammable’ shot. A short climb reveals a specially constructed picnic area with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hillsides; on a warm summer’s day, the sun beats down on this area allowing for an entire afternoon of basking in its heat. The large pond at the centre of the park is home to a number of ducks who relish the adoration from the children who visit them, along with a number of resident hens and chicks that like to use the grove of trees as shelter from the Manx weather. Children are able to follow the path that snakes through the park, learning about different species of trees and plants as they go from the plaques that adorn them, as well as several local charities who have donated trees, flowers and benches throughout the decades. The learning opportunity is not reserved for children. Adults who visit the park are enthralled by its beauty and are consumed with an environmentalist desire to accelerate the planting of trees around the world. In terms of preserving the natural world, planting an abundance of trees is certainly lacking in drawbacks.

In a year that has hit the hospitality industry like a hammer, the Manx food and drink industry has, by no means, been left untouched. For the six blissful months in which we experienced almost total normality as an island, Manx hospitality was provided with a unique opportunity to begin to recover from a lockdown that the rest of the British Isles was still in the midst of. No staycation would be complete without a food-centric jaunt. Our island boasts an array of cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars that provide customers with options for brunch, lunch and dinner. The local pub to Tynwald National Park is Tynwald Inn, and this is just one of the many establishments to eat within a stone’s throw of the arboretum. Many of us, over the past 18 months, have spent three lockdowns perfecting the art of day-drinking; the glorious glug of the gin bottle after a late lunch on a Wednesday afternoon was music to my ears during the long, hot days of the ‘lockdown one’ heatwave. With so many gorgeous spots opening up across the Isle of Man - Fynoderee, Foraging Vintners, Seven Kingdoms - it would be criminal for Manx residents to not fill them to capacity over the summer. Not only this, it would be insensitive of islanders to take this privilege for granted after UK residents, until recently, have been denied a pint in their local boozer since Christmas.

A year ago, as locals whisked themselves away on cross-island staycations and students flocked home for a summer of freedom after the anticlimax of their end of term university celebrations, the pubs and restaurants filled with punters. Eventually, as ever, this novelty quickly wore off and our local taverns were left to flounder. Now, as summer 2021 begins, these local establishments remain quiet, save for a rush of groups on Friday and Saturday nights. We mustn’t take for granted all that our little Isle has to offer. As the reopening of our borders becomes imminent and Manxies can jet off on foreign holidays once more, we mustn’t forget the beauty and culture on our doorstep. The COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020/1 will go down in the history books, but it is our responsibility to ensure that, as a society, we learn from it - embrace the Manx landscape, spend time in the Manx air and support local Manx business.

H O T E L FALCON’S NEST HOTELWE ARE NOW TAKING

BOOKINGS FOR STAYCATIONS! WE ARE NOW TAKING PLEASE PHONE THE HOTEL DIRECT ON 01624 834077BOOKINGS FOR STAYCATIONS!

FALCON Riddler under the Nest ’SFALCON’S PLEASE PHONE THE HOTEL DIRECT ON 01624 834077 NESTH O T E LH O T E L Open every evening

WE ARE NOW TAKING STAYCATIONS! PLEASE PHONE THE HOTEL DIRECT ON 01624 834077 WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR STAYCATIONS! from 5pm except Saturday & Sunday open from 12pm.

PLEASE PHONE THE HOTEL DIRECT ON 01624 834077

Station Road, Port Erin. Tel: 01624 834077 Email: falconsnest@entreprise.net www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk Lounge Bar open everyday from 11am Real Ales available Restaurant open 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. except Sundays Full English Breakfast served every day 8 a.m. -2 p.m. Functions inc Funerals weddings birthdays etc special room rate Please inform us on booking if you have any food allergies or dietery requirements The Potts Family look forward to welcoming back all our loyal and future customers, to our Restaurant and newly refurbished Dining Room (Carvery Room). Full Carvery Sunday 12-4pm 1st sitting 12 p.m. - 2nd sitting 2 p.m. 3rd sitting 4 p.m. - PLEASE BOOK Station Road, Port Erin. Tel: 01624 834077 Email: falconsnest@entreprise.net www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk Lounge Bar open everyday from 11am Real Ales available Restaurant open 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. except Sundays Full English Breakfast served every day 8 a.m. -2 p.m. Functions inc Funerals weddings birthdays etc special room rate Book now Live music most Friday night, Saturday night & Sunday afternoons. Open every evening from 5pm except Saturday & Sunday open from 12pm. Please inform us on booking if you have any food allergies or dietery requirements The Potts Family look forward to welcoming back all our loyal and future customers, to our Restaurant and newly refurbished Dining Room (Carvery Room). Full Carvery Sunday 12-4pm 1st sitting 12 p.m. - 2nd sitting 2 p.m. 3rd sitting 4 p.m. PLEASE BOOK Riddler under the Nest Station Road, Port Erin. Tel: 01624 834077 Email: falconsnest@entreprise.net www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk Lounge Bar open everyday from 11am Real Ales available Restaurant open 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. except Sundays Full English Breakfast served every day 8 a.m. -2 p.m. Functions inc Funerals weddings birthdays etc special room rate Live music most Friday night, Saturday night & Sunday afternoons. Open every evening from 5pm except Saturday & Sunday open from 12pm. Please inform us on booking if you have any food allergies or dietery requirements The Potts Family look forward to welcoming back all our loyal and future customers, to our Restaurant and newly refurbished Dining Room (Carvery Room). Full Carvery Sunday 12-4pm 1st sitting 12 p.m. - 2nd sitting 2 p.m. 3rd sitting 4 p.m. - PLEASE BOOK Riddler under the Nest The Potts Family look forward to welcoming back all our loyal and future customers, to our Restaurant and newly refurbished Dining Room (Carvery Room). 12-4pm 1st sitting 12 p.m. - 2nd sitting 2 p.m. 3rd sitting 4 p.m. Full Carvery Sunday - PLEASE BOOK Live music most Friday night, Saturday night & Sunday afternoons. Open every evening from 5pm except Saturday & Sunday open from 12pm. Lounge Bar open everyday from 11am Real Ales available Restaurant open 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. except Sundays FALCON’S NEST H O T E L Live music most Friday night, Saturday night & Sunday afternoons. Open every evening from 5pm except Saturday & Sunday open from 12pm. WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR STAYCATIONS! PLEASE PHONE THE HOTEL DIRECT ON 01624 834077 Riddler under the Nest Riddler under the Nest Riddler under the Nest Lounge Bar open everyday from 11am Real Ales available Restaurant open 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. except Sundays Full English Breakfast served every day 8 a.m. -2 p.m. Functions inc Funerals weddings birthdays etc special room rate Book now Full English Breakfast served every day 8 a.m. -2 p.m. Functions inc Funerals weddings birthdays etc special room rate Book now The Potts Family look forward to welcoming back all our loyal and future customers, to our Restaurant and newly refurbished Dining Room (Carvery Room). Full Carvery Sunday Live music most Friday night, Saturday night & Sunday afternoons. Station Road, Port Erin. Tel: 01624 834077 Email: falconsnest@entreprise.net www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk Please inform us on booking if you have any food allergies or dietery requirements Station Road, Port Erin. Tel: 01624 834077

BEA

This month’s pet of the month is an assassin feline with a hatred for all other animals! Owned by her Nurse Hannah, Bea has been a long term cuddly friend to her, keeping her company with cuddles, when not on shift!

BEA

Species: Cat

Hannah Short

Occupation: Nurse

Age: 10

Distinguishing features: Stubby tail & face like an angel

Special skills: Assassin

Pet hates: All other animals

Creature comforts: Human beds Age: 27

Distinguishing features: Tattoos

Special skills: Play Piano

Pet hates: Roadworks

Creature comforts: Spa Day Massage

If you have a great photo of you and your pet, send it to editorial@gallery.co.im and maybe we’ll feature you in future!

Animal look alike: Lion

Human look alike: Jennifer Aniston

Favourite thing about pet: Looks like Stuart Little

OUR COMMUNITY

FANTASTIC TURNOUT FOR 2021 HARBOUR2HARBOUR WALK

Hundreds donned their trainers and put their best foot forward for the 2021 Harbour2Harbour Walk in association with Dandara on Sunday (16th May).

A total of 577 people and 38 dogs entered the community event which was supported by the award-winning homebuilder for the fifth year. Starting in Castletown Square, walkersfollowed a scenic nine-mile route along the Island’s stunning southern coast to Port Erin via Port St Mary, where there was also a second start for those who favoured a shorter walk.

The event, which has an emphasis on family fun and community, raised funds for Southern Community Initiatives (SCI), Port Erin and Rushen Ambulance. The total is still being calculated, but organisers have confirmed that more than £7,200 has already been collected for the beneficiary charities, which will be used to improve their services and continue the work they carry out in the southern community.

QUALITY GO-KARTS FOR ALL AGES AVAILABLE IN STORE

BUILT TO LAST FOR YEARS

Event Coordinator Ruth Martin said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout for the 2021 Harbour2Harbour Walk. Following its cancellation in 2020 and the uncertainty surrounding this year’s event with the lockdowns earlier in the year, we were keen to make it a really successful and enjoyable walk for the whole community. To see so many people (and their four-legged friends!) turn up with big smiles on their faces throughout made it all worthwhile.

‘I would like to say a huge thank you to Dandara for its continued generosity and support – we couldn’t make it happen without its help. Also to the brilliant marshalling crew from Southern Nomads SPort Erin, the wonderful team of volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly and, of course, everyone who took part. The money raised will do so much good in our local community.’

Dandara Marketing Manager Angela Beresford added: ‘It has been a pleasure to once again work alongside Ruth and her team as sponsors of the 2021 Harbour2Harbour Walk. It was naturally disappointing to have to cancel last year’s event due to COVID-19, so we were keen to make 2021 better than ever. It was great to see so many people - young and old - take part and we were lucky to get some decent weather too. Well done to everyone who went the distance!’

Plans are already underway for the 2022 Harbour2Harbour Walk. Keep up-to-date by following the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/harbour2harbour.