Country Life - Enjoying the Island for what 'it' is

Despite the fact that you may think I’m chained to this computer churning out this drivel in fact I can rattle this stuff of in a few moments so have plenty of time to enjoy the natural aesthetic.. I think I oscillate between moments of calm contentment in our environment and short bursts of anger at the plight that some on this Island endure (Note: Must try cognitive behavioural therapy).

I was up North earlier and chatting about country life and the world to an acquaintance in one of the villages of the Northern plain. It helps your equilibrium if you hear from others their views and whether the level of disenchantment is a sole phenomena or more widely based - I would say it's the latter.

I like all areas of the Island but particularly the North - the area from Glen Mooar to Bride - perhaps it’s because my Dad was born at Ballaugh Cronk I feel a latent affinity - maybe it’s just ‘nice’!

Later - Curragh lapped - and rattling back along the coast with the Mourne mountains peeking out of the haze in the West and a calm sea it seems a good day to be alive. Manannan is obviously keeping an eye on his twin kingdoms! I’m looking through the haze to see if I can see ‘Enbar’ but quickly plant my eyes back on the road you never know the RPU could be about.

Rounding ‘the elbow’ I muse that of all the folk I’ve spoken to this week - although all were enjoying the Island’s spell of belting weather - none mentioned or felt the need to mention ‘the year of our Island’. It strikes me Manx people enjoy the Island for what it is. It has many faces from the endless charm and calm of this idyllic summer to the foam and froth of the stormy days of winter to come. The Island is stable and true to itself it doesn’t need the artificiality of some government construct. The Isle of Man knows what it is and where it is. It's a shame some of the halfwits in government don’t realise that!

Bernard Moffatt