Biking & Baking in Las Alpujarras

Thank you for the comments about IoM and your experiences!  Any more out there?  Jessica - house prices in Spain depend on where you want to be and the lifestyle you want.  In Andalucia you can pay a ridiculous price (even now) to be in Malaga or Nerja or the 'sexy' area in the hills behind Marbella, a bit less in our area of Las Alpujarras, then quite decent prices in the Jaen/Baza inland towns.  A cortijo or country property will be expensive if it is modernised and has land.  Whatever you go for, get it properly surveyed and don't pay any money down without legal representation.  All the usual stuff, just like in the UK.  Jobs mostly depend on whether you speak Spanish or not and how quickly you integrate.  Some places like Javea have big expat communities so you might be able to offer, say, physiotherapy and make a decent living.  Shops or cafes need good Spanish!  But if you have an internet business you could live anywhere!  Try renting for a few months in your preferred area before you make any big decisions!  Don't forget the 20% tax whihc is a lot more than on IoM!!

By the way, we watched the seals basking at the Sound today - lovely, a really special place :)

Well, the great fortnight is over and it's nearly time to go home.  The rains have arrived, the bikes are thinning out and the Island can breathe a sigh of relief and get back to life as normal.  But we have had a wonderful time, culminating in the senior 1000cc race (which we watched from the Mountain at Keppel Gate - no food van so very few spectators) which was won by my predicted favourite John McGuinness, and then a superb 600cc victory for Michael Dunlop down at Castletown on Saturday.  All in glorious sunshine.  What an event!  We have admired many bikes, from a beautifully-preserved Bridgestone to the latest Honda SP2 racer and met lots of friendly bikers.  We can see exactly why people come back year after year - it's addictive!  My recommendations for anyone travelling there in 2012 are:

* only do 1 week in a tent, that's plenty

* try out different viewing places especially the Gooseneck, Glen Helen and Ballaugh Bridge

* take midge repellent, a thermos and your thermals

* get to Peel and Port Erin on fine evenings

* best breakfast in Castletown near the square, a little caf with old photos on the wall

* don't get too excited on the Mountain one-way system...most deaths/accidents were down to madmen doing dangerous things

We have eaten too much junk food but avoided junk drinks; eaten yummy cakes in Gophers in Ramsey , ice cream everywhere and huge fish 'n chips at Narbyl; bought salads and choc cookies in the Co-op, and eaten top-end supper at The Velvet Lobster in Douglas.  Tonight is curry night.    

Thank you IoM for a wonderful experience! 

We have had over 10 days of a great biking experience and it's not over yet! Today was the first day of rain and delays, but otherwise it has been sunny and sometimes hot. This microcosm of the British Isles is a joy, with lovely fishing harbours, sandy beaches, high hills and leafy glens. And there are about 30,000 bikers roving around on all kinds of vehicles, from ancient Velocettes and BSAs to exquisite modern Ducati's and superbikes. Anyone with a motorbike or an interest in motorbikes should go at least once to the TT, and stay for the full 2 weeks. Practice week is quiet but with intense activity in 'the paddock'; then and in the main week, we saw and spoke with the incomparable John McGuinness, courageous Conor Cummins and the great 'Hutch', as well as Cumbria sidecar racers the Bakers (father and daughter) and many other terrific people from many nations. Lots of French, Australian and German but also Italians and Spanish. An Argentinian almost wept with joy to find some Spanish speakers after 5 days of silence!

We have watched racing on the Mountain and down on the levels, with bikes doing 190mph on normal island roads and averaging over 130mph over a 37 mile course! We have seen the TT3D film (oh my god!) and watched timed street races (1/8th mile), the Red Arrows, various side events and even an Italian bike owners meet in the lovely little town of Port Erin.

Our friends the Andrew and Nicky Pattinson have given us superlative accommodation in their house (and briefly tenting in the garden) and we cannot recommend them too highly (go to www.carhonnag.im). Real luxury, 4 stars ++. Everyone has been kind and helpful and one hears amazing stories of roadside assistance and bike repairs. Sadly there have been deaths too, and some visiting riders seem to lose their good sense once they get on the roads here. Idiotic behaviour resulting in serious accidents. But we have taken care and so far stayed safe.

What else can I say? Food is either instant (breakfast bacon baps) or of the holiday type (Davisons ice cream) or the usual supermarket fare. It's hard to eat healthily but we are trying. We should have brought a thermos because black tea (water & a tea bag) at prices ranging from 80p to £1.60 is just too much!!

More next time, perhaps as we head south again towards Spain...but book yourself in for TT 2012 NOW!!