I turned 50 on Feb 20 and was taken away for a pleasant weekend by my wife to the curious Isle of Man. Apart from its odd status as not being part either of the UK or of the EU, I wonder what sort of weather it gets. I saw palm trees growing quite openly, and was told the Gulf Stream flows on both sides of the island. Do any of you know whether it gets frosts or not and if potato blight is a problem? Is the growing season better or the same as either Britain or Ireland?
BTW, knowing of my interest in trains (I specialse in writing about transport of all kinds as a job), the intent was to take me to the IOM to play with the fabulous old trains, steam, electric and horse-drawn that still exist there. Imagine the all round disappointment to find all were closed for the winter! Boo! Hiss!
Loved the mild Liverpudlian accent, with just a smattering of Irish, that is spoken there!
Will definitely go back.
The Isle of Man
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
I live overlooking Morecambe Bay we can see the Isle of man on clear days, the climate here too is mild we have Palm trees in Grange over Sands (Steam trains run from Carnforth then up the Cumbrian coast )I have things in the garden such as figs without any protection we do get some frosts but the frost doesn't seem to last like it did in Yorkshire it is always windy as we are on a headland but not often bitterly cold we have only had snow 2 or 3 times in the 5 years we have lived here but can see it on the fell tops all around 
then we are only 100yds from the salt marsh where incidentally the lamb graze for Holker Salt marsh lamb which is delicious
then we are only 100yds from the salt marsh where incidentally the lamb graze for Holker Salt marsh lamb which is deliciousLovely place you live in, Gilly. We often nip over there for the day, good for bird and butterfly watching. When it's clear, we also look out for the Isle of Man (and the Calf of Man)! Pretty stormy there today, no doubt.