The island’s highest pie manufacturer has told the Examiner she has had an ’amazing’ first TT.

Vicky Quirk is the owner of Betty Pie Company, which has a new base in the former motorbike museum at The Bungalow.

While the weather impacted on the number of race days, it certainly didn’t dampen her mood or that of her customers.

’We opened our doors on Monday of practice week and it’s been amazing,’ Vicky said.

She added that she was baffled that people found the business because, with the fog that cloaked the course during TT, ’people couldn’t see the building’.

Most of the customers were visitors to the island. Vicky put up a board for people to write their country on and had customers from as far afield as Japan and Lebanon.

She added: ’Had it been a normal TT, we wouldn’t have managed. We would have had to shut the doors. We only just about managed.

’I think our business was spread by word of mouth - people recommending places to eat around the course. The general atmosphere was good. Everyone seemed really happy, despite the weather.’

The Betty Pie Company will be open again for the Manx Grand Prix later in the year and then will have an official opening in 2020.

campsites

Campsites around the island have had a good fortnight too.

Fiona Brumby, who owns Silly Moos campsite at Ballakillingan Farm just outside Ramsey, said the north of the island hadn’t had as much rain as the rest and her guests were still looking for places to stay dry.

She said: ’There hasn’t been as much rain up north and the atmosphere has been particularly good.

’We have a leisure barn with games to play and people can make teas and coffees. It cost me an arm and a leg in tea and coffee.

’If I hadn’t have had this barn, we wouldn’t have done as well. It has helped us tremendously.’

Fiona said that the campsite had organised extra entertainment for visitors, adding: ’The weather hasn’t dampened the TT spirit.’

Elaine Cain, who takes bookings for Peel AFC’s campsite at its Douglas Road home said the club had been fully booked.

Elaine added: ’They all had a lovely time in spite of the weather. All of them booked early, by February. We didn’t have anyone walking in last minute.

’We’re not a big campsite [but] there’s a good team up here.’

’We have a clubhouse where we provide breakfast and beverages with a TV and we hold a quiz night.

’People booked for next year because they liked Peel and our facilities.’

Busy time for pubs, page 8.