Have you ever noticed that sometimes, no matter how much you plan, no matter how careful you are, there is always something lurking in the woodwork ready to jump out and make a fool of you?

You could be having a picnic on top of South Barrule when you realise that you have forgotten the sandwiches.

You could have unlocked the boot of the car, put the keys back in your coat pocket, slung the wet coat in the boot and slammed the lid shut.

Or you could be the clerk of the course at the TT. I have never met Mr Gary Thompson but he is a man who must have nerves of steel.

No matter what he did or what he planned to do, the fairies were not on his side this year.

It seemed as though his stamina was being tested to the absolute limit.

I am not a close follower of the races, but as do many other folk that I speak to do, I enjoy the coverage that Manx Radio gives to the event.

Obviously we can’t control the weather but this year, when you listened to the weather forecasts, it really did seem personal.

But the clerk of the course kept his cool, the competitors kept everyone on the edge of their seats and the event finished in fine style.

The television coverage showed the island at its best, and Manx Radio, as always, was excellent.

Sadly, one of the competitors lost his personal race. I hope that Daley Mathison’s family can take some comfort from the island-wide sympathy and respect shown at this sad time. The TT Course can be a hard master.

So, what do you think of the prom? It’s a nice colour, if you like pink. And what about the horse trams?

The other day, we drove past a puzzled looking horse. If you can imagine a horse scratching its head, you’ll know what I mean.

If horses could talk, this one would be asking the driver ’Is that it?’

This year, a ride on the tram won’t last as long as your ice cream. The horse is harnessed to the tram and the driver climbs aboard. A few hundred yards later it has reached the end of the line and is re-hooked to the other end and is driven back to the start. I can’t wait to meet Ray Harmer and have a chat.

And finally, d’you remember last week when we were talking about what motivates folk to stand for election to either parliament or the local commissioners?

I mentioned that we still lived in Onchan, but we really lived in Garff. Or was it the other way round?

So, on Saturday morning, myself and Brown Eyes were having a spot of breakfast when the nine o’clock news came on the wireless.

Well, I nearly fell off my revolving chair.

The news reader started to read an article about residents in Onchan who were still confused with the boundary changes that affected those who lived on the Howstrake side of the Village.

The reporter had apparently contacted a member of the commissioners, who admitted that it was a fact that there were indeed some local residents, in particular some elderly local residents, who were still unsure about how they were affected by the changes.

Is that so? The poor old souls.

Two things are now clear.

One is that Manx Radio gets a copy of the Indy, and the second is that at least one member of the commissioners has mentioned the elderly.

I think that I will look up the column about the 23 bus for next week.

And finally, it must be a couple of months since there was an open mic poetry night at the Bath and Bottle in Victoria Street. Instigator, organiser and wielder of the whip, the one and only Hazel Teare has reminded me that the next event is on Thursday, June 20, from 8pm.

Old hands or first timers, it’s all good fun, and all free. Have a go or have a chuckle.

See you there.

A decade ago Pullyman - aka Michael Cowin - was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, a condition that affects people in different ways. Michael discovered writing and Island Life is featuring some of his musings. Sometimes topical, sometimes nostalgic, read about life as seen through the eyes of Pullyman