Windswept island romance

Do you ever dream of being by the sea? I do. My everyday life is land-locked, but every now and again the lure of the coast becomes strong. Blowing away the cobwebs. Such a trite expression, but it’s true. Being by the sea fills me with clean, clear feelings.

Last weekend we flew to the Isle of Man, a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea. It’s always the windiest place on the earth, but sometimes that’s just what you need. I felt worn out, and a bit worn down. The air here is energising and intense. A few hours spent walking the coast here makes you feel like you’ve been blown inside out. There’s no place for stagnant feelings to hide – and my mind felt fresh and unburdened.

I packed light with jeans and jumpers, but squeezed in one pretty, romantic dress to wear on the island. Because who says you can’t dress like a Pre-Raphaelite on the beach if you want to? The purply-red rocks and bright blue sea at Langness Peninsula were the perfect match for this dress from the Morris & Co x H&M collaboration. I was lucky enough to nab one in the Cambridge store on the day they came out and fell in love with its ridiculous floaty beauty. Be warned, when on the island it’s best accessorised with some thermals.

The William Morris x H&M collection is mostly sold out online. Which is irritating, because I wanted to show you exactly where to find this dress. You may still find it in store though, as it was actually already sold out online when I bought it on the day it came out! Ridiculous, right? I’d rather brands just made more of these collections rather than making people rush to buy them – or miss out altogether. That’s the point though, I suppose. You can see the full collection here.

If you fancy an island getaway of your own, then we flew from London City. We stayed at the George in Castletown – a friendly hotel not far from the airport. The rooms were gorgeous and not at all expensive (unlike the British Airway fights, sadly). Castletown is a great place to base yourself and there are beautiful coastal walks within easy reach – plus a lovely beach in the town.

These photos were shot at the Langness Peninsula, which is a short drive from Castletown. You could also cycle or walk out here.