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" We forget how truly isolated a place like the Isle of Man could be _in_postwar_Britain_."

60+ years ago was a bit different, I'm sure

As a place that could spawn tales as tall as Gef, the Talking Mongoose[1] just before the war, it's fair to say the Isle of Man was very isolated...

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gef

It's four hours by ferry, or 2 hours 45 by fast catamaran ferry, from Liverpool. It's pretty close. It used to be a big tourist destination in the Victorian age when there weren't cheap flights.

It's been for many, many years and still is a mecca for motor cycle road racers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man_TT

I've just realised that I read "Isle of Wight" for "Isle of Man", which invalidates my comment entirely. Maybe I was thinking of the IoW music festival.

I think you have to remember how far back we're talking.