That's a bit sad Shayne, sorry to here that. It's hard if you don't know a place very well, like most places, those in the know can take you to places that look nothing on a map and don't appear at all in the brochures.
I'm with you on the seaside thingy, I was born in Birmingham, jut about the furthest place from the seaside in the UK.
As I don't like cities much at all, when I got the chance to move to Cardigan for a 3 year job, I jumped at it! Loved the place and ended up buying a cute stone cottage in a small village called Hermon (y-Glogue). It was Welsh speaking which I learned very little, but I managed to make very good friends there. I had 2 boats, a 16 ft 2 berth sailing boat and a little ski boat with a Suzi twin 60 HP 2 stroke outboard.
I had a ball sailing and skiing on the Teifi with friends. We BBQd at Gwbert and did loads of sea/beach related stuff. Moved to Swansea (Grovesend) and continued the fun on the Gower this time. 15 years spent in West/South Wales, loved it.
Now you have to drag me to the beach! My passion is the mountains, bikes & 4x4.
All part of life's rich pattern.
The IOW has more than seaside to offer, but you really need a local guide to see the best of it.
Cheers
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