The road trip that started it all with Enzo

Our first road trip with Enzo

We'd booked the Isle of Man with our good friends Andy and Hayley and originally intended to take our 3.0-litre Jaguar XF.

But with the Slock Mountain Run closed exclusively for our tour, I started wondering whether now was the time for something different to really make the most of it.

The XK had always been the dream, but after seeing F-Types at various shows, the looks, performance and more modern technology won me over.

Buying Enzo

Tracy and I travelled to Manchester to look at Enzo, did the deal and a few days later we were driving him home. Not long after that, we were on our way to the Isle of Man, getting to know our new F-Type while discovering somewhere new at the same time.

We'd booked the four-night break through Scenic Car Tours, taking the ferry from Liverpool to Douglas alongside Andy and Hayley in Andy's Jaguar S-Type R. We were based at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino.

Not the fanciest hotel, but the parking was excellent and that mattered with a car park full of interesting machinery.

We were there just a few weeks before the TT, with preparations underway and barriers already starting to appear around the course.

Putting Enzo to the test

First came the Slock Mountain Run.

Fast and flowing in places, tighter and more technical in others, with climbs and fantastic views, it was exactly the sort of road we'd bought Enzo to enjoy.

And he was absolutely the right choice.

Tracy joined me in the passenger seat and I have to say she had nerves of steel. As first proper outings in a new F-Type go, it was certainly a memorable one.

Taking on the TT route with Tracy navigating was equally special. There's something about driving those famous roads for yourself, with all the history, scenery and landmarks we'd seen so many times before.

More than just the driving

Afterwards, we slowed things down with afternoon tea at Creg-ny-Baa before joining the rest of the tour at the TT Grandstand for a photoshoot. We also signed the wall at Victory Café on Dunlop Corner and spent a morning exploring the Isle of Man Motor Museum.

The Sound Café was a must-see too. With its location, views, food and the chance to watch the seals, it was well worth a visit. We also found a lovely Pan-Asian restaurant near the Sefton Hotel in Douglas, one of those unplanned finds that sticks in the memory.

What really added to the weekend was the camaraderie. There were always conversations happening in the hotel car park or when everyone gathered at places such as Creg-ny-Baa and the grandstand.

The Scenic Car Tours organisers were excellent too, helpful throughout and a big part of what made everything work so well.

After four nights, we caught the ferry from Douglas to Heysham and made our way home having properly got to know Enzo.

Looking back, we couldn't have picked a better first adventure with him. We bought the F-Type to make the most of the Isle of Man and returned knowing we'd made the right decision. It also set the tone for plenty of road trips that have followed since.