That’s going to be an expensive taxi! – Isle of Wight Observer News

The Island’s names are causing confusion across the globe following the recent mix-up we highlighted between Newport and Newport, Wales.

This time, our Australian cousins have got Cowes muddled up with Cowes on Phillip Island, Victoria, in Perth, more than 10,000 miles away.

A couple of weeks ago, the IW Observer reported how a Post Office van spotted in Brighstone came complete with a Post Brenhinol logo, which is the Welsh name for the Royal Mail. The van was intended for the Island but was incorrectly fitted with Welsh livery on one side.

Now, drinkers in Cowes, Victoria, have been in touch with Cowes Taxis, looking for cabs to get home after a night out.

Cowes Taxis owner, Peter Dibsdale, 63, has got so fed-up he contacted the Phillip Island local paper to ask if they could alert their readers to the problem.

Peter has run the business for the last 10 years but the number of calls from Australian punters, normally during the afternoon after their pubs close, has increased. He said: “I think they come out of the pub at closing time and just they Google Cowes Taxis not realising it’s Cowes, Isle of Wight.

“It happens quite regularly and is quite funny, but can be frustrating if we’re busy. One guy asked for a fare from Cowes to Ventnor, another place over there! I thought that this was a decent fare and asked where he wanted to be picked up from. But when he told me the name of the road and his location, I said it didn’t exist here! When we both realised, we had a laugh about it.

“On another occasion, I got an international number phoning wanting a cab from Cowes and said to the person that he had the wrong country. However, he was actually here during Cowes week and wanted a lift back to his yacht!

“It’s all a bit of fun and light-hearted, but it can be very irritating.”

Even more confusing is the fact that Phillip Island’s former pub was called the Isle of Wight.