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There are wonderful views across Bay Stacka; to the south is the beguiling Calf of Man, a 600-acre island nature reserve, and on a clear day you can see the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland. At the end of Bay Stacka, look for a small, knee-high footprint sign which ensures you follow the contours of the coast, and you soon reach Spanish Head, the island's southernmost part.The path then rises to a large stone cairn with cracking views in all directions. The path drops steeply, crosses a burn and sweeps up over one last headland before reaching Little Sound, where the caf?s a good place for a break.Climb the stile just beyond the Thousla Cross, a monument to the rescue here in 1858 of the crew of a French schooner, and follow the path up across the inviting green flanks and then through a stretch of narrow, exhilarating rocky coastline. If you suffer from vertigo, don't cross this stile but follow the signposts, heading for the deserted house ahead. Otherwise, cross the stile and explore the Chasms, a series of vertical slate cliffs that tumble thrillingly to the sea, from where a sea stack thrusts dramatically upwards. The slate has fractured under your feet, opening up broad gulches between the footpaths, so walk with care as some of these innocuous-looking fissures go down a long way. Soon you reach a rise and a glance back gives wonderful views over Perwick Bay and Port St Mary.When the road peters out, follow the blue signpost for the coastal path, crossing two stiles.
You then pass through a series of grid-like fields bordered by dry-stone walls. Later, a signpost points you uphill to a gate and then up to a stile. Pass through a green kissing gate and turn left onto the road. Keep ahead through a private estate and follow the public footpath sign up to a fenced path. Then turn left downhill on the road, cross a small stream and keep ahead on what becomes a small country lane. Among restaurants with character is Tanroagan, a waterfront fish bistro in Douglas, a 30-seater outlet run by a chef who cooks what his boat catches each day.This month's walk tackles a small section of the island's 95-mile coastal path, the Manx name for which - Raad ny Foillan, or the Road of the Gull - is suitably tough-sounding for such a dramatic path.Start in Port St Mary in the south of the island, and make your way to Clifton Road on the coast. Follow the road to the edge of a golf course and take the path to the left of the concrete wall, as it traces the cliffs.
There is a walking festival, now in its second year, which runs from 19-24 June.Walk hard to work up an appetite, for this is an island that prides itself on its cuisine: Manx kippers are everywhere, along with queenies - sweet scallops cooked with bacon and garlic - and a wide range of cheeses. The location The location Off the N25 near Cork. This is a good place to break your journey if you're heading south-west from the ferry port at Rosslare. The proud, creeper-clad house is attached to a dairy farm and stands in rolling fields - the cows are your alarm clock.The USP?How many guest houses have a TV chef on hand to make dinner? Owner Margaret Browne is a f?d small-screen chef.The comfort factorYou won't come here for interior design tips, but you can rely on solid guest-house comfort and warm hospitality There are six rooms. I stayed in a bright and airy one at the top, which had a vast yet snugly dressed bed No TVs in the rooms, just the one in the lounge. But then this place is all about peace and quiet in the countryside. The conservatory, which runs across the front of the property, and the front lawns are pleasant places to relax.The bathroomAll rooms are ensuite.
