Charles Price's #MyBiosphere

'Why do you love the Isle of Man so much?'

It's hard to put my finger on the reason, because there are so many.

I've seen many of the world's nicest places (and some not so nice!) and I can honestly say, arriving home as I step off my commuter flight at Ronaldsway a sense of calm and tranquility settles over me as I breathe in the fresh, clean Manx air.

My wife and I spend much of our leisure time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of the Island, walking with our totally loopy Labradoodle.

True to Charles Guard's video title, the Isle of Man really is 'An Island of Contrasts'.

If it's raining, then the daily walk will be into one of the many plantations, Cringle being one of my favourites, where you can wander the paths under the shelter of the dense canopy of the forest, the subtle green light filtering through, if there is a gap, beams of sunlight reach the forest floor you'll see the vibrant greens of ferns and mosses bringing new life.

The people of Japan partake in the pastime of 'forest bathing', something easily accomplished on our Island.

If it's windy, then we'll walk in one of the many sheltered glens, the beauty of nature plain to see.

Many glens run down to the coast, where we are treated to spectacular views of the sea which can be truly awesome, a reminder of the sheer unstoppable power of nature.

On calm days we'll venture out into some of the Island's wide open countryside. Langness Peninsular, another favourite, is where we've been lucky enough to see some of the abundant wildlife that surrounds us: sea birds, grey seals, dolphins, even the world's second largest fish, the basking sharks that feed close to shore. These can be eight meters in length.

There are some new residents here, three very impressive Highland cattle wearing their thick coats, being youngsters. Their horns are small, but they will grow.

A less energetic day may be spent heading over to the west coast to Peel. You can't beat a fresh crab bap from the stall on the harbour's edge.

A regular walk right on my doorstep takes the 'Golden Road', an ancient footpath, lined with tall hedgerows of blackberry and honeysuckle, that runs from Port Erin climbing up to the Mull Circle, a burial site which dates back to 3500BC, 1000 years older than the Pyramids.

From here it's an easy walk down the hill to my local, The Bay Hotel, Port Erin, for a pint of the best Manx beer, brewed, of course, in accordance with the Manx brewing laws. And, yes, dogs are allowed in with well-behaved owners.