You don't really need an excuse to go somewhere. If you want to go, you just go. But sometimes it's nice to have a reason, something that MAKES you stick to Plan A, come what may.

1.
Day: Friday 10
Destination: Ramsey
Excuse: A routine hospital check

More sunny weather. More glorious light:








Often on these occasions I'll pack up a picnic. But it's so unwontedly WARM at the moment, and we figured that by the time we'd walked down for the bus, done the 50-minute journey to Ramsey, and done the appointment, our packed provisions might be less than fresh... Cue The Tasty Bite, who'll fill you a nice fresh salad bowl according to your preference:




We also called in at Lilee's Tearoom and Bistro. We just had coffee, but judging by the tempting aromas, it's a place that would repay a return visit:



***

2.
Day: Friday 17
Destination: Glen Helen
Excuse: Meeting a friend; checking out a recently re-opened cafe

Glen Helen was a favourite evening or weekend destination for my family when I was a kid. A short walk would takes us to a very pretty waterfall; there was a nice playground; and there used to be a tea-room, housed in the chalet-style "Swiss Cottage".

The Terns hadn't been here for absolutely ages...

We caught the magic bus to St Johns, and then walked to the glen via Tynwald Mills.



You have to follow the road, and this wasn't the greatest idea at that going-to-work time in the morning. There's a footpath, but there's a lot of traffic keeping you company.

Still, it's scenic, as you're following the river:




Arriving at the glen, the childhood me immediately recognized the swan fountain:


The glen is still really pretty, although damage from earlier storms keeps the path on the other side of the river closed, so you have to go up and back the same way.

But the Rhenass waterfall is as good as ever (and surprisingly abundant, given all the dry weather we've been having). There are also some magnificent trees:







The Swiss Cottage has recently been repurposed as a farm shop and deli selling local produce (which all looked really good, and were it not for the warm temperatures and the prospects of two bus rides to get home, we would have done some purchasing).

The farm shop also offers light meals, but we'd arranged to meet a friend at The Lodge, which is nearer the entrance. It was a nice visit. Would return.

If you time things right, you can pick up a bus to Peel directly from Glen Helen. But they're not frequent, hence the need for careful programming.

In Peel we swapped onto the magic bus, which drops us off close to home. Unfortunately, it was one of the minibuses. A sensible provision, of course, for the less frequented routes. But hot. Very hot. And unfortunately one of the passengers was the most rancid dog we'd ever encountered, so it felt like a long journey...

***

3.
Day: Tuesday 21
Destination: Port Erin
Excuse: Having our hair cut

Just a quick trip, time now being a bit tight, what with going away next week and all...

But very pleasant. A picnic lunch, a cup of coffee from Red, a bit of a potter round Port Erin's shops...




***

Long live excuses...