The Calf of Man is a remote island in the Irish Sea, just off the coast of the Isle of Man. It is a nature reserve, with just four permanent residents who live off-grid, monitoring wildlife and maintaining the wild habitats. Guy joins these wardens in their conservation work, trying his hand at birdwatching, rat catching and cleaning up a beach that's a favourite with pregnant seals.
Guy helps repair the fake puffins designed to attract the real thing, gets hands on with a local bird that had been thought extinct (but is now one of British conservation's biggest success stories) and, of course, finds a way to get covered in oil as he repairs the island's only tractor.
Living in an abandoned lighthouse and surviving on ration packs isn't for everyone, but for Guy it is a profound experience that takes him closer to nature and allows him to form a unique bond with the other wardens. It offers the busy truck mechanic and motorcycle racer both a time for reflection, and valuable lessons in conservation, such as what a birdwatcher means when they discuss the importance of jizz and shags…
