We have been out this week enjoying a few sunny days at last - it does look as though spring is finally on the way. We walked through the churchyard at Newchurch to enjoy the last of the snowdrops, as the carpet of purple crocuses was just beginning to open up in the morning sun.

On the way we passed one of our favourite pubs - The Pointer Inn, Newchurch, a great place for an excellent home-cooked pub meal in a friendly atmosphere. As well as very good food, this little pub is the heart of the community, and visitors can expect to meet some local characters at the bar, and maybe even eat some very local food, as the kitchen does have a habit of swapping homegrown vegetables for beer!

Another find this week was out at Gurnard, where we tried The Watersedge Beach Cafe. It’s somewhere that lots of people had recommended but for some reason we’d never yet been to. We had a lovely lunch there overlooking the Solent. Matt ate fried squid - an unexpected feature on a cafe menu, and not an unwelcome one either.

We’re looking forward to seeing what else is going to be on the menu this year, as many other places are opening up again after a winter refurb. Some new faces, such as Justin Brown at The Farringford, who says he’s aiming for a Michelin star; and some familiar ones, such as The Royal Hotel, which has reopened after its customary new year break, with a new springtime afternoon tea menu. It's going to be a good year of eating out on the Island!

Matt and Cat confirmed events Spring 2012