SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Usually nature's barometer lets us know of spring's arrival and this year according to my daffs spring began in January! Down here on the Island it has been an unusually mild winter coupled with a regular deluge of rain, and although this has done little for the state of the Island's roads it has helped raise our water table away from the critical levels of the past year. This has equally left me a little saddened as with last years hosepipe ban it made many do away with their chintzy hanging baskets and plant some drought tolerant species, with no hosepipe ban on the horizon for 2007 will we see the return of the mighty hanging basket? Prizes for the best pics of over-the-top thirsty flora displays!

So what else is new? It wasn't just the residents of Branscombe that benefited from the booty washed ashore from the MSC Napoli, a few weeks back the Island's shore we awash with beauty products, shampoo, oranges, chocolates etc. from the stricken vessel. My mother now has a nice bevy of Lancôme products that should see her through to the end of the year!

After 4 years of hard work Green Island is now a bit of a local buzz word, even the Isle of Wight Council's PR team have picked up on it...they have come up with this brand-new exciting concept...it is called...wait for it...'Green Island'...I think I should write that one down!

We have some great new members for 2007; these include a selection of funky eco-chic holiday lets in Gurnard Marsh, the Island's answer to Carmel-by-the-Sea. One of our top members Afton Park changed hands last year, all winter I have been popping-by and wondering what the hell Paul & Michaela (new proprietors) are doing to the place (?), but after heading there for lunch on Sunday afternoon it has all become clear. It is fantastic and a great step forward. There is a new courtyard dining area, that even has demonstration vegetable gardens (Kids/Family/Cooks), they are running vegetable gardening courses, the flower meadow is starting to come alive, the gardens have had some remodelling and they have even added a farm shop! A definite must if you are visiting the Island this spring/summer.

Steve's 2007 tip-top recommendations;

IoW International Jazz Festival (13th -15th April) - This years event even features 'Jazzcotech', a dedicated Jazz-Dance tent with London's The Jazz Café bringing it's 'Messin' Around club night to the Island's deep south! Ah-Nice!

Walk-the-Wight (May 13th) - Come join me and the other 10,000 walkers for the 26 mile stomp from east to west!

Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival (1st -3rd June) - Featuring 'Wight Bells', the Island's dedicated ladies Morris Dancing Troop, mix this up with plenty of beer and shore-side activities and you've got a cracking weekend!

White Air (27th Aug - 3rd Sept) - White Air has moved! No-longer will we be battered by hurricane force winds during late October; Nigel Howell has moved the event into the main summer season. This year's event will include the arrival of the World Windsurfing Tour to Sandown Bay (a first for the UK). So I'm sure it will offer the best of both extreme water and beach action!

Bestival (7th -9th Sept) - Wipe away your White Air hangover and head straight into the circus that is Bestival. Alice in Wonderland meets music festival. If you've never been this is something not to be missed. Make sure you pack some fancy dress! Chemical Brothers, Beastie Boys & the Levellers make it this year's premier Island music event!