Last year I didn’t really pay much notice of what types of eggs I was eating until one day a friend of mine gave me a box of Gelling’s Free Range Chicken Eggs. One Omellete later and I have to say I have never gone back to the bland supermarket eggs that I once ate.

Gelling’s Farm is based in Baldrine and you can see the Chicken barns from the road as you are driving to Laxey. The Chickens have loads of room to run free around the fields and shelter in the barn if they wish, all contributing to the health of the Chickens and ultimately the flavour of the eggs. I also recently read that they are struggling to keep up with local demand, so word has obviously got around and this year it is reported that Gelling’s will produce a million eggs for sale on the Island this year – fantastic.

Compared to the awful supermarket eggs, I would describe the Gelling’s eggs as tasting stronger,  richer with a more buttery flavour, which in my mind ticks all the boxes. Gelling’s will produce a million eggs for sale on the Island next year.

So its a big thumbs up to  Mark Baines and Tracey Gelling (and all the Chickens!) for all their hard work and effort in to producing such a great product. And if you want to get your hands on some, you can purchase them direct from the farm shop,  via Isle of Man Creamery’s daily milk rounds, or local supermarkets.

Gourmet Shark verdict: Eggselent great tasting eggs from happy Manx Chickens. Once you’ve tried you will never go back to the dark side!

I got myself a couple of bottles of the Green Mann Spring water to try. This is a local water from the lowlands of Ballbrooie, not far from St Johns. What it says on the bottle is that the rain that falls on the Slieau Whallin hill runs down to create subterranean streams into Ballabrooie and these waters then rise up hundreds of feet below ground to make a pure natural water, all of which does sound rather nice! Not being a water expert I chilled the bottle in the fridge overnight, I did once hear that most of the flavour of water is determined by the temperature!. After chilling I cracked open the Grolsch like bottle seal (like the ones we used to collect as key rings when we were younger!) and poured a nice glass. It was really pretty good – for water anyway. It tasted crisp and fresh for a still spring water. I don’t think I will be buying it all the time as I don’t mind the local tap water, but for the ocassional dinner party or gathering I think I will definately get a few bottles and it comes in still or sparkling as well which is good.

Gourmet Shark verdict – quirky bottle with a nice clean fresh taste. Definate thumbs up and hope people at least give it a try.