A number of Manx producers and locations have been praised by watchmaker Roger Smith OBE after he was asked by the Financial Times to describe his perfect weekend in the island.

He said he likes to make the most of his weekend: ’Watchmaking is intense, so I’m relieved when Saturday comes around. Since our children arrived, lie-ins have become a thing of the past, but I relish the chance to make the most of a work-free day.’

The weekend starts with a good breakfast: ’The morning begins with breakfast using eggs from A & D Poultry near our home.

’Our eldest daughter likes pancakes, but for me only poached eggs will do, with sourdough bread from the Noa Bakehouse in Douglas,’ he said.

’All the ingredients are local and the entire process is on view, as the bakery forms part of a great restaurant. People think island life means things have to be brought in, but almost everything is made, grown or raised right here.’

The family would first head to Ayres Nature Reserve before heading for lunch at Milntown in Ramsey.

From there, they would go to the Gaiety Theatre with its ’fabulous gilded ceilings’.

Following an early show at the theatre, he and his family later enjoy queen scallops - recently voted as the island’s national dish - at Little Fish Cafe on Douglas Quay.

’Exhausted, we head home, but by Sunday morning I’m revived and will go for a long bike ride.

’I became a convert when we moved to our current home close to Mount Snaefell,’ he continued.

Olympic Manx cyclists Peter Kennaugh and Mark Cavendish are referred to along with bike shops Bikestyle and Eurocycles in Douglas.

The family would then catch a steam train to Port Erin to tuck into a picnic and Davison’s ice creams.

Bushy’s beer, Fynoderee gin and Foraging Vintners’ sparkling wine were also given the nod.

The article was published in print and online this month.