Bob was my constant garden companion for three years. European robins are tiny compared to American robins

When Tabi won’t come out from under the sheepskin, it’s time to turn up the heat

Tested and retested… The Savoy is truly worth visiting

4am I came downstairs and they had a mouse trapped under a shoe rack in the kitchen. This evening, a wren flew around in the house for ten minutes leading them upstairs and down. I managed to usher both wild fur and feathers out unharmed. It was a big day for cats.

We are beyond proud to announce that our book A Most Noble Water has been placed on the long list for the prestigious André Simon Food and Drink Awards for 2024, and made the Times of London’s list of the top ten food and drink books of 2024!

Rum and umeshu. Soooo good!

And of course there are minis of Mini

Brussels sprouts quartered, tossed in olive oil with salt and pepper. Roasted twenty minutes. Combined with toasted pignolas, lardons and balsamic vinegar in a hot skillet.

Painting this year’s Xmas cards I discovered Jackson Pollock had more fun than other artists

Almost time to roast oranges and lemons again for our annual batch of smoking bishop (the drink Scrooge served to Bob Cratchit at the end of A Christmas Carol)

Once upon a time in a wormwood patch

It was a once in a lifetime chance. We discovered the entire history of gin was wrong. It took seven years of research and writing. Gin didn’t come from Holland. There was no gin craze. Parliament passed no gin acts. The gin and tonic was not consumed as an anti-malarial. Available on Amazon: