The Gardener's Cottage for a birthday lunch

Our friends Katharine and Jack have their birthdays at the beginning of December. Today we celebrated both over lunch at The Gardener's Cottage (blipped).

We all chose the set menu: madeleines with pea mousse; sourdough bread and crème fraîche; cauliflower soup with curry foam; braised beef with parsnips and mashed potato; and poached pear with sorbet, chocolate mousse and red wine sauce. As if this were not enough, Jack and Mr hazelh went a little bit crazy and ordered dessert wine, the tiniest of cheeseboards (they were not to know), and a couple of glasses of port.

Afterwards at home the party continued with drinks, chocolates, catch-up television (Only connect and University challenge), guitar playing and singing.

Oh, and this morning we did five loads of washing, worked on our Christmas newsletter, caught up on some computer admin, and put up the Christmas tree and lights.

Exercise today: none to speak of (no time!)