While the deluge of snow brings most of Britain to a standstill (sorry but it still makes me laugh!) it has meant for another busy week here in the valley. Some of us have even managed to get up the hill to play in it and remind ourselves why we live here. I, personally, dream of being snowed in and unable to get to work but alas life in well prepared Cham evokes memories of snowy days at school when I was always practically the only classmate who’d made it in. Cursing the fact I didn’t have to get a bus, lived round the corner and owned a rather unattractive pair of wellies!

2010 has started well. There’s something wonderful about the clean slate a new year can bring. A solitary, slightly loose skinned, satsuma left in the fruit bowl reminds us we better start eating healthily again, and maybe think about putting into play some of those optimistic (shot induced) resolutions!

We are still clutching at the ebbing festive feeling and the hospitality industry belated Christmas/new year party (maybe I should consider a catchier title for next year!) is a GO. Anyone up for it please keep Monday 18th Jan free. I am closing the bar for the night so it will be a BYO food and booze do. For the food I’m hoping everyone will bring something Christmassy, maybe something you had every intention of eating on the 25th but never got round to (excluding aforementioned Satsuma!). Please let me know if you would like to come and what you are going to bring so I can try and fill the gaps. It would be a wonderful change to eat a balanced meal since all us hospitality types have consumed since the beginning of December is advent calendar chocolate, toast, cereal and anything else we can eat in 5 minutes on the hoof!

Our first sushi and live music night was a huge success. Miranda got to show off a little of her Asian cooking skills and wowed us with her beautifully prepared, sumptuous tasting sushi. Jon’s playing fitted the mood perfectly and it was all sooo good we’re doing it again this Thursday, and the one after…

Now we have a little time to gather our thoughts we’ll be making a few changes to the menu to keep even you seasoned locals on your toes!

Hope to see you soon