Simple things

It's amazing how the simple things sometime just count for everything.

Good company? check.
Great food ( Eyston arms, East Hendred)? Check
Beautiful nature ( The Ridgeway, Red Kites, snowdrops)? Check
Winter /Spring weather? Check, sunshine, lovely breeze, lots of ozone.

An excellent day.

Well that is phase one over and done with.

So, today was a significant day, as the house now feels very empty.

All of the furniture being taken has now gone, only a few ornaments and odds and sods remain.

Oh and the lodger has gone too, so peace and quiet returns to the household.
I will make a prediction- i should be in new house in 7 weeks time.

Fingers well and truly crossed. 

Some favourite places to eat and drink

Ok so it cannot have escaped your attention that I am a big fan of good food and dining out, so as part of my new public service, i have started to collate all of my favourite eating and drinking establishments into a Pinterest board .
If it is on here, i would recommend it. Please invite me if you go anywhere on the list too :o)

Favourite pubs, inns and restaurants.

Glee Comedy Club, Oxford

OK so i went for a night out in Oxford, fast becoming a favourite place.
Quick meal at SoJo Chinese Restaurant , then onto Glee Comedy club .

Among the acts were the actually hilarious Ian Moore ,

and also Neil Mcfarlane ,
I haven't laughed that much in a very long time. Was a great feeling, troubles just floated away.
Would recommend both if you are in need of a chortle or 12.

Food experiences

So the last two weekends have been interesting food(ie) wise; two fairly opposing ends of the market gave spectacular results.

Last weekend, a trip to Heston's pub the Hinds head in Bray, was particularly interesting. Wonderful building, rickety and creaking floors that moved, lovely big fireplaces, nooks and snugs with tables in. Very inviting indeed.

Food was, as you might expect given the reputation, superb. Quail scotch eggs, a nice nibble to start the meal,  Raw venison carpaccio with basil and horseradish dressing was delicious, as was my Aberdeen Angus steak fillet.
Service was just right, helpful, friendly and intuitive. Bill was, well, substantial at £75 a head. But a four course meal with excellent wine was going to be nothing but that here.

Contrast this with Sojo in Oxford, on the Hythe bridge road; dark wood beams, dimly lit interior, plain tables. Taken to a table at the top end of the restaurant, where you can see the chefs working away.
Menu is substantial, several hundred things to choose from.
In the end, i decided on taking a recommendation from the waitress, because i had heard that the food here was authentically Chinese. So Sweet soy Shanghai braised pork hock,, Szechaun red peppercorn deep fried spicy Prawns, Stir fried Gan Bian fine beans and steamed rice it was then.

Think it was one of the best Chinese meals i have ever eaten. Such strong powerful flavours, but nothing over-dominated. Staff were friendly, the recommendations were spot on. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, atmosphere lunchtime was superb. Definitely worth a visit.Not too pricey at all, £25 a head including a few glasses of excellent wine.
Menu of delights:Choose from here