New Year's Eve 2016 (Pickwell)

A lovely quiet New Year's Eve with Lee and Su at the country retreat that is Wingfield Hall. Su made us a Beef Wellington which was a first for us and very very nice indeed! We brought chocolate orange cheesecake, brownies and flapjacks for pud. Was all very chilled until midnight and then we played 80's Trivial Pursuit, which we eventually won by the narrowest of margins. All in all, a perfect end to a sometimes less than perfect year. 

Christmas Choccy Haul!

3 bags of Thorntons
1 bag of Mini Eggs
1 Hotel Chocolat Sleekster
5 Bars of Montezuma Chocolate
3 Boxes of Matchmakers
6 Hotel Chocolat Tasters
1 Bag of Hotel Chocolat Puddles
1 box of White Lindors
2 Caramac Bars
1 Box of Maltesers
2 Hotel Chocolat H-Boxes
1 box of M&Ms
1 big White Toblerone

Plus (not in the picture)

2 Boxes of Thorntons
1 Box of Lily O'Brien chocs

R.I.P. - Minky

SHOPPING: Leicester (including Patisserie Valerie)

So because Rose needed a battery in her watch, we ended up going into Leicester the weekend before Christmas. But we were smart and got there early, and it was okay. Nothing terribly exciting to write about except for two things:

First of all, we went to Tarretts on Market Street to see if they had any Tudor Clair de Rose. They didn't, indeed it seems no one in the United Kingdom does... but they were very helpful and professional (unlike Goldsmiths) and told us that if it's in stock elsewhere it can be sourced in 7-10 days, but if not then it takes 4-6 weeks from Switzerland. It's a pity these guys don't do TAG Heuer as they were exactly how a high end jeweller should be.

The other thing of note was that we finally purchased a couple of cakes from Patisserie Valerie. It was almost inevitable that they would be a disappointment and indeed they were. We bought the Mixed Berry Mousse and the Chocolate Mousse and found both wanting.

Disappointing.

The chocolate mousse itself was okay, if a little bland, but the sponge at the bottom was shite and I didn't even bother with it after the first mouthful. The berry mousse was insipid and reminded me of Ski strawberry yoghurt only with less flavour. The best bit was the raspberry on top. Such a shame, a) because they look so nice, and b) because they cost £2.95 each (which I would gladly pay if they tasted nice).

Also spotted the rare and valuable 'Hugo Boss' Rolex Daytona (£375) and a hilarious 'Ben di Lisi' watch in Debenhams with fake chrono dials for £30. I mean really, just kill yourself.

MEAL OUT: The Grey Goose (Gilmorton)

Another trip to the Grey Goose, this time on our own on a Thursday evening. Started with bread and butter, followed by a tiny cup of soup (just enough) which was a very spicy concoction. We both had steaks which were lovely, and to finish we shared a very nice tangerine cheesecake with a raspberry sorbet.

Marquess of Exeter (Lyddington)

Another new place, quite a trek this one (about half an hour each way, giving Lee and Su the full Moonspell 'Extinct' experience), was it worth the trip? Well, kind of..

Of course it's two weeks before Xmas so the place is rammed with parties, hence we are in the bar, which is okay, except for two things. There's a very warm fire burning and because we're on our own we get a bit forgotten to start with.

Rose and I shared a starter of the Hambleton Bakery Bread Basket... just as well, as it wasn't so much a basket as a small loaf! Very nice, it must be said amd at £2.50 a bit of a bargain really.

Rose and I had steak, mine was nice apart from one end which was very chewy. And though perhaps technically 'medium/well done' in appearance there was no disguising the blood oozing onto my plate. Not nice.

Unfortunately Rose felt ill during the meal and didn't eat much of hers, though she said it was quite nice, especially the chips. They also managed to follow the basic instruction not to dress the salad, which was a point in their favour.

Overall it was frightfully okay, and maybe worth another visit next year.