B… had some big winners ! Nile Rodgers and his Chic band added the joy. Great sound, great brass and vocals and Rodgers distinctive driving bass …         Added in hindsight (October2021) Gig 8th June 2019 F&F family gathering

All in one day – flights from Luton to Charles du Gaulle then train journeys across Paris but all achieved and we stayed until late. Suzanne Lenglen court was our host for the day- despite the cold weather. Not the most comfortable of arenas to sit and watch but we loved the red clay. Also […]

Back today to follow up on the Christmas debacle. This time root canal work on a recalcitrant molar made much worse because I had already had this tooth worked on last year within the NHS. Sadly for me their skill set was well below par and although now in the hands of a Ferrari team, […]

I must admit, I didn’t quite know what to expect from an own label Tesco ‘Craft Beer’ brew. The Co-op ones are unexpectedly excellent, especially the Mersea Island brewed Growler varieties, but my expectations were a little flakier for the new ‘Revisionist’ Steam Beer. Tesco have jumped on the Craft Beer wagon and it seems […]

My last drop of nectar was a sumptuous glass of Wirra Wirra – the bottle had been opened early in the New Year and not fully consumed and as consequence I was late in starting my sabbatical. I had made a vow long before Christmas festivities began to take an enforced break from the grape […]

Crones… the triple Goddess of Ciders. There’s really nothing quite like it (well, Mrs Forte may tiebreak it with Burrow Hill, but that’s another story), this megalithic brew really does the job. An organic pagan Norfolk beast crafted from the finest apples of albion. It’s a crusty, clean your teeth, cleanse your gut kind of […]

As the last log took to the grate on Boxing Day, I fumbled in the sideboard for something to warm the soul. Goodbye Gangster Granny, hello Elgoods Cherry Stout. This strong little Dark Mild is like bottled Christmas, doubled up from its baby brother Black Dog, it really packs a ballsy dark chocolate driven Cherry […]

Ale + Carols = Christmas. A Carol Service at the local Pub, what a splendid idea. Visit the Holbrook Swan just before Christmas each year and you’ll be greeted with a crowd of rowdy revellers… family and friends, dogs and drunkards (in the nicest sense), preachers and players, and those lovely old ladies that sing […]

Zin the Great… Looking for something a liitle different then check out the overlooked Zinfandel grape. Best expressions come from its home in the USA, especially in California in the form of full flavoured reds, an ideal accompaniment for meat and game. Foremost examples have with a spicy nose with balanced but pronounced dark fruit […]