Experiment, week 6. This week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful.

1. Elveden Estate Shop. Not going to say any more about that here as I wrote about it earlier in the week.



2. Cats. We love our two cats, even when they (threaten) to throw up on the clean bed linen on Christmas morning. Harry has spent a large part of the last few days insisting on inhabiting my desk with me. He was last seen asleep in my grandfather’s chair in the dining room. Sally is currently reclining on the back of the sofa over the radiator (see photo). Somehow they always manage to get their priorities right!
3. Gin. Amongst my presents were two bottles of gin! A bottle of Sipsmith’s London Dry Gin: very nice and juniper-y. And a bottle of Martin Miller’s Icelandic Gin: still distinctly gin but closer to vodka than the Sipsmith’s. Standard Gordon’s tastes bland against both of these. So now there are at least three different flavours of gin in the house. This bodes well (or maybe not!).
4. Fairy Lights on Trees. One of the things I like about Christmas is fairy lights, especially on trees. Christmas trees are good, but even better are fairy lights, lots of fairy lights, on ordinary trees in the street — at any time of the year. Somehow they always make the place look fun and festive.



5. King’s Head at Bawburgh. I’d not eaten pigeon in years until earlier this week when we had lunch in the King’s Head at Bawburgh, just outside Norwich. Two breasts made a small starter but they were excellently tasty and gamey — almost like liver. That marks this pub out as something special: gastro-pub food to die for, with many locally sourced ingredients, and at sensible prices. Since my student days they’ve had a reputation for good beer and good food. If you’re anywhere near Norwich, the King’s Head is an excellent place to eat: not just for the food but also several good real ales (including the local Adnams); friendly staff; an old building in a small village complete with river and mill; and not over busy on a weekday lunchtime (but busier at weekends).